Free Patterns and a Give Away!

 
Free downloadable patterns! What is not to love. And a give away too! Even more love. We are working on accumulating a list of resources that will go in a side bar on the blog that can serve as a little spot for you all to go when you need inspiration and you need it for free. We have some ideas (see below) but know that you all have some good things stashed around your bookmarks bar just wanting to appear on our resource list.

In exchange for your resourses, wether they are from your own blog or other places you go for free patterns and projects, you stand to win. By leaving a comment on the blog with a link to a special little free-be, you will be entered to win a Sidewinder bobbin winder and Denyse Schmidt's County Fair fabric swatches (in pic above, the smallest pieces are 11 x 13.5 inches).  Can you imagine? Your very own Sidewinder and fabric swatches!  All for a little old comment.  Oh, and you can enter more than once, just leave another comment with another link.  We will do the old pick-a-number routine Monday afternoon at approximately 3 pm, west coast time.  All are welcome to participate, we will ship the prize within the U.S.  Fun, our first giveaway!  We are excited, and it certainly won't be the last.

Besides getting to work on something for a little less $, my favorite part about free stuff on line is that it is there when you need it, free patterns and all; middle of the night, desire to create sets in and the need for some inspiration, but Bolt is not open. These are all great places to explore and find ideas galore.

Burda Style website--all sorts of trendy, stylish clothing to try out.  Many from their members, folks making up their own clothes.  There are discussion groups too, so you can see what others are saying about a pattern before trying it out.  There is so much great information on this site.  Check it out!

Amy Butler--there's a "free patterns" link on the bottom of the menu on the right side.
The "craft patterns" are for her paper line.  Under the "Sewing Patterns" there are lots of great looking quilt and duvet cover patterns, decor projects, a yoga mat bag, a necklace, pillows and more.

Anna Maria Horner--there are more quilts, a pin cushion, "tote-able towels," a dog leash, a great little tutorial on circles for applique, and a pillow case dress.

The Purl Bee--so many sewing, embroidery, knitting and crochet patterns and projects.  Many of them have photo-rich step-by-step tutorials.

We look forward to seeing your favorites! 

Comments

[Katie]

I love Sew, Mama, Sew. TONS of great tutorials on their blog, and it's really easy to search. http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/

[Leslie L]

I like checking out http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/ for ideas -- from quilts to pillows to runners -- you name and they've got a pattern for it!

[Leslie L]

I've also been experimenting with embroidering on my Bernina lately and find lots of patterns at a great price at http://www.emblibrary.com

[Johanna I.]

These are mostly no-sew or paper projects, but lately I've really been enjoying all of the freebies posted at http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/projects-freebies/. She's even got some free fonts including one that looks like cross stitch.

[Lisa]

This is such a great gift item tutorial, just had to add it to the mix.
http://www.soulemama.com/SouleMamaGratitudeWrap.pdf

[Leslie S]

I love Heather Ross fabric and although there are few patterns she is easy to sew and does such interesting things. check out this site http://heatherross.squarespace.com/

[Kym]

That beautiful pvc-free coated cotton you have in the shop made me instantly think of this free pattern from Betz White posted on http://www.craftstylish.com/item/43227/how-to-make-a-reusable-sandwich-wrap. Can't wait to get some done.

[Laura]

The CRAFT blog has some great sewing projects:
http://blog.craftzine.com/
A couple that I really like:
- Baby snuggler - http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/05/craft_pattern_podcast_snuggler.html
- Bunny pencil case (cute stocking stuffer!) - http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/10/bunny_pencil_case_from_zakka_s.html
- Table runner - http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/08/how-to_sew_a_table_runner.html

[norarachel]

There is a free pdf pattern for an adorable purse at: http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/artsycrafty_babe/2009/06/the-people-have-spoken.html

I will be excited to see the links you collect!

[Shannon F.]

Does Desing Public count? http://www.designpublic.com
I often hop over there to get inspired!

[Johanna I.]

I love Heather Ross' book "Weekend Sewing." She has a couple of great free patterns posted on her blog:

Mendocino Sundress http://heatherross.squarespace.com/download-mendocino-sundress-pa/
Quick Garden Gloves http://heatherross.squarespace.com/download-quick-garden-gloves-p/

[Johanna I.]

Speaking of Heathers, Heather Bailey's website is such a cheerful explosion of color (much like Anna Maria) and she has some free patterns/tutorials on her site including a quilt, pincushion, Halloween sock doll, and paper projects. Look in the right-hand column for Free Patterns at:

http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/

[Anna T.]

I like the tutorials collected on How About Orange!
www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com

[emily*]

http://www.dana-made-it.com/
Love her tutorials, they are easy enough for the not-so-crafty to follow!

[emily*]

One more... http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/

Some great tutorials throughout (fabric and non) but you have to really search the site to find them. They are like hidden treasures!

[emily*]

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

[claudia]

I've been making baby crib sheets using this easy tut, http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/crib-sheet-pattern.html. (Perfect for the new mod flannels!)

The main site has lots of tutorials for baby things, http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/.

[SimplyGeometric]

Love the tutorials on P.S. I Quilt!

http://www.psiquilt.com/ I made one of the friendship bags for my toddler for Halloween :)

[Shannon F.]

A favorite of mine is http://katiedid.squarespace.com/katie-did-journal/category/tutorial - the quilt tutorial is suberb!

[Cherryhouse]

Here's a link for a free quilt pattern pdf I designed called Girl Power, switch out the fabrics, and it's perfect for a little boy too!

http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/freeabee/2008/02/girl-power-free.html

[alison]

There are several blogs that I like to read for both inspiration and for tutorials.

One lovely one is Mairuru, she lives in Japan and has lots of instructions for hand-sewn treats - http://mairuru.blogspot.com/

While "Weekend Designer" has stopped posting, their blog is still chock full of instructions for how to make your own patterns and sew up all kinds of garments and bags - http://wkdesigner.wordpress.com/

For general sewing information there is an active message board at "Stitcher's Guild" and they seem very welcoming to new people - http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php

Another useful resource is "Patternreview", not just for, well, pattern reviews, but also for all kinds of sewing related information - http://sewing.patternreview.com/

[Dempsey]

I like to stop by my local fabric store's blog for some terrific, free tutorials now and then.

http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com/

[katie]

These knee-pad pants are super cute!
http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-knee-pad-pants.html

[katie]

I've made these shoes about a million times. Super easy and great for baby feet.
http://www.family-centered.com/needleworks/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/babyshoetutorial.pdf

[katie]

The Kidlet wall pocket tote is fun to make and looks really polished when it's finished. I've made them for kids, but I also made one for my cousin who was headed to college because I thought it would come in handy in the dorms. http://jchandmade.typepad.com/KidletPDF.pdf