Online Resources
Below are a few of the websites I frequent, other than sewing blogs. It is by no means a complete list and I’ll be slowly adding to it as I remember/re-visit sites.
Pattern, fabric and notion websites are only listed if I have purchased from them personally (unless otherwise noted with an *).
I hate page lists with broken links too so please use the contact form below to notify me of any.
I am sure this list will be under constant revision so remember to check back every now and again.
Sewing Patterns (envelope & downloadable):
- BurdaStyle – Downloadable patterns from BurdaStyle and selected patterns from BurdaStyle magazines
- Sewingpatterns.com – The “Big 4″, Burda, Neue Mode, Kwik Sew, Hot Patterns, New Look, La Fred, Brown Paper and many independent brands. Regular sales, envelope & downloadable patterns (via PrintSew.com)
- Vogue, Butterick & McCalls (also Kwik Sew)- Envelope patterns, join the mailing list to get notifications for new patterns and sales
- Simplicity – Also sells New Look and BurdaStyle envelope patterns, some downloadable patterns available. Postage for international orders is ridiculous, buy from sewingpatterns.com when they have a sale instead.
- Colette Patterns – Amazing independent envelope patterns, super cute, beautifully packaged. Newer patterns available in downloadable format, older patterns will be uploaded soon.
- Sewaholic Patterns - “Sewing patterns for the modern seamstress”
- Deer & Doe – “Pretty Sewing Patterns”
- Sew Daily/Stitch – e-Magazines, e-Patterns and Books
- Papercut Patterns – Beautiful & sustainable envelope sewing patterns – Designed and made in New Zealand

- Lekala - Individually sized downloadable patterns in your measurements as well as standard sizing
- Eliza M Vintage Style Sewing - Vintage inspired sewing patterns*
- My Sewing Machine Addiction – Fantastic blog of the complete stripdown and restoration of a 1940s Singer 201-2
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Free Downloadable Sewing Patterns:
- BurdaStyle – The few remaining free downloadable patterns by BurdaStyle and some from BurdaStyle Magazine
- BurdaStyle (Member Patterns) - Link to free patterns uploaded by members of BurdaStyle
- BurdaStyle German Site – In German, you have to sort of follow your nose and you “purchase” the free patterns (for $0), just keep clicking through, you’ll get them in the end
- Your Style Rocks – Fairly new sewing site, member inspired patterns, regular competitions, free pdf downloads in all sizes A0 or A4
- Peppermint Magazine Sewing School – A new free pattern each month!
- Bernina - A few free dress patterns and instructions
- Modern Sewing Patterns - aka M-Sewing
- PrintSew.com (Click on the ‘Free Patterns’ link at the top)
- Manequim - Selected Manequim patterns (Portuguese)
- Osinka - An “Internet Magazine” in Russian
- Sew Daily – Free ePatterns & projects
- Ralph Pink – Free patterns in PDF format, most in size 10
- Lekala - Occasionally allow free downloading of their patterns in a fixed size (approximately Burda 44 equivalent)
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Magazines:
- BurdaStyle.de - Magazine Archive Page
- Manequim - Preview Page
Vintage Sewing Machines (Identification & Manuals):
- ISMACS International – International Sewing Machine Collectors Society – Lots of great vintage, antique and rare sewing machine information including, serial number search, free manuals, restoration advice, history and fun facts like this and this
- Sandman-Collectibles Singer Sewing Machine Identification - Follow through the questions to identify your Singer machine
- Singer Serial Numbers – Find out when your machine was made
- Singer Product Manuals - Search for your machines manual
- Singer 160th Anniversary Site – Enter your details and your machines serial number to get a cute commemorative certificate
- Sew-Classic – Discount sewing machine parts & supplies
- The Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog – Find ‘em, get ‘em, clean ‘em, fix ‘em, use ‘em, great blog
- Vintage Sewing Machines Blog - Lots of information about various machines.
- ISMACS Elna page – Links to history, model information and serial numbers
- Elna USA – Celebrating 70 years
- Helen Howes Sewing Machines – Vintage machine parts
- Needle Bar – The International Antique Sewing Machine Museum
- My Sewing Machine OBsession - Another useful blog
- Keeler Sales - Singer replacement decals
- Custom Featherweights - Decals and other information
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Notions:
- Hawes & Freer Ltd – NZ based supplier of fusible interlining, linings, fabrics, Italian buttons, zips, shoulder pads, pocketing and more!

- Lots of Buttons – Just like the name says! Great quantity discounts and free international shipping for orders over $25. Read about my first order experience here.
- Gone Sewing - Sewing machine feet and other notions, excellent service, huge range, fast delivery, cheap postage (free if you spend USD$120)
- Fantasy Labels – Woven name tapes & designer labels (Australian based)
- Nancy’s Notions – Great notions much cheaper than in the stores but check the shipping rates before you order
Fabric:
- Tessuti – Based in Melbourne – beautiful quality fabrics and a great source for books as well
- KimoYES – Vintage Japanese fabrics – Kimono, yukata, obi, remnants & more
Drafting:
- Pattern School - Stretch-fit pattern making, swimsuits etc, all free
- VintageSewing.Info – Free online access to public domain sewing books
Free Software:
- Evernote – Free database type software – read my gushing fan-girl essay here (update: The Android app is amazing!)
- Pattern Making Calculator – Calculator with all the fractions and sewing formulas you could ever want
- Gimp – Photoshop equivalent for Windows- see what you can do with the Gimp software here.
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Other:
- Fashionary – Fashion Sketch Book
- Fashionary Templates – Downloadable Men’s & Women’s
- Threads Croquis Family
Last page update: 23 April 2013

































This is a great list! I just discovered Tesutti fabrics and couldn’t believe how gorgeous their fabrics were! I really love unusual prints that look hand painted like shiboori style or like that purple floral or green print in the Manequim dresses you just posted. I look forward to checking out these links. Have you seen stylearc patterns? The designer is in Australia.
I just went to their website, they have some great patterns. I love the details they show on each pattern page, I’ve added a few to my shopping list for pay day
Tesutti just have the most amazing fabrics, some people think they are a bit pricey but you get what you pay for: quality! If you sign up for their newsletter sometimes they have discounted or free shipping, that’s when I buy up large.
There are some free downloadable patterns here as well: http://www.burdastyle.de/schnittmuster/suche/?q=kostenlos
Thanks Kadi! I was looking for this link on their site, they have changed things around since I last visited. I’ll add it to my list
links are great, just wish it didn’t redirect you away from your page with each link.
Thanks for pointing that out, I’ve just fixed them up so they open in a new tab