How and Where to Buy Commercial Patterns
Many of you look at the pattern reviews and write to me asking to buy the patterns. I don't sell them, but here's how you can get them for yourself.
How and Where to Buy Commercial Patterns
Many of you look at the pattern reviews and write to me asking to buy the patterns. I don't sell them, but here's how you can get them for yourself.
Where to Buy
First of all, "the big three" (Simplicity, Butterick and McCall's) and Burda are available from the company websites. There is a link to each pattern company at the top of each review page. Patterns are also available in stores: retail department stores with sewing and craft departments (Wal-Mart), hobby and craft stores with sewing departments (Hobby Lobby) and retail fabric store chains (Hancock Fabrics and Joann's). There may be other stores in your area which sell patterns.
If you are not sure, call the store and ask customer service if they sell sewing patterns.
If the store sells patterns there will be a catalog table with big picture books of the patterns available, and big file cabinets nearby where the patterns are stored. You look through the book to find a pattern you want, write down the number, then go find it in the drawer. Simple.
All manufacturers sell patterns by mail. You can buy the catalog, usually by subscription since they come out seasonally, and fill out a form to purchase by check. If you do not live in the USA then mail order may be your best option for getting these patterns.
How to Buy
Every month there are pattern sales. In the fabric stores and craft stores that I know of there is a sale on patterns at least once a month in one store or another. The best way to find out about these sales is to get on the store mailing list. You will get a sale flyer every couple of weeks with the ads for the upcoming sale, and sometimes a discount coupon.
You can also visit the fabric store web sites to view their online sale flyer. Store coupons are usually not available through the online ad, however.
Patterns typically go on sale for $.99 or $1.99, and sometimes half price. All of these sales offer you great savings over the regular retail prices of $10-15. Since they go on sale so often, you should almost never have to buy the pattern at full price. If you are a school or church on a budget and need lots of patterns for a play then you should buy them on sale during the year in order to have them on hand for when you need them.
Buying by mail order usually does not get you a discount, though some manufacturers may offer a buy-one-get-one incentive with your first order.
Finding Discontinued Patterns
Patterns go out of print regularly, sometimes in as little as 3 months after release. If you see a pattern you like, buy it as soon as you can.
If the pattern you like is out of print there are a few options that I know of for finding it: eBay, thrift shops, and the original manufacturer.
Used and new patterns go on auction at eBay all the time. If you are looking for vintage patterns this is a good place to check. Likewise old patterns end up in thrift shops all the time. I don't see old costume patterns there very often though. Some eBay vendors regularly carry new costume patterns and may have something that has been recently discontinued.
The pattern makers might still have the pattern you want. They keep stock on hand until it runs out, even after it has been pulled from their catalog. The only way to find out is to ask. Most of the companies now have a 'discontinued' section of their online catalog. You can also write to them at the contact address on their website or in the catalog.
All text and artwork copyright 1990 - 2005 D. Duperault. NOTHING on this site may be reproduced or distributed by any means without my written permission. This information offered in good faith, and worth only what you paid for it.
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