Not the place that carries waste, but those who sew. Sewists, seamstresses, tailors, those of you who bought a sewing machine but haven’t plugged it in yet. I’m talking to you. I am planning to start a pattern business and want to get your feedback.
- What kind of patterns interest you most? Patterns for clothes, accessories, kids’ stuff?
- Do you prefer tissue paper patterns or would you like downloadable .pdf files with drawings and photographs? I am thinking that downloadable files would provide instant gratification and be kinder to the environment, but want to know your opinion.
- How much are you willing to pay for a pattern?
- Would you be interested in a subscription service where you pay a flat fee and get a new pattern every week or month? Maybe within a category — like kids, home and accessories?
These are the questions that have been on my mind lately. I have some great ideas for you, just need some time to get them all done!
While I’ve got your attention, I also wanted to let you know about an upcoming book project from Storey Publishing called One Yard Wonders, which is being put together by Rebecca Yaker and Trish Hoskins. It will be full of projects that you can make with one yard of fabric. Doesn’t that sound fun? The deadline for submissions is August 31, so get your original sewing pattern together and submit it here.
I like patterns for unique stuffed animales, accessories (headbands, slippers, bags, wallets…), and once in awhile, clothes.
I definitely love the downloadable PDF files w/drawings and photographs. That tissue paper makes my head hurt just thinking about it!! Also- the instant gratification is a HUGE plus- and I like being able to cut through, write on & trash my patterns, knowing full well that I can just print it again if I want to do another. It also helps with organization- because instead of a huge drawer of patterns, I can just keep them in a folder, or better yet, on my computer.
I feel that around $12 is fair for a really nice pattern.
I would only be interested in a subscription from a designer that I was familiar with and had a range of patterns I already knew I loved. If it were a new designer- or a collection, I would rather wait to pick and choose the ones I end up liking.
I like patterns for bags and other accessories. Someday I hope to like patterns for clothes, but I haven’t quite mastered that yet. I like downloadable pdf files over tissue paper as I always seem to rip the tissue. I agree with the other Jessica about the range of 8-12 dollars.
That book sounds like oodles of fun…I can’t wait for it to come out!
I like for patterns for just about anything under the sun. Lately I am mostly getting bag/purse patterns and childrens clothing. I think another thing to think about is an allowance for independent designers to use your patterns for small production to sew in boutiques and galleries (maybe offer a purchasing agreement or something along those lines)
I think $8-$12 is about what the mass market is offering them at. Yesterday I purchased a PDF file for $10. Oh! and I much prefer the PDF files because if I lose a piece of the pattern I can always reprint it plus it is instant gratification. While I love getting mail I would much rather purchase a pattern I can start working on right away!
I dont know if I would subscribe to a monthly/weekly pattern unless I knew up front what I would be getting each week or month. I am picky about my patterns and I would want to make sure if I am paying a decent sum of money I would use all of the patterns and just not a few and never use the others even though I paid for them.
-I agree that $8-12 is good
-I vote PDF, I like that it lets you keep your printing and postage fees down (and prices too!), and I get it right away.
-I’ve thought that if I were a better sewer I would love to sell patterns. I’ve personally felt intimidated by Japanese craft books (where to buy? how to read? just sort of scary!) and would love to buy patterns that have the same aesthetic, particularly garments for little girls (up to age 8?). Would also go for softie dolls and great women’s skirts and tops. Wouldn’t go for home dec since there’s just so much of that available that’s pretty good.
Good luck!
I’ve not yet progressed to making clothes so at the moment patterns for bags or home accessories interest me most. I agree with the other commenters – a pdf file would be better than tissue patterns. In the UK I think the going rate is about £5-8 – so I guess $8-12 is about that. Personally I probably wouldn’t subscribe to regular patterns – but if they were also available on a “pay as you go” basis, that would be good.
I would be interested in any patterns other than clothes. I have a few patterns that I’ve purchased as downloads and they are just great. I can’t remember exactly what I paid for them but I am guessing it was somewhere around $10.
I’m interested in kid’s things, whether it be clothing or toys…whatever. I also like the idea of the pdf files. I probably wouldn’t subscribe to a monthly service as I don’t sew from patterns alot at this point.
I prefer patterns for “giftable” items, and generally not for clothing, unless it’s “one-size-fits-all”.
I prefer downloadable .pdf patterns with pictures.
I would pay $10-$12 for a pattern, if it had several options. Otherwise, I try to pay $5 – $8 a pattern.
I don’t think I would be interested in subscribing to a pattern club, because I wouldn’t be able to control the pattern choices.
LOVE the idea of the 1-yard patterns!
I prefer the downloadable patterns with LOTS of pictures.
I’ve been searching all summer long for a really easy pattern for top that does not have just spaghetti straps – I like to keep my bra straps covered 😉 It could have sleeves or be sleeveless.
Also easy dresses would be great.
$12 would be the most I’d spend.
I’d not subscribe to a monthly service.
Good luck!
1. I’m pregnant so at the moment I’m all for the kids stuff. I also like anything easy, since I’m still a beginner.
2. I LOVE downloadable. The more pictures and more detailed instructions the better…but I like having the instant gratification.
3. I think I would pay up to $10…but I would probably want a few options. I try to keep my pattern spending to around $5.
4. Probably wouldn’t subscribe to a pattern club, I’ve done that with scrapbooking and I’ve had months where I’ve gotten stuff I know I won’t use.
One Yard Wonders sounds like an AWESOME book.
With a small daughter, at the moment I’m interested in sewing kids/babies clothes and accessories, as well as stuffed toys. As far as, how much would I pay, I don’t really know, it depends on how much I like the pattern, maybe up to $12? I’d probably not subscribe to a monthly service though I like the idea.
Hi, I would be most interested in unisex kids items. I think a printable pdf format is great. Though I don’t think I would subscribe to a monthly service without first knowing I would probably use most or all of the patterns. I guess the price I would be willing to pay would depend on the pattern. Maybe $5-$7. I also like to ‘buy more and save’ with multiple item discounts. I love your crafty ideas and look very forward to your patterns!
1. I’m interested in patterns for kids (clothes, toys, accessories, etc) and nursing clothes (there are so few patterns available)
2. I would prefer downloadable and printable patterns. Whenever I have a tissue pattern, I worry about screwing it up! Also if it has multiple sizes…I don’t want to cut it because I don’t want to only be able to pick one size.
3. $10 to $15 depending on what it is and how many options it has (with clothing I want to have a lot of sleeve options, etc.)
4. Possibly. I’d be more likely to pick and choose which patterns I like though.
1. These days I’m most interested in patterns for kid clothes. It’s surprisingly hard to find simple and yet interesting patterns, with good lines and not too fussy.
2. I prefer tissue paper patterns myself, although that’s not a dealbreaker. I’ve seen some sites that offer both, with the .pdf a bit cheaper and with no shipping.
3. Around $10, depending on the pattern, how many options
4. This is a neat idea, don’t know if I could really use that many patterns.
Right now I am interested in baby things for the house. ie bumper pads and whatnot. I like bags and I like clothes for little girls too. Mostly I am interested in small projects that can be accomplished in an afternoon.
I personally would not be interested in a subcription service, but I would be interested to know whenever a new pattern is available.
I don’t object to a downloadable pdf, but wonder how much printing, cutting and taping would be required on my end before I can begin using the pattern?
I have bought patterns for about $4.75 in the past and felt that was reasonable. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve purchased a pattern though. Additionally, if it is a pattern from a small indie company I would expect that I would have to pay more say 6-8 dollers.
Thanks for the heads up re the 1 yard book. (I buy 1 meter incriments myself living in Canada) but I’ll still be keeping my eye out for this book.
Hi Ellen. I’m not sure if you are still looking for comments on this post, but I am keen to give my feedback as well. I am always looking for patterns of a wide variety – accessories such as bags, baskets, small gifts, mostly simple, quick projects; home decor and simple basic clothing items.
Being international I would prefer pdf patterns! Instant download, print and sew. No waiting for 2-3 weeks to get my parcel. I have only been able to find a handful of online shops that sell pdf patterns and their products are very limited.
Most pdf patterns retail for between $2 to $8 whereas I see paper patterns retail for about $10 to $13. Maybe its also because they are published by well-known designers? Not sure. I think the price depends on the type of pattern you sell. A pincushion pattern should not be $13 for instance.
I am quite happy to pay a regular subscription fee to get regular patterns provided you for instance get a choice of 2 patterns from an available range of various types of patterns.
I would certainly support your new business venture. I can see from your projects that you prefer simple projects achieved by taking shortcuts but still produce a beautiful end product. I will keepan eye on your website. Good luck with your new venture!