Pattern Palooza
No this isn’t another Patterns and Postcards post (although I have some swap items I need to scan in) but if you don’t know what I’m talking about (and like sewing patterns and sewing magazines) go check it out now. Also, last chance to enter the Stitched by You Giveaway if you haven’t done so already.
Aaand back to your regularly scheduled distraction:
I rarely buy envelope patterns – I find the fit inconsistent, the ease excessive and the cost exorbitant (half-price pattern sales are a rarity in Australia, $5 sales are like the Cambrian explosion – every one agrees one definitely occurred some eons ago and was awesome, but there’s a total lack of consensus on how to successfully initiate or even predict another one).
It also pisses me off how much of a scam postage is on the Vogue website (I wrote them a semi-shitty email about charging me $25 for postage and then shipping my stuff in a flat mailer using first class shipping for the grand sum of $4.25 – I never heard back).
So when I stumbled across Patterns Plus Australia during a pattern-review search I was pretty shocked to see Burda, Vogue, Butterick and McCall’s envelope patterns (some out of print, some contemporary, some old-lots of Vogue Designer patterns too) for $3 and $4 a pop with free shipping (to Australia-check with them for other locations). Assuming it was either a scam or some sort of genuine quantum anomaly, I browsed through everything and bought a bunch of patterns.
I got a polite email from them earlier this week informing me that one of the patterns I’d ordered was out of stock. They then offered me a free pattern of my choice for the inconvenience of having to choose a replacement (Spotlight should learn from these guys). And today, all the patterns, including the freebie turned up (in a 3 kg mailer no less-no crummy first class shipping here) all good, all new, all pattern-y and sh*t.
They also have the 1046 Anna Sui pattern I used for my sticky-tape stencil-printed Scarab dress and this space-age OOP Rucci number (which for some reason, I felt sure I’d seen on the cyberdaze blog but can’t seem to find at the mo’ here). Also this (because it looks cool, it’s vintage and multi-sized-which is weird). They also have a sh*tload of burda patterns from back when burda used to have fairly trashy and extremely entertaining pattern covers-I totally bought one (we can laugh over it later-suffice to say, for now, that the chick on the cover is totally heading out for a random threesome in her crotchless stockings and anti-grav hairdo -’nuff said).
So anyway, now might be a good time to hit them up for all those OOP and discontinued designer patterns. It sure beats the living daylights out of using bolts of fabric for self-defence/ crowd control in a Spotlight* queue while the lone servitor chats with the auntie up front about how rude some customers can be.
*Spotlight is a local fabric/craft chain similar to Joann’s but without the low-low prices.
All images remain copyright of their original owners and are used here for the purposes of illustration and discussion.
Ok, whats first? I really want to see your Chaddo Ralph’…..what doi you think his friends call him? Thats a lot of clumsy name, you knows?
Threads did an article on him and he seemed like the kind of go-getter that doesn’t have time for friends. Or only hangs out with hipsters that think it’s clever to call him Chad XD “Chad baby you’ll sew my wedding dress won’t you?”. NO! And my name is Chad-O! “Oh Chad! You’re hilarious! Love the drama dahling!”
There has to be a team of old lady fashionistas that call him Chacha…
I love it! So much better than Chad. Also it means Uncle in Hindi (generally an older dude like one’s dad’s older bro)..
Congrats on the great finds!
Don’t envy Joann’s too much – They may have changed their source fabrics as I am finding there is MUCH to be desired – the dyes run, fade, crock, and generally destroy the overall look of the garment once washed or dry cleaned
Ya I’ve heard that about them-a lot of the chains out here have similar fluctuations in quality but lack the discounted pattern sales XD
Oh my god, you’re hilarious! I think Vogue still charged me $25 to ship and I live in the US…
So, in effect, they’re a postage company offering patterns as an incentive.. XD
That’s for the tip!!! I totally agree with the ridiculous shipping rates, $25 is over the top.
Corrupted – I gave in & ordered three!
Thankyou, thankyou, for the tip!! I have just put in an order and trying not to feel miffed that a few patterns I bought from BMV are now $4 …..grrrrr!
I too wrote to Vogue about their questionable postage practice and was told that the extra cost is in ‘handling’ ( with gold plated gloves maybe??)
You’re most welcome-hopefully you find a lot of OOP type stuff to cover the difference. Also, here’s to hoping Vogue actually pays human beings a fair wage for their work then (not just charging 5x the postage, paying minimum wage and pocketing the difference..the difference.
Wonderful. A few godets here and there and the Chado could almost be a kaftan – your fav
(not). Just bought some patterns. One I’d love to wear to a wedding – my own – 23 years the actual one. But why not? Thank you!
Hahaha, I got the Chado because of how futuristic it looks. I wanted to use a firm metallic type fabric for a comiccon outfit XD Would also be a good topper on my eventual tron outfit so ppl don’t attack me on public transport. Although Carl says if we dress up we’ll drive there XD
You have the best research skills:))
Cool! I really like the white Ralph Rucci top and trousers. Don’t remember that one at all. This is why I love seeing other people’s pattern picks. (I did make 1073…sadly doesn’t get very much wear though.)
Found it and updated the link. Also, you should totally wear it! It’s so cool!
You cracked me up with your comparison with the Cambrian era
These patterns seem right up you alley. Have you thought about designing your own patterns? I bet you’d be good at it.
I agree with you on the fitting issues of the Vogue patterns. Love the instructions, very informative when you have no idea how to costruct a jacket for example. And that´s the only reason I buy them. Very discouraging when you finally put the pieces together and you have to start taking in all the seams!
Woo hoo! Just bought four patterns from them. Looks like I now have a new source instead of the “BMV on sale but with ridiculous shipping so that I have to buy seven patterns to make it slightly worthwhile” source.
Hahaha nice! And thanks for passing the info on to!
oh my gosh, amazeballs. What a website. I bloody hate Spotlight and try to avoid buying patterns from there unless they’re in the discount bin. Definitely scouring this website. Love the Donna karen dress, those pockets are brilliant.
Spot on about Vogue’s off putting postage rates. Nice choice of patterns you have there – I must not buy any more, I must not. I will just wait to see what you do with them.
Ahh Spotlight, let me count the many ways that I loath thee…
Good website find, I’m going to have a lookie myself but I fear my credit card isn’t going to be very happy with me, oh well…
Ah, you make me laugh! Yes, the elusive $5 pattern sale, I did once meet someone who was at Cleg’s that day, but only the one person! Thanking you VERY much for the patternsplus link
)
The situation in NZ with patterns is pretty much the same. Expensive and terrible fitting wise. That site looks like a great find. Looking at it, I would’ve thought it was a scam because of the colour scheme but it’s good to hear how great they are. Spotlight could definitely learn something about customer service from them.
Thanks for the heads up on that pattern site! Of course, I couldn’t resist adding to my unused pattern collection.
Thanks for pointing me to this post. I too have written angry emails to Vogue US about their postage lol. They suggested I buy from Vogue Australia instead – pfft at $30 a pattern I’ll keep paying the postage