There’s something quite nostalgic about traditional sewing patterns... the folded tissue paper, the envelopes, the slightly confusing instructions.
That format has been around for a long time. Early sewing patterns date back to the 1800s, often shared through magazines or drafted at home. Over time, pattern companies standardised sizing and packaging, and the envelope pattern became the norm.
For a lot of sewists, that’s still the reference point.
But the way we sew has shifted quite a bit.
Instead of a few large pattern companies releasing seasonal collections, we now have independent designers creating patterns in a much more considered way. There’s more focus on everyday wear, better drafting, and often more flexibility in how a garment can be made.
PDF patterns have really enabled that shift.
They allow designers to release patterns without the limitations of printing and distribution, which means more variety and more interesting designs. And for sewists, it opens up a much wider range of options than what you’d typically find in-store.
Making the move from traditional paper patterns to PDFs can be a bit daunting. At The Pattern Press, that’s exactly what we’re tackling - making it easy to browse, buy and print PDF sewing patterns.