So-So Sewing | Finding Free Sewing Patterns

Last updated on 8 December 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase with one of these links, I recieve a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full Affiliate Policy.

It all began with a free skirt pattern that my friend sent me in the direction of when I wanted to replicate a skirt that I already owned and loved. From there, I’ve been sewing a mixture of freebie patterns and bought patterns.

When it comes to freebie anything, it can be a bit of a hit or miss situation. Hopefully, you get more wins than losses, but you can never be too sure that you’re getting something really great or tried and true when you’re getting something for nothing. When it comes to free sewing patterns, it appears to be much the same story.

UPDATE June 2023: Since writing and publishing this blog post in November 2019, some of these free patterns are no longer free. I have kept them in this list as they are still great patterns, but have made a note of where they are now paid patterns. Usually, they’re not very expensive, so are still worth checking out.

Tips for finding free sewing patterns

Here are a couple of tips I’ve learnt this year when it comes to finding free sewing patterns:

• Ask around: Get on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, the works, and simply ask some of the sewers you know if they know of any good free patterns. That’s exactly what I did when I started compiling this list. I messaged my sewing friend and asked her to give me suggestions. Not only did we create a great list for you, but I added all these things to my ‘must make’ projects list!
• Pattern sites: So many pattern sites have a section of free patterns. Head to some of the websites you already know, create good, easy-to-follow patterns and have a search! They may not be in a designated ‘freebies’ area on their website or blog, but you can always search ‘free’ on the site and see what you can find.
• Magazines: Whether it be a hard copy of a sewing magazine or an eCopy, often magazines dedicated to sewing or other crafts will include a freebie pattern with each issue. These might be garments that you whip up in a couple of hours, or little projects such as bags or accessories. Peppermint Magazine is one such mag, and I’ve listed it below.
• Google and Pinterest: Both are, perhaps, the obvious place to find freebies, just be aware that if you find some free patterns they might not come with easy-to-follow instructions, or might be a bit haphazard in their structure. You never know, you may find a great pattern, but you also may start something, get a bit turned around, and not be able to finish easily.

Free sewing patterns

The patterns I’m about to share with you aren’t all ones that I’ve tried; however, I have it on good authority that they’re pretty darn great patterns. There are a few that I have made before, and those ones I’ve commented on.

Free Clothes Patterns

• Morning Glory Top – Sarah Kirsten
  • This top was so so so easy to make! I actually made a trial shirt out of a material I didn’t love before making an actual one, but my Mum really liked the fabric (she’s a green person, I’m not) so I gave it to her.
• Hemlock Tee- Grainline Studio
• Basic Instinct Tee- Sasha Secondo Piano 
• Orla Dress – French Navy Now
• Stellan Tee – French Navy Now
• Stevie Knickers – Paper Theory
• Athina Top Pattern – Tessuti Patterns
• Pompon Suit Vest – Maison Fauve
• Gathered Skirt for All Ages – Purl Soho
• Hoodie Pattern – So Sew Easy
• Sew It Forward Sock Pattern – Ellie and Mac
• The Rosette Tie Front Top Free Sewing Pattern – Mood Fabrics
• The Perth Dress – Mood Fabrics
• Veronica Skirt – Megan Neilson (update: this is now a paid pattern)
• Justine Skirt – Ready to Sew (update: this is now a paid pattern)
  • This was the skirt that started it all! While I’ve only made it once, and I didn’t love it, that was due to the fabric choice and not the pattern itself. The pattern is great, easy to follow and very wearable!

 

Free Apparel Sewing Patterns

• The Pear Pouch – Sarah Kirsten
  • I have made so many of these! My friend and I were at Spotlight one day and they had a sale on Fat Quarters, so I told her if she bought the material, I would make her a bunch of different-sized pear pouches. I ended up making six for her and about four for me!
• Pillow Case – Mimi G
• Fold-Over Pouch – Mimi G
• Eye Mask – Tilly and the Buttons
• (Fake) Fur Collar – Tilly and the Buttons
• Slippers – Tilly and the Buttons
  • I’m actually planning on making these in the coming weeks! So looking forward to finding some fun, fluffy material at Spotlight!
• Costa Tote- Helen’s Closet
• Easy Bucket Bag Purse Pattern – So Sew Easy
• Small Canvas Tote Bag – So Sew Easy
• Holly Jolly Ornaments Pattern – Ellie and Mac
• Hair Scrunchie Pattern – Ellie and Mac
• Bowl Cozy – Helen’s Closet
  • I have made about 8 of these and I love them! Make sure you get the correct microwaveable elements! You don’t want it melting.

---

Bonus: Peppermint Magazine patterns

One of the things that Australian-based Peppermint Magazine provide is FREE PATTERNS*! There are three pages worth of downloadable patterns on the website at the moment, so I’ve listed some of the ones that I have downloaded in anticipation of making them one day, and a few that I have already made.

*Update September 2025: In September 2025, they decided to change their patterns from free to Pay-What-You-Want. This means that you can choose how much you wish to pay for the pattern. Because many of these listed before were free at the creation of this post, I’ve left them in here. Just be aware that you’ll need to give a few dollars to get them now. If you subscribe to the magazine and get a physical copy, you get the pattern for free. You can read more about their decision to do so here.

All images above from Peppermint Mag. 

• Pocket Skirt
  • I love the giant pockets on this one! I’ve made it twice now, though in my second version I made the pockets slightly smaller, so that they didn’t bulge out.
• Wide Strap Maxi Dress
• Wrap Top
• Button Up Dress
• Bardon Dress
  • I’ve actually made this about 5 times now. It’s such an easy pattern, it takes no time to whip up, and it’s super comfy for summer.
• Pleated Summer Dress
• Jumpsuit
• Slouchy Cardigan
• Beach Coverup
• Peplum Top
• Jersey Dress
• Summer Sun Dress
• Milton Pinafore
  • I made this in a thicker pink fabric and wear it often. My torso is a different length, so it does sit a little differently on me than the model but it’s something I could change in future versions.
• Wrap Dress
• Daisy Dress
• Fern Pleated Pants
• Viola Quiletd Jacket
• Pasadena Rara Skirt
• Samford Set – Top and bottom
  • I’ve made this one and really liked it. There are some alterations I’d make, but overall, a good pattern.

 

---

PIN ME