For me, i get stressed when I see bloggers/u tubers that make a wardrobe full of clothes in a year. How did they do it? It makes me feel like a slow sewist.
My three hints after sewing for 60+ years: 1. KNOW YOUR BODY! Know what flatters your body type and pass on what doesn't. 2. MODIFY PATTERNS - Pick patterns that work for your body and use them to improve your skills. You can find vids all over to help you make easy style changes like necklines, sleeves, etc. Add different embellishments like overlays and cutouts. 3. SPEND ON FABRIC INSTEAD - have a small stock of patterns for wovens and for knits, and then get different looks by switching up the fabric. Get creative by selecting several fabrics in solids and prints of complementary colors - you can even "make" new fabric by sewing different ones of the same weight/type together (especially good for cover-ups like loose jackets/coats.
It's very addictive actually.. seems you just can't get enough of all the various fabrics, patterns and supplies! If I can't buy a lot I still go thru and keep wish lists of things almost daily!🤪 😅 Great tips! 😉
Hi, Jen.. I am sew glad someone addressed this Issue! I think it goes beyond FOMO, I wonder how much wear the sewing influencers are wearing their garments, having to create something , just to talk about and get subscribers and views and the time spent to video and edit content!!!! I don't buy patterns any more unless it is truly unique , it is always fantasy shopping, not just FOMO. I have been sewing for close to 50 years, I have all the basic styles of patterns, to create any thing I see on the internet ,thanks to all of these kind people and companies for sharing on their websites. The INDIE patterns are all so easy and basic, and what do they do ,PDF's, they are terribly expensive$$$, then you have to spend $$$ on ink to print them!!!and tape all those pieces together!!!! I was shocked when I first found out... YEAH, I have all the basic patterns...and if not I can create my own by watching other you tubers/influencers show me how!!!!....sew I would buy a basic BIG 4 Pattern for $1.99 anytime i need a basic pattern, if need be......
This is perfect timing. I just got the Simplicity email and they are having another pattern sale. I was so close to buying but I promised myself I am not buying any more patterns until I finish making all the ones I bought during the last sale. The struggle is real, lol
Oh Boy! You hit the hammer on the big nail! Everything you said, I have been down that road and yes you are correct about FOMO. I do have a suggestion to those having problems getting rid of the BIG stash of Patterns: 1. Donate them to the local and school theaters, 4-H Club, Girl Scout of America, Salvation Army, Goodwill and Sewing/Quilting Clubs. 2. If you have a sewing room, you can make it as wallpaper, wrapping paper, or other craftsy stuff. That is what I did with mine. I had over 50 +yrs of patterns of mine, my mom, and my grandmother (those I kept). I hope that helps.
When I was a beginner (a million years ago 😊) I had three basic patterns I used and learned to hack. Today, I have way too many patterns that are mostly for children. JoAnn is too far away, thankfully, to go pattern shopping. PDFs-yes, soooo many! FOMO is a real thing!
I have been sewing a long time. I totally understand the process of imagining the finished project and buying too many patterns. The balancing factor is fitting can be really challenging, and once I fine tune a pattern I would rather make it over and over than start fresh. But it took me about thirty years to get to this point. The good thing is I do have them sorted efficiently, and can find something I like any time I want to sew. I do strongly encourage a beginner to buy 2-3 good basic patterns of clothes you already wear, and don’t spend too much money saving money on patterns. It can lead to a lot of self judgement and giving up. Good video.
I just had the realization that what I need to do is to plan makes 6 months in advance. Most of my stash is things that I didn't get to in time and then the next season comes and they get forgotten. Giving myself adequate time will hopefully stop that cycle and what a great feeling it will be to have garments ready at the beginning of the season!
Thank you SO much for this reality check regarding sewing pattern hoarding! I definitely have WAY too many patterns, stashed in my basement in drawers and bins, probably never to be made sadly. I buy them thinking I might make them some day, or refer to one part of the pattern when making something else. It makes my stomach turn when I think of how much money I have spent and wasted on buying patterns (and fabric too). I really need to slow down, wise up, and learn to make my own patterns or modify the ones I own and not be tempted to buy new ones that I am realistically never going to make. I need to emergency de-stash before my house burns down and goes up in flames from all the patterns I have! Ha! Seriously though, thank you for bringing this FOMO to light.
Thanks for this video. I haven't started my sewing journey yet, but I've already bought a lot of $1.99 patterns. I will definitely take this advice moving forward!
I think that we get a dopamine hit from buying it and imagining making it. We have a hard time of getting rid of them because of the possibility of our "fantasy self" making it. I totally get it, not so much with patterns but with other art and craft supplies. Knowing is half the battle LOL! Edit-yes, the filming of a project can be so overwhelming and add 3x the time!
So true! I have way too many that never got made! I have made 2 Simplicity dresses that are almost identical! The only difference is in the hemline! I didn’t realize that until after I made that second one.
I'm so happy you have posted this video. I too have been drawn into the FOMO and have purchased way too many patterns that I have stored away. Same goes for fabric. It is so exciting to see new patterns, fabrics and makes on social media and want to make all the pretty things but it's not practical, kind to your wallet or environmentally friendly. Plus, it gets kinda stressful trying to find storage for all this new stuff. I have garments that I've made that I hardly wear because of being influenced through social media. So I've decided to go old school. You sew a garment when you NEED said garment and you know that you will get plenty of wear from it. Purchase pattern, fabric and notions for that project, make it and enjoy. I now ask myself, do I need it or just want it before making a purchase.
When we downsized my FULL sewing/crafts spare bedroom transitioned to a CLOSET 😳I organized the heck out of my stashes. Let me count the ways.. I still have an over abundance but it is now so much more manageable. Sewing is fun when you know what you have, where to find it and can easily get to it. 1. Laid out patterns and boxed the ones that were dupes 😂, semi dupes or what was I thinking. 2. Measured keeper fabs, listed in a little notebook and if my pattern calls for 3 yards I don’t have to spend a day or two eliminating the smaller pieces (as my enthusiasm sloooowly drains. 3. Taking my excess patterns, eliminated fabrics and sewing notions & supplies to a local Home Ec dept and or women’s shelter. Not forgetting the quilting fabs and clothes I thought I’d alter - but didn’t. On my Girl Scouts honor I’m not going to purchase more until I use what I have. And I’m NOT going to purge a lot so I can buy more🫣
This is me! A few years ago I got rid of several bags of patterns. Now I am dumping more. Things that I can’t fit anymore. I have patterns from the 70’s. They make nice decorations in a shadow box. Haven’t bought a pattern in several months. Can’t get into that “Pattern Haul” trap. Freedom!!😁
I'm also a pattern hoarder. Now I try to plan my sewing a lot better. I completed Seamwork's Design Your Wardrobe recently. It helped me so much. Taking the time to plan showed me just how much time is needed to actually sew. I will not be able to sew all the patterns I currently own unless I sewed all day every day for probably 10 years. Now I don't buy as many patterns. Also, there are so many good free patterns out there if I need a fix.
I started sewing my own clothes when I was in 4th grade. I am now 68 and let me tell you over the years I have bought 100's of patterns. I will say I often hack ones I own and love going thru my stash and making something that is from years past but has come back around. All that said I still have way more than I ever make. In the past few years I have been doing much more self drafting which is something I wish I had learned way back in my sewing journey.
What a refreshing video. I have a boatload of patterns purchased throughout my 0ver 30 year sewing journey. I go through stages buying patterns, but lately I’ve had to really ask myself, “do I really need this pattern”, “will I ever really make this pattern”, etc. so much money wasted..
I have a problem hoarding patterns. I have stopped buying them in batches and might only buy a few a year. They don't have any resale value. I spent a lot of time organizing them several years ago. I've cut the collection in half. I need to do it again. I now only keep a box with patterns I actually make in my sewing room. I do not like clothing pdf patterns..the printing etc is annoying and time consuming. One thing that helps is before you click the BUY go back and look at what you already have. Great video!
I have been trying to deal with this pattern and fabric issue. Here is what I have done. I use an app for my iPad I think just called patterns and photographed and categorized all of them. When a new style of pattern comes out, I check the app first to see if I might not already have something like it. I also use Trello for my fabric database. I would have used it for my patterns but didn’t know about it at the time. Both of these things have reined in my purchasing. Really great video.
I always wonder about You Tube sewists. Do they actually need that many clothes? It must be a huge temptation to keep buying and buying. Many of my favourite patterns are older and I don't need a different wrap dress or button down shirt pattern when I have a good one already.
I so needed to watch you. I got rid of a whole heap of patterns in 2022. I think I have replaced and brought more. I have gotta stop, I don't and won't use them, just like the one's I got rid off unused. 4 archive boxes full is more than enough. They repeat them anyway. Slight changes, a new pattern number and new up to date photos. 😊
Thank you. I have been realizing that there are quilt, clothing, etc patterns that I will never get to. I need to make a reasonable list of projects and start working on them.
I totally agree. Lately I’ve put a halt to pdf patterns, as they are really a lot of work to print and trace off. I’ve had some training in pattern drafting, so I’ll try to recreate a new design at home.
This entire video is good advice. I purged most of my physical patterns many years ago fornspace reasons, but sometimes the digital hoarding is even worse. You dont remember you already have that pattern or embroidery file, and in that case it's not going to get made. Thank you for the pep talk!
I’m 73. I feel I don’t have time to stash things. First comes the inspiration, then comes the pattern (which I’m probably hacking from a previously used pattern), then the material, then the notions. So the only material I have in my stash, is left overs from completed projects.
I needed to hear this years ago. I have so many patterns and I just realized the truth late last year. I will never use the ones that I have. I tell myself that I will have to try and resell them starting soon. It is a shame because I have spent so much money and time collecting and not sewing. This was a good video.
Thanks for this! I have a 3 drawer storage unit filled with patterns and I only use maybe like 10 of them. I’m really trying my hardest to get rid of them and downsize on what I have. I’m glad I’m not the only one who gives in to FOMO! I usually try to find freebie ones so I don’t spend too much money on them if I do any digital patterns which seems to help!
Jen: You're welcome. Me: THANK YOU! 🤗 I remind myself that spending $3 to $30 on a pretty picture for a pattern that I will likely only look at wistfully is truly a FOMO fetish. I appreciate you making this video to remind me that I can't wear pretty pictures! 😜
I don’t have a sewing pattern obsession, but during the COVID lockdown I did my share (and someone else’s) shopping for embroidery designs. it’s just too easy online!
as a newer sewist, i def relate to this but with fabric since there’s so much learning and experimenting involved. trying to slow down and be intentional can be hard! but i’m trying
I just haven’t bought this years patterns because I haven’t liked any more than last years patterns that I haven’t made yet… Also, I set up my notes app with images of every pattern I own, to remind me of the patterns I have, in order to encourage me to make them. Get to know what you have. And I’ve actually started to print out my pdf patterns so that there’s less resistance to make them.
I definitely fell into all those traps when I first got into garment sewing. Especially vintage patterns . Then Keneth King said on an interview on Threads that many were the same just different design details. I put the breaks on my consumption. For me I also get overwhelmed with choices and get paralyzed. It’s crazy. I’m not buying anymore but do have 3 boxes of patterns. 😐
I pretty much quit buying garment patterns about 10-12 years ago. The cost of patterns was part of the reason. Now, I buy a pattern when I'm also buying the fabric & notions that go with it. In other words, I'm buying a "project" that I can go home and make. Quilting patterns, that's another story. I buy a lot on line as PDF's and just save them on a flash drive. But I have printed & made a lot of them.
I so enjoyed this video. What good reasons you came up with for getting a hold on overbuying patterns. They are hideously expensive at full price and not much better at sale price where I live. Luckily I hate sticking PDFs together so I can avoid that angst.What a lot of fun comments from others too😀
I have been sewing for 36 years. One thing I go by is the silhouette. Most sewing patterns are definitely the same silhouette. I agree, you can take some of the same patterns you already have to come up with the same style of pattern that is currently being displayed. However, I will buy a pattern that is showing a technique in the garment that I haven’t tried or mastered. I may purchase a pattern that is uniquely different and if I can’t find what I want then I make up a pattern of my own. But yes, I may purchase a pattern to save time instead of creating one myself yet it’s definitely not a haul maybe one or two. AND, I could put that money towards fabric to make up some of the patterns I already have😊
I stopped buying patterns when the prices got ridiculously expensive but, if Joann’s have a Butterick or Burda $1.99 pattern sale I may buy one if the design catches my eye. I still have patterns that cost 50 cents and are classics. I copy on pattern paper and alter the design. I really plan to start making my own patterns again.
Thank you for this video. I am pretty good re buying patterns - but I have such a hard time with free patterns. I have so many quilt pattern. Not only do I have little time for sewing, I would also not know what to do with all the finished projects 😅 P.S.: I like what you are doing with your channel.
So I had donated four large boxes like the kind you get that big packs of paper for an office from for those to a local community college. So I definitely recommend a community College is a great place to donate patterns, especially if they're clothing patterns. They may not use them, but their art and theather departments might. They might have a sewing class and they might offer the patterns for free for the students. You can also look and see if there's any local sewing groups for kids, girl scouts, etc. They might take some of them off your hands. Secondly, to make sure that I didn't purchase a lot of patterns in the future, I learned slopers and that means I can change any basic pattern to kind of what I'm looking for based off my measurements which is wonderful to do and third sometimes embrace that you're going to buy My girls have like every American girl doll pattern and I've never made a single thing for their American girl dolls even though now I have a bin full of fabric for them plus the patterns it just hasn't happened yet. It just goes so low on the priorities. And finally, I highly highly recommend when you purchase a patterns, Bring a post-it note pack with you and write down what you want to do. I want to make (A) in a blue dress with stripey fabric. So then when you bring it home you literally have an idea for it already written down and you can kind of work backwards. Okay. Now I need to find the blue stripey fabric. Oh, you know so and so has a sale. Let's go there and look for that. One specific thing okay, I need it all two and a half yards for this pattern. So let's go ahead and get three yards of this fabric and the zipper and everything else. If I don't have them on hand and then I don't end up buying as many patterns because "oh that's cute" instead I ask "what would I do with it ?" I also keep a bunch of like paper size baskets from the Dollar tree, the tall ones that are like 3 in tall that are just slightly bigger than a slight piece of paper. I'll put the pattern in it zippers, buttons etc for whatever project and then I keep the large index cards and I write down what it is I'm making etc. So that I can kind of keep a stack of those of all these projects I have on hand and so but I do have free time. I can pull one of the projects where I can look through them again and see which ones calling to me first
This video is so timely. I just recently made a pact with myself to not buy any new patterns. I’ve made a very small percentage of the patterns I own. To help me start using the patterns I already own I made a document that lists them all in one place with photos and categorized it by wovens vs knits and then by garment type. Now I have a catalogue of sorts that I can reference if I want to make something specific. Most of these patterns can be altered as well if I’m going for something that’s slightly different.
I sew for dolls, and I own some patterns I've made 10+ times and others I haven't even tried. I can defiantly relate- though many ones i haven't done are the free ones I get for promotions
Great video. The problems I have are: 1) I buy too many patterns (with no video) and really I am not good at reading patterns (or maybe too lazy) but I find I do much better watching someone make it on a video. 2) I have way too many bag patterns because I think they are so cute but in reality I don't have that many uses for a lot of bags. However, the smaller ones (pouches) I have actually made were from your videos and a few others (quick and easy to follow). Hope I am making sense :)
I was curious,. I had to check to see how many patterns I have. As of right now I have 4 adult patterns which I made something from those 4 and I have 6 kids patterns that I made something from those except for one. Though I do remember having a couple of patterns that were for scrubs but those patterns are long gone. I don't need scrubs anymore.😊
Oh boy do I feel your pain! I have a 1/2 size file box stuffed with garment, quilt & craft patterns that I am currently destashing; I also had 4 2-inch binders full of quilt & craft projects pulled from magazines - WAAAAY too much. I now have a 1 2-inch binder only and the 1/2 sized file box is now just 3/4 full - I still need to destash further. At most I could sew 6 full sized quilts a year and maybe a few other projects if that's all I did. The rest of the patterns were either recycled (magazine pages) or donated to Goodwill (Second hand store) for someone else to find a "prize" on their shopping trip. I got caught up in the $1.99 / $2.99 sales because patterns are only out for a limited time; but, I don't sew clothes that often (I HATE trying to fit and make adjustments). Although, I did replace a bunch of individual patterns with 1 base pant/skirt pattern and 1 base shirt/dress pattern that has a book & classes to change up those to make a bunch of different looks by changing sleeves, neckline, length etc. - don't know if that's better or worse - I may have just traded a file box of patterns that I won't make to just 2 patterns that I might not make lol! Oh, and I have a TON of free patterns PDFs that I downloaded - not sure how to destash those other than deleting.
Last time I went to the Sewing and Craft Expo near me I bought a bunch, that was in 2017, I haven't made one thing from those patterns. 😆 I think I've purchased one pattern (fabric basket pod) locally before Christmas and have yet to make it. lol I should start Christmas gifts now eh? lol
I’ve started sewing again. I was surprised at how many items that look so much the same, even within the same pattern book. I feel as if I’m seeing the same things but with different pictures.
Funnily enough after 20 years of sewing costumes, I do own a box of patterns... each project is usually something drastically different so a pattern will most likely only get used once. But I'd say about 20% of the pattern I've bought don't get used in a project. When I mock them up they are not right for the project and some I bought I haven't opened because they were DC'd and for $2CAN they MIGHT be useful as historical/retro patterns. But as a realistic sewer, half the time I'm tracing my own clothes for patterns because they fit me. 🤭
I think my fear is I can sew I’m limited and found learning via video etc easier as I’m dyslexic and patterns are frustrating thank you new here needed the ok that it’s ok too be at own pace also
Hi Jen! I realized I needed to curb my pattern stash about 3 months ago when I pulled out my pattern stash to organize it. I had a “come to Jesus” moment with myself and have decided not to buy any new patterns unless I really consider it, not just impulsively buy. I’m not going to say no buying, but I haven’t purchased very many patterns lately. Only ones that are unique and really do fit my lifestyle and body shape. It’s hard though, when I see the promotion and all the photos of a new release. I want to be cool, too, lol
I have 4 purchased sewing patterns. But I have 3 free pdf patterns I printed and cut out. But I have many more that I haven’t yet. I only have 2 variations of tops that I can hack, 2 for pants , 2 for sweats, 3 dress patterns. The pdf patterns I haven’t printed and cut, are bags, or home decor, and a few more dress and pants variations. I don’t download or buy what I don’t need.
- About FOMO: In Psychology Theory, there're three characters in every person as human being: 1. act like parents, 2. act like adulte, 3. act like a child... And each of character comes up based on the situation you trapped in.... Long theory short, the FOMO is the good example for our "act like a child", the moments you attracted on something to buy... At that moment the child character was more dominant than the adult character in our mind... This Theory I learned from my mom's psychology books, as she studied psychology in a university... Hope it helps to understand this matter, that FOMO feeling could trapps us at one moment and we should know how to handle it with a clear mind set as an adult 👍😉 - About consume of sewing pattern: As I approx. 10 years young, I bought a sewing magazine... My mom asked me, which one I would choose the fashion of style in this magazine... and I couldn't answer that question... Since then, I learned my own lesson and I buy everything, only if I want/need to use it 👍😁 To control our mind & heart arean art of life, we experienced from time to time... GOOD LUCK to all of you 😉👍❣️
YOU CAN"T TELL ME WHAT TO DOOOOO, YOU"RE NOT MY MUUUUUUMMM! I'LL BUY ALL THE PATTERNS!😤 LOL Joke, obv. I'll be honest, I never got into the single pattern buying, I bought once a stash of vintage patterns, cause they were cheap and from the 40s to 80s, but I never buy new ones, cause a) they don't make my size, b) they are super expensive in my neck of the woods. I do, on the other hand, buy a lot of vintage sewing magazines (Burda, Pramo and such). I still can't simply make any clothes for myself with enclosed patterns, because of sizing, but I treat them as a fashion history study and inspiration, it's something completely different than reading magazines like Elle or Vogue, cause those pattern magazine give you something that would be very everyday and for everyone, and not only high fashion for rich people.
Not clothes patterns, thought I have many of those from long ago. I have quilt patterns. Lots of quilt patterns and the fabric to make the quilts. sigh.
Patterns are too expensive to buy now anyway. I just tried to put a free PDF pattern together. First and last time. How are we supposed to know what the designer had in mind? I guess sewing includes mind reading now. I am not please about this PDF pattern mess. I'll buy used patterns.
How do you avoid "FOMO" in the sewing world in terms of buying sewing patterns, fabric & supplies?
For me, i get stressed when I see bloggers/u tubers that make a wardrobe full of clothes in a year. How did they do it? It makes me feel like a slow sewist.
I try to be realistic about what I would actually wear.
My three hints after sewing for 60+ years:
1. KNOW YOUR BODY! Know what flatters your body type and pass on what doesn't.
2. MODIFY PATTERNS - Pick patterns that work for your body and use them to improve your skills. You can find vids all over to help you make easy style changes like necklines, sleeves, etc. Add different embellishments like overlays and cutouts.
3. SPEND ON FABRIC INSTEAD - have a small stock of patterns for wovens and for knits, and then get different looks by switching up the fabric. Get creative by selecting several fabrics in solids and prints of complementary colors - you can even "make" new fabric by sewing different ones of the same weight/type together (especially good for cover-ups like loose jackets/coats.
It's very addictive actually.. seems you just can't get enough of all the various fabrics, patterns and supplies! If I can't buy a lot I still go thru and keep wish lists of things almost daily!🤪 😅 Great tips! 😉
Hi, Jen.. I am sew glad someone addressed this Issue! I think it goes beyond FOMO, I wonder how much wear the sewing influencers are wearing their garments, having to create something , just to talk about and get subscribers and views and the time spent to video and edit content!!!! I don't buy patterns any more unless it is truly unique , it is always fantasy shopping, not just FOMO. I have been sewing for close to 50 years, I have all the basic styles of patterns, to create any thing I see on the internet ,thanks to all of these kind people and companies for sharing on their websites. The INDIE patterns are all so easy and basic, and what do they do ,PDF's, they are terribly expensive$$$, then you have to spend $$$ on ink to print them!!!and tape all those pieces together!!!! I was shocked when I first found out... YEAH, I have all the basic patterns...and if not I can create my own by watching other you tubers/influencers show me how!!!!....sew I would buy a basic BIG 4 Pattern for $1.99 anytime i need a basic pattern, if need be......
This is perfect timing. I just got the Simplicity email and they are having another pattern sale. I was so close to buying but I promised myself I am not buying any more patterns until I finish making all the ones I bought during the last sale. The struggle is real, lol
Oh Boy! You hit the hammer on the big nail! Everything you said, I have been down that road and yes you are correct about FOMO. I do have a suggestion to those having problems getting rid of the BIG stash of Patterns: 1. Donate them to the local and school theaters, 4-H Club, Girl Scout of America, Salvation Army, Goodwill and Sewing/Quilting Clubs. 2. If you have a sewing room, you can make it as wallpaper, wrapping paper, or other craftsy stuff. That is what I did with mine. I had over 50 +yrs of patterns of mine, my mom, and my grandmother (those I kept). I hope that helps.
When I was a beginner (a million years ago 😊) I had three basic patterns I used and learned to hack. Today, I have way too many patterns that are mostly for children. JoAnn is too far away, thankfully, to go pattern shopping. PDFs-yes, soooo many! FOMO is a real thing!
I have been sewing a long time. I totally understand the process of imagining the finished project and buying too many patterns. The balancing factor is fitting can be really challenging, and once I fine tune a pattern I would rather make it over and over than start fresh. But it took me about thirty years to get to this point. The good thing is I do have them sorted efficiently, and can find something I like any time I want to sew. I do strongly encourage a beginner to buy 2-3 good basic patterns of clothes you already wear, and don’t spend too much money saving money on patterns. It can lead to a lot of self judgement and giving up. Good video.
I just had the realization that what I need to do is to plan makes 6 months in advance. Most of my stash is things that I didn't get to in time and then the next season comes and they get forgotten. Giving myself adequate time will hopefully stop that cycle and what a great feeling it will be to have garments ready at the beginning of the season!
Thank you SO much for this reality check regarding sewing pattern hoarding! I definitely have WAY too many patterns, stashed in my basement in drawers and bins, probably never to be made sadly. I buy them thinking I might make them some day, or refer to one part of the pattern when making something else. It makes my stomach turn when I think of how much money I have spent and wasted on buying patterns (and fabric too). I really need to slow down, wise up, and learn to make my own patterns or modify the ones I own and not be tempted to buy new ones that I am realistically never going to make. I need to emergency de-stash before my house burns down and goes up in flames from all the patterns I have! Ha! Seriously though, thank you for bringing this FOMO to light.
Good video. You should do one for fabric FOMO too! Thank you.❤
Thanks for this video. I haven't started my sewing journey yet, but I've already bought a lot of $1.99 patterns. I will definitely take this advice moving forward!
I think that we get a dopamine hit from buying it and imagining making it. We have a hard time of getting rid of them because of the possibility of our "fantasy self" making it. I totally get it, not so much with patterns but with other art and craft supplies. Knowing is half the battle LOL!
Edit-yes, the filming of a project can be so overwhelming and add 3x the time!
Really good point about how we dream of this aspirational version of ourselves! You're so right!
So true! I have way too many that never got made! I have made 2 Simplicity dresses that are almost identical! The only difference is in the hemline! I didn’t realize that until after I made that second one.
I'm so happy you have posted this video. I too have been drawn into the FOMO and have purchased way too many patterns that I have stored away. Same goes for fabric. It is so exciting to see new patterns, fabrics and makes on social media and want to make all the pretty things but it's not practical, kind to your wallet or environmentally friendly. Plus, it gets kinda stressful trying to find storage for all this new stuff. I have garments that I've made that I hardly wear because of being influenced through social media. So I've decided to go old school. You sew a garment when you NEED said garment and you know that you will get plenty of wear from it. Purchase pattern, fabric and notions for that project, make it and enjoy. I now ask myself, do I need it or just want it before making a purchase.
Agree agree agree. It's amazing the stress the cycle creates.
When we downsized my FULL sewing/crafts spare bedroom transitioned to a CLOSET 😳I organized the heck out of my stashes. Let me count the ways..
I still have an over
abundance but it is now so much more manageable. Sewing is fun when you know what you have, where to find it and can easily get to it.
1. Laid out patterns and boxed the ones that were dupes 😂, semi dupes or what was I thinking.
2. Measured keeper fabs, listed in a little notebook and if my pattern calls for 3 yards I don’t have to spend a day or two eliminating the smaller pieces (as my enthusiasm sloooowly drains.
3. Taking my excess patterns, eliminated fabrics and sewing notions & supplies to a local Home Ec dept and or women’s shelter.
Not forgetting the quilting fabs and clothes I thought I’d alter - but didn’t.
On my Girl Scouts honor I’m not going to purchase more until I use what I have. And I’m NOT going to purge a lot so I can buy more🫣
This is me! A few years ago I got rid of several bags of patterns. Now I am dumping more. Things that I can’t fit anymore. I have patterns from the 70’s. They make nice decorations in a shadow box.
Haven’t bought a pattern in several months. Can’t get into that “Pattern Haul” trap. Freedom!!😁
I'm also a pattern hoarder. Now I try to plan my sewing a lot better. I completed Seamwork's Design Your Wardrobe recently. It helped me so much. Taking the time to plan showed me just how much time is needed to actually sew. I will not be able to sew all the patterns I currently own unless I sewed all day every day for probably 10 years. Now I don't buy as many patterns. Also, there are so many good free patterns out there if I need a fix.
I started sewing my own clothes when I was in 4th grade. I am now 68 and let me tell you over the years I have bought 100's of patterns. I will say I often hack ones I own and love going thru my stash and making something that is from years past but has come back around. All that said I still have way more than I ever make. In the past few years I have been doing much more self drafting which is something I wish I had learned way back in my sewing journey.
Thank you…you spot on! I will certainly take your advice! My mind gets too cluttered when i have so many options…..
What a refreshing video. I have a boatload of patterns purchased throughout my 0ver 30 year sewing journey. I go through stages buying patterns, but lately I’ve had to really ask myself, “do I really need this pattern”, “will I ever really make this pattern”, etc. so much money wasted..
I have a problem hoarding patterns. I have stopped buying them in batches and might only buy a few a year. They don't have any resale value. I spent a lot of time organizing them several years ago. I've cut the collection in half. I need to do it again. I now only keep a box with patterns I actually make in my sewing room. I do not like clothing pdf patterns..the printing etc is annoying and time consuming. One thing that helps is before you click the BUY go back and look at what you already have. Great video!
Excellent advice! I am sure that I have 97% patterns that I have not made to 3% that I have made. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!
I had over 200 patterns and sewed the same 4 patterns. While decluttering, is when I realized I was buying patterns due to FOMO.
Ah, if I only had 200...
Forty years of fomo...
I have been trying to deal with this pattern and fabric issue. Here is what I have done. I use an app for my iPad I think just called patterns and photographed and categorized all of them. When a new style of pattern comes out, I check the app first to see if I might not already have something like it. I also use Trello for my fabric database. I would have used it for my patterns but didn’t know about it at the time. Both of these things have reined in my purchasing. Really great video.
I always wonder about You Tube sewists. Do they actually need that many clothes? It must be a huge temptation to keep buying and buying. Many of my favourite patterns are older and I don't need a different wrap dress or button down shirt pattern when I have a good one already.
I so needed to watch you. I got rid of a whole heap of patterns in 2022. I think I have replaced and brought more. I have gotta stop, I don't and won't use them, just like the one's I got rid off unused. 4 archive boxes full is more than enough. They repeat them anyway. Slight changes, a new pattern number and new up to date photos. 😊
Thank you. I have been realizing that there are quilt, clothing, etc patterns that I will never get to. I need to make a reasonable list of projects and start working on them.
Wow--I needed this video--thank you! I am a total pattern hoarder and I rarely get sewing done! I had not heard of FOMO but that fits me.😝
I totally agree. Lately I’ve put a halt to pdf patterns, as they are really a lot of work to print and trace off. I’ve had some training in pattern drafting, so I’ll try to recreate a new design at home.
Omg yes!! I started paying to print all my
Pdf patterns at a copy shop thinking it would help me
Make them, but it didn’t!
This entire video is good advice. I purged most of my physical patterns many years ago fornspace reasons, but sometimes the digital hoarding is even worse. You dont remember you already have that pattern or embroidery file, and in that case it's not going to get made. Thank you for the pep talk!
There is always Destashify to sell or donate unused patterns.
I’m 73. I feel I don’t have time to stash things. First comes the inspiration, then comes the pattern (which I’m probably hacking from a previously used pattern), then the material, then the notions. So the only material I have in my stash, is left overs from completed projects.
I needed to hear this years ago. I have so many patterns and I just realized the truth late last year. I will never use the ones that I have. I tell myself that I will have to try and resell them starting soon. It is a shame because I have spent so much money and time collecting and not sewing. This was a good video.
I was JUST talking about this with a fellow sewing friend. I’ve collected enough patterns that I love and are my style that I can hack.
Great video, really needed this, now how about a video on my other obsession buying /hoarding fabric!! 😂
Jenn!!!!! I have sooooo many patterns🤦🏻♀️ and I also sew slow so I’ll never get thru them all….ugh!!!
Thanks for this! I have a 3 drawer storage unit filled with patterns and I only use maybe like 10 of them. I’m really trying my hardest to get rid of them and downsize on what I have. I’m glad I’m not the only one who gives in to FOMO! I usually try to find freebie ones so I don’t spend too much money on them if I do any digital patterns which seems to help!
Jen: You're welcome. Me: THANK YOU! 🤗 I remind myself that spending $3 to $30 on a pretty picture for a pattern that I will likely only look at wistfully is truly a FOMO fetish. I appreciate you making this video to remind me that I can't wear pretty pictures! 😜
Im the same way. I got 2 full shoe boxes full of patterns. I've knly made 2. I definitely prefer watching a RUclips videos and making stuff.
I don’t have a sewing pattern obsession, but during the COVID lockdown I did my share (and someone else’s) shopping for embroidery designs. it’s just too easy online!
Agree on embroidery. I now just buy a design and use it. Or go thru what I have first.
Why are you attacking me? Seriously, way too many patterns I will likely never sew.
as a newer sewist, i def relate to this but with fabric since there’s so much learning and experimenting involved. trying to slow down and be intentional can be hard! but i’m trying
I just haven’t bought this years patterns because I haven’t liked any more than last years patterns that I haven’t made yet… Also, I set up my notes app with images of every pattern I own, to remind me of the patterns I have, in order to encourage me to make them. Get to know what you have. And I’ve actually started to print out my pdf patterns so that there’s less resistance to make them.
I definitely fell into all those traps when I first got into garment sewing. Especially vintage patterns . Then Keneth King said on an interview on Threads that many were the same just different design details. I put the breaks on my consumption. For me I also get overwhelmed with choices and get paralyzed. It’s crazy. I’m not buying anymore but do have 3 boxes of patterns. 😐
Great advice!!!!
I pretty much quit buying garment patterns about 10-12 years ago. The cost of patterns was part of the reason. Now, I buy a pattern when I'm also buying the fabric & notions that go with it. In other words, I'm buying a "project" that I can go home and make. Quilting patterns, that's another story. I buy a lot on line as PDF's and just save them on a flash drive. But I have printed & made a lot of them.
I so enjoyed this video. What good reasons you came up with for getting a hold on overbuying patterns. They are hideously expensive at full price and not much better at sale price where I live. Luckily I hate sticking PDFs together so I can avoid that angst.What a lot of fun comments from others too😀
I have been sewing for 36 years. One thing I go by is the silhouette. Most sewing patterns are definitely the same silhouette. I agree, you can take some of the same patterns you already have to come up with the same style of pattern that is currently being displayed. However, I will buy a pattern that is showing a technique in the garment that I haven’t tried or mastered. I may purchase a pattern that is uniquely different and if I can’t find what I want then I make up a pattern of my own. But yes, I may purchase a pattern to save time instead of creating one myself yet it’s definitely not a haul maybe one or two. AND, I could put that money towards fabric to make up some of the patterns I already have😊
I stopped buying patterns when the prices got ridiculously expensive but, if Joann’s have a Butterick or Burda $1.99 pattern sale I may buy one if the design catches my eye. I still have patterns that cost 50 cents and are classics. I copy on pattern paper and alter the design. I really plan to start making my own patterns again.
Thank you for this video. I am pretty good re buying patterns - but I have such a hard time with free patterns. I have so many quilt pattern. Not only do I have little time for sewing, I would also not know what to do with all the finished projects 😅
P.S.: I like what you are doing with your channel.
So I had donated four large boxes like the kind you get that big packs of paper for an office from for those to a local community college. So I definitely recommend a community College is a great place to donate patterns, especially if they're clothing patterns. They may not use them, but their art and theather departments might. They might have a sewing class and they might offer the patterns for free for the students. You can also look and see if there's any local sewing groups for kids, girl scouts, etc. They might take some of them off your hands. Secondly, to make sure that I didn't purchase a lot of patterns in the future, I learned slopers and that means I can change any basic pattern to kind of what I'm looking for based off my measurements which is wonderful to do and third sometimes embrace that you're going to buy My girls have like every American girl doll pattern and I've never made a single thing for their American girl dolls even though now I have a bin full of fabric for them plus the patterns it just hasn't happened yet. It just goes so low on the priorities. And finally, I highly highly recommend when you purchase a patterns, Bring a post-it note pack with you and write down what you want to do. I want to make (A) in a blue dress with stripey fabric. So then when you bring it home you literally have an idea for it already written down and you can kind of work backwards. Okay. Now I need to find the blue stripey fabric. Oh, you know so and so has a sale. Let's go there and look for that. One specific thing okay, I need it all two and a half yards for this pattern. So let's go ahead and get three yards of this fabric and the zipper and everything else. If I don't have them on hand and then I don't end up buying as many patterns because "oh that's cute" instead I ask "what would I do with it ?" I also keep a bunch of like paper size baskets from the Dollar tree, the tall ones that are like 3 in tall that are just slightly bigger than a slight piece of paper. I'll put the pattern in it zippers, buttons etc for whatever project and then I keep the large index cards and I write down what it is I'm making etc. So that I can kind of keep a stack of those of all these projects I have on hand and so but I do have free time. I can pull one of the projects where I can look through them again and see which ones calling to me first
This video is so timely. I just recently made a pact with myself to not buy any new patterns. I’ve made a very small percentage of the patterns I own. To help me start using the patterns I already own I made a document that lists them all in one place with photos and categorized it by wovens vs knits and then by garment type. Now I have a catalogue of sorts that I can reference if I want to make something specific. Most of these patterns can be altered as well if I’m going for something that’s slightly different.
I sew for dolls, and I own some patterns I've made 10+ times and others I haven't even tried. I can defiantly relate- though many ones i haven't done are the free ones I get for promotions
Great video. The problems I have are: 1) I buy too many patterns (with no video) and really I am not good at reading patterns (or maybe too lazy) but I find I do much better watching someone make it on a video. 2) I have way too many bag patterns because I think they are so cute but in reality I don't have that many uses for a lot of bags. However, the smaller ones (pouches) I have actually made were from your videos and a few others (quick and easy to follow). Hope I am making sense :)
I was curious,. I had to check to see how many patterns I have. As of right now I have 4 adult patterns which I made something from those 4 and I have 6 kids patterns that I made something from those except for one. Though I do remember having a couple of patterns that were for scrubs but those patterns are long gone. I don't need scrubs anymore.😊
Thank you. Guilty. Sewing the patterns I have. Thanks for sharing.
Oh boy do I feel your pain! I have a 1/2 size file box stuffed with garment, quilt & craft patterns that I am currently destashing; I also had 4 2-inch binders full of quilt & craft projects pulled from magazines - WAAAAY too much. I now have a 1 2-inch binder only and the 1/2 sized file box is now just 3/4 full - I still need to destash further. At most I could sew 6 full sized quilts a year and maybe a few other projects if that's all I did. The rest of the patterns were either recycled (magazine pages) or donated to Goodwill (Second hand store) for someone else to find a "prize" on their shopping trip.
I got caught up in the $1.99 / $2.99 sales because patterns are only out for a limited time; but, I don't sew clothes that often (I HATE trying to fit and make adjustments). Although, I did replace a bunch of individual patterns with 1 base pant/skirt pattern and 1 base shirt/dress pattern that has a book & classes to change up those to make a bunch of different looks by changing sleeves, neckline, length etc. - don't know if that's better or worse - I may have just traded a file box of patterns that I won't make to just 2 patterns that I might not make lol! Oh, and I have a TON of free patterns PDFs that I downloaded - not sure how to destash those other than deleting.
Very good for sewing lovers.👍
Last time I went to the Sewing and Craft Expo near me I bought a bunch, that was in 2017, I haven't made one thing from those patterns. 😆 I think I've purchased one pattern (fabric basket pod) locally before Christmas and have yet to make it. lol I should start Christmas gifts now eh? lol
I’ve started sewing again. I was surprised at how many items that look so much the same, even within the same pattern book. I feel as if I’m seeing the same things but with different pictures.
Funnily enough after 20 years of sewing costumes, I do own a box of patterns... each project is usually something drastically different so a pattern will most likely only get used once. But I'd say about 20% of the pattern I've bought don't get used in a project. When I mock them up they are not right for the project and some I bought I haven't opened because they were DC'd and for $2CAN they MIGHT be useful as historical/retro patterns.
But as a realistic sewer, half the time I'm tracing my own clothes for patterns because they fit me. 🤭
I have a desk that has a file drawer in the bottom. I limit my patterns by. Making this the homer or my patterns. If it is full, no more buying
I think my fear is I can sew I’m limited and found learning via video etc easier as I’m dyslexic and patterns are frustrating thank you new here needed the ok that it’s ok too be at own pace also
Spot on, thanks
There is nothing like a TNT! Learn to hack patterns! Save money to buy All The Fabric! :)
Hi Jen! I realized I needed to curb my pattern stash about 3 months ago when I pulled out my pattern stash to organize it. I had a “come to Jesus” moment with myself and have decided not to buy any new patterns unless I really consider it, not just impulsively buy. I’m not going to say no buying, but I haven’t purchased very many patterns lately. Only ones that are unique and really do fit my lifestyle and body shape. It’s hard though, when I see the promotion and all the photos of a new release. I want to be cool, too, lol
I have 4 purchased sewing patterns. But I have 3 free pdf patterns I printed and cut out. But I have many more that I haven’t yet. I only have 2 variations of tops that I can hack, 2 for pants , 2 for sweats, 3 dress patterns. The pdf patterns I haven’t printed and cut, are bags, or home decor, and a few more dress and pants variations.
I don’t download or buy what I don’t need.
- About FOMO:
In Psychology Theory, there're three characters in every person as human being: 1. act like parents, 2. act like adulte, 3. act like a child...
And each of character comes up based on the situation you trapped in....
Long theory short, the FOMO is the good example for our "act like a child", the moments you attracted on something to buy... At that moment the child character was more dominant than the adult character in our mind...
This Theory I learned from my mom's psychology books, as she studied psychology in a university...
Hope it helps to understand this matter, that FOMO feeling could trapps us at one moment and we should know how to handle it with a clear mind set as an adult 👍😉
- About consume of sewing pattern:
As I approx. 10 years young, I bought a sewing magazine...
My mom asked me, which one I would choose the fashion of style in this magazine... and I couldn't answer that question...
Since then, I learned my own lesson and I buy everything, only if I want/need to use it 👍😁
To control our mind & heart arean art of life, we experienced from time to time...
GOOD LUCK to all of you 😉👍❣️
YOU CAN"T TELL ME WHAT TO DOOOOO, YOU"RE NOT MY MUUUUUUMMM! I'LL BUY ALL THE PATTERNS!😤 LOL Joke, obv. I'll be honest, I never got into the single pattern buying, I bought once a stash of vintage patterns, cause they were cheap and from the 40s to 80s, but I never buy new ones, cause a) they don't make my size, b) they are super expensive in my neck of the woods. I do, on the other hand, buy a lot of vintage sewing magazines (Burda, Pramo and such). I still can't simply make any clothes for myself with enclosed patterns, because of sizing, but I treat them as a fashion history study and inspiration, it's something completely different than reading magazines like Elle or Vogue, cause those pattern magazine give you something that would be very everyday and for everyone, and not only high fashion for rich people.
How can I sell my patterns not used?
Not clothes patterns, thought I have many of those from long ago. I have quilt patterns. Lots of quilt patterns and the fabric to make the quilts. sigh.
Patterns are too expensive to buy now anyway. I just tried to put a free PDF pattern together. First and last time. How are we supposed to know what the designer had in mind? I guess sewing includes mind reading now. I am not please about this PDF pattern mess. I'll buy used patterns.
Does anyone ever do a pattern swap with other sewists?
That's a great idea!
Well I see I am not alone here.