Free Sewing Patterns for Plus Size Women

Differences in Free Sewing Patterns for Plus Size Women

Sewing isn't always all about making things from nothing, though it can be, and if you can master it, you should be proud; flaunt your work! A tweak here and there, though, can make all the difference in the world to your wardrobe.

Burda Style

Burda Style has free sewing patterns for plus size women--for all types of apparel up to size 18. If you need a cute, simple dress, try the Shari. It has a flowing, flirty skirt and is great for spring, summer and even fall. The Anda is another cute dress, perfect for any season depending on how you accessorize and the fabric from which you create it.

The Janina pants, depending on the materials you use, can be fabulous for any season. They're designed with wide legs and can be dressed up or down. This pattern includes pants and shorts.

Need a top to go with the Janina pants? The Emily shirt can fit the bill. It's slightly fitted, long-sleeved and button-up. The sleeves are extra long for a different type of style. Scrunch them up or flip the cuff up.

Visit the site and check out all 14 pages. The sizes available vary, but there are several with larger measurements for plus size designs. These patterns take you from shapeless fabric to apparel masterpiece.

Leave "From Scratch" to Biscuits

Sometimes it's easier—and more practical—to take something old and morph it into something new. It's rewarding to take a piece you're tired of wearing and contemplating throwing out—and giving it a new life by turning it into something brand new. Here are a few examples:

• The Blue Jean Skirt: This one's an easy one and it works for any size. Just take an old pair of blue jeans and get busy cutting and sewing. Who says you have to donate that old pair of pants? Get yourself something new with just a little bit of time, some thread, and know-how. Here are the instructions—for free—from SavvySeams.com.

• Six Yolk Skirt: Patterns That Fit You has a Six Yolk Skirt pattern that's guaranteed to fit, no matter what your size.

• Sweatshirt to Vest: All Free Crafts gives you a step-by-step look at how to turn a sweatshirt into a vest with colorful embellishments. It works for any size.

• Drawstring Pants: This isn’t so much a pattern as a how-to session on taking a regular waistband and turning it into a drawstring waistband. It's a great way to give yourself some new lounge pants. There's only a little bit of sewing and you're not creating pants from scratch, so this one is a good "pattern" for beginners.

• From T-Shirt to Robe: Another simple pattern that takes one item of clothing and transforms it into another is the t-shirt (or sweatshirt) to robe idea. Go to Craft Fabric Links for the instructions.

A Final Word

It can be a challenge to find complicated, from-scratch patterns online for free. You can find quite a few sets of instructions, though, that tell you how to rework your wardrobe. You may not be able to learn how to take slinky fabric from the store and whip up a cocktail dress online without at least a minimal fee, but you can definitely exercise your sewing skills based on what you can find online.