Where can I find really nice designs for clothes that I can sew?

Question

I sew but I'm tired of sewing the frumpy patterns at the walmart. Where can I find designs for clothes by designers like Alexander McQueen? How long are those patterns safegaurded after the clothes come out? I want to make things that i see in stores and in Vogue. Where can I find these patterns? Is there some sort of pattern warehouse or that type of website? Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't like using patterns, because then everyone can usually tell it's from a pattern. I make my own clothes without patterns. I just pin some fabric around me, then sew it, then try it on, and if it doesn't look right, then I sew it again. I just keep doing that, and add straps and sleeves and ribbon and cool stuff. It's alot more fun that way. Good luck!

Answer 2

if you go to JoAnns fabric they have vogue pattern books to look through and then you can pick the patterns.

Answer 3

Figure the pattern books are about 6-10 months behind the runways.  HOWEVER, there are plenty of patterns out there that can be turned into knockoffs of current designers, just by altering amount of flare, dart position, trimmings, etc.  In fact, it's pathetically easy to do so for most designers (Miyake is a major exception to that rule).  

There are some more fashion forward patternlabels than the Simplicity/McCalls you get at Walmart (though take a good look at NewLook... there's usually several trends that pop up there).  Burda, Ottobre Woman, Marfy all tend to be fashion - forward labels.  Drop over to http://www.patternreview.com and check out some of the independent labels to see if there are some that appeal to you.

Learn to draft or drape your own patterns... that's the fastest way I know of to learn to analyze the design elements of various RTW garments.   And upgrade your sewing skills.... home sewing patterns are generally not drafted to the same standard as a manufacturing pattern -- there are exceptions, and you learn to treasure the patterns that are properly drafted.  Get out the seam ripper and go after some upscale thrift store garments to see the inner construction -- that's another big difference between home sewing and pret a porter.  Manufacturing uses *much* more interfacing in more places than home sewing patterns, and when you start putting good interfacings in the correct places in your own clothes, they start looking better.  Pressing is the other big thing that can lift a garment from home-sewn-looking to designer.

Ready to wear patterns are NOT released to the home sewing market.    So if you want to do trendy, you need to learn to analyze the design elements and make your own patterns.