Modern Styles of Modest Sewing Patterns

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The McCall Pattern Company headquarters in New York

Headquarted in New York City with additional offices in Kansas, Canada, England and Australia, The McCall Pattern Company is one of the largest home sewing pattern manufacturers in the world. McCall also offers pattern printing services to independent patternmakers. McCall retails several brands, all with modest options.

Simplicity Pattern Company

Simplicity Pattern Company has been manufacturing home sewing patterns since 1927. The founder of the Fashion Belle website was privileged to tour Simplicity's New York offices in 2008, and the scene was much like that at any other clothing company, with designers and merchandisers collaborating around trend inspiration boards and clothing samples. The provided link leads to views of Simplicity's various pattern collections, including New Look and Burda, which are not particularly known for modesty but which offer a broad and frequently updated style selection that dressmakers can alter for more coverage as needed.

Sewing Patterns directory website for many pattern brands

The mega-retailer of sewing patterns online, SewingPatterns.com sells most pattern brands, including independent ones, often with promotional sales. This site is quick to navigate, though links are not always updated, and many of the featured brands offer a larger selection of patterns on their home sites than are available through SewingPatterns.com. However, a few brands use this site as their exclusive online pattern outlet for North America.

Favorite Things Pattern Designs

Canadian-based designer and patternmaker Leslie Gladman founded the company Favorite Things with the tagline "patterns that fit." Children's and women's "wearables" make up the majority of patterns offered. A selection of accessory and home decor patterns complete the collection.

Marie-Madeline Studio

A selection of boutique-style clothing patterns are offered at this site. The designs employ creative use of fabric print combinations for a youthful, retro look. Look also for an extensive stock of printed cotton fabrics and an especially cute culotte pattern for girls in sizes 2 to 14.

You Can Sew! DVD Set from Modesty Matterns

Using 65 video lessons, a textbook and printable patterns on DVD and CD, the You Can Sew! kit leads beginning sewers from a basic to intermediate sewing level. Some tutorials are available for individual purchase and include modern and vintage dresses, skirts, a split skirt, accessories and swim dresses.

Ringger Clothing patterns

The Ringger family supplies ready-to-wear and offers several of its most popular styles in pattern form, including the versatile peasant top pattern pictured here.

Brown Paper Patterns basic silhouettes

The ultimate in basics, these patterns offer very simple designs. From the site, "Brown Paper Patterns are pattern packages that offer simple style and easy construction. Each package contains patterns for five classic garments. . . . A collection of basics for those who enjoy simplicity and easy elegance in the clothes they wear. Enjoy!"

CNT Pattern Co. patterns for hand-dyed batik fabrics

This company's clothing patterns are designed to work well with the hand-dyed rayon and cotton batiks from Bali, Indonesia, that are sold on the fabric section of this site.

Kayla Kennington Pattern Collection, contemporary artwear

Fabric collage techniques with oriental influence are found in a collection of seven patterns from this designer. The patterns are simple to sew and do not have facings, darts or zippers, only ties for closure and shaping. A unique, full-cut, modest pant pattern within the collection is titled Perennial Pant.

Tutorial on how to make a satin stole to add coverage to shoulders

Stoles are useful for adding shoulder coverage to formal dresses. A friend offered the following advice. "Obviously, they used much heavier satin than what I have, because mine are floppy! They said '2 yards' then 'cut 80 inches,' but only 72 inches is possible in 2 yards. At least it didn't take too long, 60 minutes each."

Indygo Junction

Find loose-fitting clothing patterns with retro inspiration from this crafting company. Included in the pattern collection is an Artisan Pant which flares like a gaucho and girls' clothing patterns including a Flouncy Pant that is full enough to look like culottes. McCall Pattern Company is also an online distributor of the majority of this pattern collection.

Homestead Blessings - The Art of Sewing DVD tutorials

Scroll down the page to find The Art of Sewing DVD, a video tutorial providing basic instruction for cutting out and assembling a garment to advanced sewing tips and ideas.

J. Stern Designs sewing patterns

The blouse pattern shown is our favorite from this pattern collection and the reason we are reviewing this label. The slim waist yoke design allows this top to drape well when worn over a skirt.

The Sewing Workshop Collection

This pattern collection is worth a look for many reasons, one of them being this unique split skirt pattern called a Tahoe Pant that looks like a skirt when standing but is bifurcated underneath the center pleats. Other loose-fitting tops, skirts and pants with simple, modern lines are also offered by this label.

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