Saying Goodbye to Fabric-Store’s Free Patterns
If you’ve visited Fabric‑Store.com recently hoping to grab one of their once-free sewing patterns, you might’ve been in for a rude surprise. After many years and dozens of beautiful free patterns the Fabric Store are now charging $9.97 for the PDF patterns that were once free. The website did not provided any reasoning about their decision to charge. Now, instead of over one hundred free PDF patterns they offer only 10. It is very hard for me to say goodbye to Fabric-Store’s free patterns!
Hopefully you were able to download some of your favorites. Unfortunately for beginner sewist that just recently discovered Fabric Store’s patterns getting those PDF files will take a bit of searching the dark web. I went straight to Reddit.com to find out more about what happened, and as the r/craftsnark subreddit recently pointed out, many patterns that were previously offered at no cost are now mysteriously charging $10 each—and apparently with zero notice to users.
One user shared what many of us experienced:
“I literally just downloaded maybe 20 free patterns two weeks ago. This was very recent and unannounced. $10 for a pattern that was free is crazy…” Reddit
Community Reaction: Frustration & Backlash
I was so shocked when I found out that the pattern I wanted to make (the Noa shirt) this past weekend was no longer free. And comments across the Reddit thread expressed disappointment and disbelief at the sudden change:
“I assumed they had free patterns to sell more fabric… but honestly, I always hated navigating their site.” Reddit
“If the $10 digital patterns are still just offered as tape-it-together PDFs, that’s a bold move.”
For many sewists, the pricing feels especially unfair given that instructions are buried in offsite blog posts—not included directly in the PDFs—making them sparse and frustrating for beginners.
I share everyone’s frustrations as a beginner sewinst, I find very risky paying for a pattern that I might be ready to make. Everything I have sewn so far was pillow cases and tote bags, and now that I feel confident I can venture new territories all the free patterns are gone! And so is my confidence!
Was It Too Good to Be True?
Some Reddit users speculated that the free patterns may have always been a marketing strategy to boost fabric sales—especially targeting beginners likely to buy the suggested materials. One commenter put it bluntly:
“I made the Chelsea Top and Luana Dress in the past… I wouldn’t pay $10 for the ones I downloaded for free, though.”
And while I understand that times are tough and businesses have to make difficult decisions to stay afloat, what really stings is the abruptness of the change—no heads-up, no email, no blog post, not even a note on their site. Just… gone.
As a loyal customer, I care about this brand. I’ve supported it, recommended it, and felt part of its creative world. I love their fabrics—the linens are superb—and they offer great sales, too. I’m going to continue supporting them because I truly value what they offer.
But this sudden shift, without transparency or communication, feels disheartening and, frankly, disconnected from the community that helped them grow. Even a simple message would’ve gone a long way. In times like these, inclusion and honesty matter. We don’t just want to buy—we want to belong.
My Favorite Patterns (And Why I’m Grateful I Saved Them)
I feel really lucky that I was able to download several of their free patterns before they disappeared. In fact, my very first handmade garment was the Augustina Top—such a beautiful, simple, and fun project! I made it in white linen, then later dyed it pink. I wore it so much that now it’s totally worn out—but that’s how you know it was loved.
I also made the Magda Crisp Linen Pants in a black linen-viscose blend. They weren’t quite as beginner-friendly as the Augustina, but still very doable. It took me an entire weekend to complete them because I was extra cautious and still building my confidence. Totally worth it—they were a dream to wear. NYC summers can be brutal, and I was so grateful to have my Magda pants and Augustina top keeping me cool and breezy.
Next on my list: the Paola Workwear Jacket, Phoebe Linen Tank, and Luciana Dolman Sleeve Faux-Wrap. I am also working on a pattern called Taylor Line Swing Blouse that is no longer available. I’m heading straight to the archive to grab what I can before they’re gone for good.
I have lots of free and bought patterns and I’ll be sharing my sewing projects here as a way to stay accountable and hopefully inspire you to make your own, too.
Big Picture: Trends in the Sewing World
This shift comes on the heels of seismic changes in the sewing industry—Joann’s recent bankruptcy and the closure of all its U.S. stores has left many sewists without a go-to for affordable notions, fabrics, and in-person inspiration. On top of that, the liquidation of iconic pattern brands like Simplicity, Vogue, McCall’s, and Butterick has shaken the foundation of home sewing as we know it. For decades, these companies were staples in our craft rooms and cornerstones of learning for so many of us. Now, their uncertain future puts access, pricing, and even the survival of physical printed patterns at risk.
In moments like this, when the corporate landscape feels shaky and less aligned with makers’ needs, it becomes even more vital to lean into our communities. That’s why I created this blog. This is just my second post—but it’s the start of something deeper. I want this space to be a hub where we share ideas, tips, techniques, and inspiration, not just to keep sewing alive, but to make it thrive on our own terms.
We creatives are natural problem-solvers. When we come together, we don’t just patch the holes—we redesign the whole garment. Whether you’re sewing your first hem or drafting your own patterns, I believe we can build a self-sufficient, supportive, anti-corporate maker culture. Let’s revive the DIY spirit, uplift one another, and stitch a more sustainable future—one thread at a time.
Alternatives to Fabric‑Store.com
If you’re looking for free or low-cost pattern options, consider:
- Grab archived versions of Fabric‑Store patterns via the Wayback Machine or googling PDFs—but act fast! They might disappear soon! Check this Reddit thread to find out if some members can email you a pattern or two. My favorite way to find free patterns is watching YouTube channels and Pinterest.
- There are dozens of creatives who share free indie patterns. Mood is now the only one I know offering all patterns for free. But other blogs like Seamwork, Burda Style, Sew Daily, AllFreeSewing, and so much more!
If you made it this far—thank you! ♥ And if you’re new here, hi and welcome! This is just my second blog post. If you’re curious about what came before, check out my first-born post about homemade deodorants. It’s efficient, fun, and totally natural.
Reader Takeaway
- Don’t wait to download freebies—providers can change terms overnight. I now made the decision to download all the free patterns Mood Sewciety has available! They have hundreds of free patterns and I hope they will keep them forever free.
- Before investing $10 for a basic PDF without full instructions, reach out to the community and ask if someone would be willing to share the pattern with you. There are lots of makers, youtubers, sewists, and artists that would be more than happy to share. You can definitely reach out to me!
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