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Pattern Storage Envelopes

I cannot tell you how long I’ve been looking for a simple, stylish way to store my sewing patterns! So I am stoked to bring you our newest product.. The Pattern Archive Envelope.

Study, stylish and with room for you to get creative. No more struggling to get your sewing patterns back into the original envelope. 

Best of all is the opportunity to add the pattern artwork to the envelope! A chance for a little creativity!

I’ve always found storing my sewing patterns a bit of a challenge. I tried a few solutions before we developed our storage envelopes, plastic wallets and cardboard envelopes, but nothing quite clicked, they were either messy or impractical. So we are super proud to bring you your very own pattern archive! 

The envelopes are strong and sturdy with a side gusset  giving the capacity to take a large amount of pattern paperwork. They are perfect for storing your original dressmaking pattern alongside your traced pattern pieces.

 

Illustrate your storage envelope

Best of all is the opportunity to add the pattern artwork to the envelope to give it even more visual appeal! We’re stoked to be able to add this chance for a little creativity! Our top suggestions for adding a pattern image are:

  • Print the instruction booklet cover  The easiest option is to print an extra copy of the instruction booklet as they normally have the artwork on the front. If the image is too big you could copy it into word and resize it before you print it.
  • Photocopy the pattern envelope  Again, you might have have to fiddle with the scale on the photocopier to get the image the right size.
  • Draw your own!  Whether it’s your own self drafted pattern or a hack of an existing pattern, why not draw your own artwork? From a simple pencil sketch to a full blown collage
  • Print a photo of the garment you made. This will serve as a great reminder of how your first one turned out, and give you inspiration for future versions. 

Storing your envelopes

Our top tip for extra level organisation is to use some washi tape on the top edge to colour code the type of pattern inside, how about coding them according to

  • Garment type
  • Who the pattern is for
  • Your tried & tested favourites 


The envelopes come with a peel and seal closure, but since we’re going to be using it over and over again we’ve chosen to seal ours with washi tape.

Pattern Storage Envelopes

General tips and points to remember…

  • The terms jersey, knitted and stretchy fabric can get used interchangeably, not just here but generally as you look around online you’ll see these terms being used to refer to similar things.
  • This fabric can be made from a variety of fibres such as cotton, viscose, modal, polyester, wool and bamboo. Usually they will also have a percentage of a stretchy fibre such as elastane or spandex.
  • The thickness or weight of them can be described in grams per square meter but as this number is hard to put into context and isn’t always available more subjective terms can be used to describe them such as light weight, medium weight etc
  • They can also be referred to with special more technical names such as ponte roma, double knit, single knit, sweatshirting and loop back. I’ll cover the most common ones below in more detail
  • I've tried to keep things are relevant as possible for the home dressmaker. These is lots of other more detailed and technical information out there but I hope this summery helps you understand more about this great fabric and how to sew it into your handmade wardrobe.

How to work out the amount and type of stretch

They stretch in different ways by different amounts. Some fabrics have a two way stretch and will stretch between the selvedges. Some have a 4 way stretch and will stretch lengthwise as well as between the selvedges. Use a swimsuit as a way to remember - it’s a 4 way stretch as it must stretch the length of your body as well as the width of your body.

The percentage of stretch refers to how much the fabric physically stretches, NOT the percentage of stretchy fibre (spandex or elastase) that is in them. Sewing patterns will typically as for a minimum percentage of stretch the fabric must have.

Why is percentage stretch important?

Sewing patterns designed for this type of fabric are typically designed with negative ease. This means that the garment you make will be smaller than your actual body measurement so that it stretches and fits around you. That’s why it's really important to use the right amount of stretch, otherwise you won’t be able to get the garment on/off or move in it!

How to use your Stretch Percentage Measurer

If you’re using a pattern which is designed for jersey fabrics then it will probably tell you the stretch percentage that the fabric you use needs to have. This is different from the stretch content, which is how much elastane or lycra is in the fabric.

Step One

Hold a 10cm section of your fabric, stretch it as far as it will comfortably stretch, without over stretching

Step Two

Every centimetre over 10 will correspond to 10% of stretching. So if your test piece stretches to 14cm, then the fabric has 40% stretch.