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Free winter sewing patterns

It looks like we are set for a long cold winter this year, so our thoughts have been turning to nice warm garments and layers to keep us warm. We've found several great free patterns to help keep you cozy and warm this winter. Why not grab one of our Maker's Workbooks to keep a log of the ones you choose to make.

Deer & Doe Plantain T-shirt

This free 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt pattern from French Pattern brand Deer and Doe makes the perfect base layer. Why not whip up a few to wear under thick jumpers this year?  Download the free pattern here.

Melly Sews Long Sleeve T-shirt

If you'd prefer full length sleeve then this free long sleeve t-shirt pattern from Melly Sews is just what you need.

Ladies' Raglan Top

This ladies' raglan top pattern from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom could be made up in jersey to be used as a long sleeve t-shirt, or from sweatshirt fabric or sleeve to use as a jumper. Get the free pattern here:

Boxwood Hoodie

You can't get much cosier than this fabulous hoodie pattern from from Mood Fabrics. Guaranteed to keep you warm this winter!  Although it looks pretty unisex to us this is the men's version and there's a free woman's hoodie pattern on their site here. 

Neck Warmers

Made for Mermaids have a free pattern for neck warmers for the entire family! Perfect for winter walks.

The Hoodie

I pretty much live in these zip up style hoodies all winter long. When it's really cold I layer them over a jumper and long sleeve t-shirt. This free zip up hoodie pattern from So Sew Easy comes with a lined hood to keep you warm, and could be made in sweatshirt fabric, or in fleece for extra warmth.

Snuggly Slipper Boots

These fab slipper boots from Tilly & The Buttons are just what you need for wearing around the house this winter.

Sherpa lined cowl

This snuggly cowl project from Purl Bee is lined with sherpa fleece to keep the chill out

Easy Fleece Beanie

This free cuffed fleece beanie pattern from Bombshell Bling can be made in fleece or faux fur and you can easily whip it up in under an hour! 

Free winter sewing patterns

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.