The Sewing Place

The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Patterns Discussion => Topic started by: Tiggy on August 14, 2019, 20:03:33 PM

Title: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Tiggy on August 14, 2019, 20:03:33 PM
I've seen a couple of gorgeous patterns on a site called https://indiesew.com/.  It's similar to The Foldline, and I've seen a couple of patterns that I would really like to make.  You can get them as PDF's, but the 2 patterns, plus the 20% tax came to more than $30.
That is a similar price to Vogue patterns, which don't need printing.  I appreciate that Vogue can be more economic because of the quantities they produce, but the price of the printed version of an indie pattern is only a couple of dollars more than the PDF.  This does not encourage me to buy.

Does anybody else feel like this, or am I just a tightwad?
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Vezelay on August 14, 2019, 20:48:17 PM
I  mostly buy indie pdf patterns these days so I'm used to the price and yes, they're not cheap although you can sometimes get a discount when they first come out. I assume they need to charge more because they sell less and you cant really equate them with a global company like Vogue. $30 for the two is £25 which seems about standard.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Nevis5 on August 14, 2019, 21:10:21 PM
I understand the arguments but I agree with you @Tiggy  I hate PDFs and won't buy them however pretty the pattern is.  The cost of printing them plus the endless cutting, sticking and retracing just seems a huge time suck to me.  I did break down and download a couple of baby patterns from Brindille & Twig just to try, and that was more than enough for me.

For now, if I can't get a paper copy of a pattern, I don't buy.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Tiggy on August 14, 2019, 21:18:00 PM
That is how I feel as well.  If I could get a paper pattern with all of the lovely instructions, then I would feel that I had an artisan created product, but PDFs don't feel like value for money in terms of materials, my labour to create it and my time.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Vezelay on August 14, 2019, 22:15:27 PM
PDFs do have their compensations. I like being able to print only the size(s) I want. Plus some of the indie pattern makers have sewalongs on their websites and I've found them quick to respond to email queries about construction. I know many of you don't need that kind of help but I find having the option useful. Of course some of the indies do print versions as well but most don't and anyway the postage cost rules them out for me.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Sewbusy on August 15, 2019, 03:30:21 AM
I have printed quite a few sewing patterns and find the whole process time consuming and sometimes, particularly with large ones the repetitive movements of my arthritic hands takes days to recover!

Sometime ago a friend sent me a couple of patterns her husband printed in A0 size, this a much better option for me.

I looked for a local print/copy shop to do this, Staples used to do them. I've found a few online sites where you upload your files and they post the printed patterns out. There are options for black and white or colour. Here's one

https://www.netprinter.co.uk/plan-printing/

This site gives other options.https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/sewing-pattern-printers/



Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Nevis5 on August 15, 2019, 06:34:18 AM
I've thought about sending the PDFs to a copy shop too, @Sewbusy but that adds to the cost of buying the pattern too.  Usually negating the difference between a PDF and a paper version in my eyes. 

I'm sure eventually I'll break down and creak into the 21st century if I want to carry on trying out new patterns and designs but for now it's a no-no for me.   I'm already beginning to panic about the amount of fabric I own along with the boxes of patterns so I'm pretty sure I could manage for a while without investing in anything new. 
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Acorn on August 15, 2019, 08:06:24 AM
@Tiggy PDF patterns usually come with extremely detailed instructions, often including pictures, which only need to be printed, not assembled in any way!

(Style Arc and Lekala/Bootstrap are the exceptions to this.)

I am delighted to be able to have patterns on proper paper rather than tissue, that I can print out as many times as I like.  I would rather stick together twenty patterns than trace one from tissue paper (or use it directly).  I've got to the point where I don't buy Big 4 patterns unless they are downloadable, apart from occasionally baby patterns, which are a manageable size.

Not all Indie patterns are expensive, either.  With most of them you could certainly buy the pattern and have it printed onto A0 by one of the online services for less than the cost of many tissue patterns.  You can generally get two A0 sheets printed and delivered for around £6.50, and that might even be two patterns (depending on the pattern and your size!)

Style Arc, of course, do offer nice, printed patterns (onto proper paper).  I still tend to print them myself though.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Efemera on August 15, 2019, 09:25:11 AM
I’ve just bought a PDF from Ellie and Mac, the Be mine Cardigan, worked out about £3.50. I’ve made a few of their patterns, the 90s dress is a favourite
https://www.ellieandmac.com/collections/wacky-free-patterns
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: charlotte on August 15, 2019, 09:44:55 AM
I used net printer for the first time recently and I was really pleased with it. It's not cheap though when you add it to the cost of the pattern.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: b15erk on August 15, 2019, 09:52:05 AM
Hmmm @Efemera , thanks for that link.  I've just bought some patterns, some were free, and some were $1!!

Have bookmarked it.

Jessie
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Acorn on August 15, 2019, 10:04:16 AM
I have quite a stash of Ellie and Mac patterns, bought on Wednesdays when a selection of their patterns are just $1 - a different selection each week.  The ones I've made have been excellent.  The Be Graceful dress is the one that springs to mind.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: b15erk on August 15, 2019, 10:06:30 AM
@Acorn , thanks for the information, there are some very nice patterns there.

I will definitely check on Wednesdays.

Jessie
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: sewmuchmore on August 18, 2019, 18:17:44 PM
@Tiggy which patterns are you looking at? Someone may be able to suggest a cheaper alternative.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Surest1tch on August 18, 2019, 18:49:45 PM
I understand the arguments but I agree with you @Tiggy  I hate PDFs and won't buy them however pretty the pattern is.  The cost of printing them plus the endless cutting, sticking and retracing just seems a huge time suck to me.  I did break down and download a couple of baby patterns from Brindille & Twig just to try, and that was more than enough for me.

For now, if I can't get a paper copy of a pattern, I don't buy.

You and me both
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Catllar on August 18, 2019, 19:12:29 PM
I've just printed trimmed and stuck a PDF of 63 pages. I think I deserve a medal or a stiff drink! :o :gin:
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Ohsewsimple on August 18, 2019, 19:26:06 PM
I’d go with the stiff drink @Catllar that’s a lot of pages!
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Clareew on August 18, 2019, 20:36:01 PM
I really enjoy pdf patterns, especially when they come with Layers which means you only need to print out the size you need so there is no tracing.  I currently favour Sinclair Patterns https://sinclairpatterns.com/ , most of their patterns come in petite/regular/tall which really cuts down on the number of adjustments I have to make.

I print out only the size and pieces I want and them tape them together on the glass back door.

If the pattern has huge pattern pieces then I agree buying pre printed or getting printed on A0 is the way to go.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Tamnymore on August 18, 2019, 21:04:29 PM
I prefer paper patterns  I do buy some pdfs, notably Stylearc, in their sales. The last pattern I bought from them worked out at £6 and with the additional free pattern that's pretty good value.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Catllar on August 18, 2019, 22:05:43 PM
I remember our dear DF is a fan of PDF - sticking and trimming many patterns in one sitting ( or standing)
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Acorn on August 18, 2019, 22:18:38 PM
I really enjoy pdf patterns, especially when they come with Layers which means you only need to print out the size you need so there is no tracing.  I currently favour Sinclair Patterns https://sinclairpatterns.com/ , most of their patterns come in petite/regular/tall which really cuts down on the number of adjustments I have to make.

Ooh - thank you!  Always glad to find a new source of patterns, especially when they come with a recommendation.   :D  (And I really like their prices!)
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Ohsewsimple on August 19, 2019, 13:14:48 PM
I see Sinclair patterns have a free cardigan pattern so might be worth trying to check out fit etc. 
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Fiona M on August 19, 2019, 13:15:51 PM
I'm a total convert to pdf patterns.  Having spent a small fortune on single size Style Arc patterns which I had to offload when I lost weight, I now regret not buying more in pdf.  My lovely Jalie pdf patterns; not a problem.  I just reprint in the appropriate size and off I go.  I find once you have assembled a couple you get into 'the zone' and can do it quickly.
Anyhow, heads up; following on from their recent 'bottoms' sale, Style Arc have 25% off their pdf 'tops' until 23rd August, so I have just replaced Blaire and Simone patterns, and also bought Hayward for good measure.
Title: Re: Price of PDF patterns
Post by: Acorn on August 19, 2019, 14:01:51 PM
Anyhow, heads up; following on from their recent 'bottoms' sale, Style Arc have 25% off their pdf 'tops' until 23rd August, so I have just replaced Blaire and Simone patterns, and also bought Hayward for good measure.

Yes - I've just had the email!!   :D  I hoped this would happen - I have a top already in my basket waiting for just such an occasion (as well as one of the monthly freebies, of course).