It’s the end of an era for paper sewing patterns in Australia.
Simplicity and McCall Pattern Service Australia have announced they are closing their Sydney warehouse. If you’ve ever browsed the pattern aisle at your local craft shop, you’ll know these are the folks behind the ‘big four’ pattern brands: Simplicity, McCall’s, Vogue Patterns, and Butterick.
As The Guardian reports, they were the major suppliers of paper patterns to craft retailers and reportedly supplied 99% of Spotlight’s patterns.
For many home sewists, flipping through those thick catalogues and picking out tissue-paper envelopes was all part of the ritual. This is something Senior content producer Rachel Iorfino remembers fondly.
“I used to love picking out patterns at Spotlight,” she says, admitting, “I mostly buy them from second-hand stores now.”
Where to buy sewing patterns
If the big four really did supply almost all of Spotlight’s patterns, that’s a pretty big gap to fill. So where do we go from here?
“There are so many patterns in the world, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about,” says Rachel.
As it turns out, she is right, and there are still plenty of options for home sewists. In fact, I would argue there are more ways to buy patterns now than ever before. (Side note: If you do want to grab some sewing patterns, some are currently 50% off at Spotlight.)
Independent pattern designers
Independent designers are everywhere these days, selling PDF patterns straight from their own websites or on Etsy.
The best part? It’s just so convenient. You can download a pattern instantly, print it at home (or at a copy shop if your printer is as moody as mine), and use it again and again. No waiting for shipping, and no more worrying about tearing that delicate tissue paper.
Some Australian brands, like Common Stitch, offer modern patterns in many sizes, and you can get them instantly, digitally. And if you’re not quite ready to go fully digital, plenty of independents will still mail you a printed pattern. It’s a nice middle ground.
YouTube and online communities
If you’re new to sewing, YouTube and online sewing groups are absolute gold.
You’ll find free tutorials, pattern ideas, and loads of practical tips for adjusting or customising your clothes. These are things you used to have to learn in a class. Some creators even give away free printable patterns or show you how to draft your own.
Online sewing schools
Online sewing schools are popping up everywhere, too. Geneva’s DIY School, for example, has beginner courses with step-by-step lessons, downloadable templates, supply lists, and printable resources, all for $49.
If you’re feeling nostalgic about the big four, I get it. It does feel like the end of something familiar. But sewing isn’t going anywhere. If anything, there are more tools, teachers, and patterns out there now than ever before.
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