VV Free Patterns & Tutorials
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Copyright information: The pdfs posted here, my photos & illustrations, how the instructions are worded and the pattern diagrams are all under my copyright.
Please be respectful of my authorship and do not hotlink or re-post my PDF patterns or photographs for download elsewhere (ie google drive, your own servers etc.)
The link to share this page: https://wp.me/P4NGNF-46
Further information about usage can be read in my Terms & Conditions.
PRINTING PDFs: Print at 100% scale. Do not let your printer ‘auto-scale’, ‘auto-rotate’, ‘shrink-to-fit’, ‘it to paper’ etc.
A4 is- 21cm x 29.7cm / 8.26″ x 11.69″, US letter is 8.5″ x 11″, A0 is: 84cm x 118.9cm / 33.1″ x 46.8″
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Christmas Stocking- Pearly King & Queen style
(an original project I designed for Making Magazine in 2012)
I had removed this a while ago but having just seen thelittlecostumier on Instagram making one so have reinstated it!
Link for US letter pattern pdf- pearly-elf-christmas-stocking-pattern-us-letter-x6
Link for A4 pattern pdf- pearly-elf-christmas-stocking-pattern-a4x4
Link for instruction pdf- veravenusmakingmagpearly-stocking
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Up-cycle a plain shirt: June 2016
How to create this applique
Download the 3 page Appliqué tutorial and template HERE
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Reversible Stole Redux Dec.2015
It was about time I updated this pattern and tutorial as it is one of the earliest I posted so here it is:
Download new A4 tiled pattern and instructions
Download new US letter tile pattern and instructions
pattern size- UK 10/12 US 8/10
(around-shoulders measurement 42″-43″)
Totally simple to make larger or smaller
skill level- intermediate
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Box-pleated Skirts July 2015
*please note- this is a POST with a formula for working out number of pleats and fabric amount to your waist size, it is NOT an actual pattern*
Click the pic to be taken to the instructional post.
any size
skill level- easy
box pleat skirt drafting instructions
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Sweetheart Halter Dress July 2015
UK 12/ US 8 36″-37″ bust/ 29-30″” waist
Skill level: Intermediate
A4 Bodice tiled pdf & A4 1/2 Circle Skirt tiled pdf
US Letter Bodice tiled pdf & US Letter 1/2 Circle Skirt tiled pdf
use the bodice to make a playsuit or ‘wiggle’ dress !
See my French Knicker pattern further down the page which can be used for shorts
and
there is also my Skirt Drafting tutorial to make a pencil skirt in your own size.
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Mock-Wrap Jersey Dress
April 2015
UK10-12 /US 6-8 35″-37″ bust
24 page pattern + instructions (27 pgs to print in all)
!! It has just come to my attention that half of the sewing instructions in the full pdfs below are missing 😲
I will fix it asap (mid May) but in the meantime
you need to download the separate instructions as well as the pattern.
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
USA letter tiled pattern A4 tiled pattern
Full Size Pdf (A0+ 84.1cm x 166 cm)
Skill level: Intermediate
For jersey/knit fabrics only!
Pussycat Bow blouse
Feb, 2015
Blouse size UK s/m: bust 89cm-93cm/ 35″-37″bust
Similar to the pattern for the blouse below it’s a a front buttoning bow tied round neck blouse- a simple kimono shape with tucks at the hip to shape.
I’ve included a little diagram in the pdf showing how to do a FBA to the pattern.
USA letter tiled pattern and sewing instructions
A4 tiled pattern and sewing instructions
Skill level: easy
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Keyhole Neck Blouse
feb. 2015
A simple magyar/kimono style blouse. Worn with or without shoulder pads depending on what decade you are aiming for.
NB: My sample blouse has 2 keyhole cut-outs, the pattern has 3.
Change as you like.
Blouse size UK s/m: bust 89cm-93cm/ 35″-36 1/2″
15 page download including the 12 page pattern, a pattern assembly guide, measurements, cutting and basic sewing info.
See the pictorial on how to make simple shoulder pads -here-
skill level: intermediate as the sewing instructions are basic and assume prior sewing knowledge. But you won’t know unless you have a go!
Skill level: easy
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Cardigan/Kimono Coat
Slinky Bias Slip
(and nightgown)
3 sizes included on the pattern:
84cm-99cm bust / 89cm-104 hip (33″-39″ bust / 35″-41″hip)
Tiled patterns links:
Click here for tiled A4 pattern and instruction pdf (24 pages)
Click here for tiled US Letter pattern and instruction pdf (24 pages)
For those of you fortunate to have access to large format printing here is the full non tiled pattern:
A0 Full Size pattern LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS ONLY
Slip Sewing instructions only (4 pages)
skill level: intermediate-advanced
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50’s Style Dress
A project I recently created for the Dec.2013 issue of Making magazine:
A sleeveless 1950’s style dress with full box pleated skirt
UK size 10 : to fit approximately 34″ bust-27″ waist
Download tiled A4 dress pattern and instructions
Warning : 33 pages to print
For those of you fortunate to have access to large format printing here is the full size non tiled pattern:
Dress Bodice A1 LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS ONLY (59.4 cms x 84.1 cms / 33.1 inches x 23.4inches)
Dress Skirt A0 LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS ONLY (84.1 cms x 118.9 cms/ 33.1 inches x 48.8 inches)
skill level: intermediate
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Dinky Little Handbag Dec. 2013
I’ve combined the instructions and template from the magazine with a home printable version of the bag pattern.
download US letter tiled format
skill level: intermediate
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Sundress Bodice UPDATED May 1 2014
A little something for the hot weather: a Sundress bodice that can be added to many styles of skirt…or added to shorts for a playsuit.
Updates: A couple of small notch corrections and more sewing instructions so hopefully easier for beginners 🙂
Sized for a 35-37″/89-94cm bust
Download: US Letter tiled Pattern
Download: A4 tiled Pattern
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Draft a circle skirt to your own size waist
Circle skirt tutorial- drafting to your size & sewing instructions
Tutorial: Make a circle skirt to your own waist measurement.
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Little Bias Dress (LBD)
LittleBiasDress free pattern
skill level: Advanced
An original pattern drafted by yours truly to make this little bias dress
UK size 10/12 US 8/10 ( Bust 36/37″, Full Hip 36″-38″)
with instructions on how to adapt the pattern to turn it into a 30’s style nightgown .
To download first there is a 4 page pdf which covers fabric, sewing the dress and adapting the pattern for the nightgown:
LBD Pattern info & Sewing Instructions
Then download one of the pattern pdfs:
Download LBD A4 tiled pattern
Download LBD US letter tiled pattern
Download NOT TILED pdf pattern , LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS ONLY : A0 or 33″x 46 3/4″
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Skirt Drafting Tutorial
Draft basic skirts to your own size!
A Skirt drafting tutorial, mainly for the green 30’s style pictured but also covering a basic Pencil Skirt pattern and A-line skirt
March 2013
Pattern Pieces for 50’s Style Bucket Pockets
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French Knicker Tutorial
(given a slight rewrite July 2016)
Download: Sew-Along pdf
Includes very detailed sewing instructions on cutting slippery fabrics, french seams, pin hemming appliquéing lace and more.
Slightly flared 1940’s style French Knicker
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1930’s style PJ Top Pattern
March 2013
Download A4 tiled pattern 30’s style PJ Top pdf
Download US Letter tiled pattern 30’s style PJ Top pdf
Full pattern and basic sewing instructions in the PDF
Fits a 34″/35″ bust and with a little added to the side seams would easily fit a 37″bust)
See this Threads Magazine article on basic pattern grading.
Sewing level -Intermediate
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50’s Style UnderPants
An easy to make“Grannie-Pannie” 50s style big knicker pattern in .pdf format
Download USA letter tiled pattern
The pattern is UK size 10-12 but easy to grade up or down following the Threads Magazine how-to in my links.
For one or two way stretch fabrics. The sample pictured was made from a 1-way stretch silk.
The sizing will vary based on the stretch of your fabric…. I recommend that you make a practice pair first to get an idea of the fit!
sewing level-Easy
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1940’s Style Mini Cape
Download 30’s/40’s Retro style mini cape pattern pdf
This is for the pattern only, there are no sewing instructions.
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Circular French Knickers
tutorial to draft and make to your size
At long last the newly corrected Circular Knicker tutorial returns 🙂
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Pretty Beaded Edging Tutorial
Technique to make a hand beaded edging on an existing collar (or neckline, cuff etc.)
Sewing level-Easy
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Copyright information: The pdfs posted here, my photos & illustrations, how the instructions are worded and the pattern diagrams are all under my copyright. Please be respectful of my authorship and do not hotlink or re-post my PDF patterns or photographs elsewhere.
If you’d like to share anything from this page this is the link: https://wp.me/P4NGNF-46
Further information about usage can be read in Terms & Conditions.
Thank you and enjoy.
Jun 24, 2017 @ 14:44:47
I have searched and searched for the 50’s Hawaiian dress with knotted shoulders – free sewing pattern – Sew Different, and am unable to get the downloaded pattern. I have tried and tried to download it with no results.
Jun 26, 2017 @ 11:41:51
I’m not clear Linda whether you can’t actually find the pattern or just can’t dl it ….anyway the dress used by Sew Different was my 50’s style Dress which is on my free stuff page below the Bias Slip pattern and above the little black handbag… I just checked the download links and they seem to all be working ( checked via both Chrome and Safari browsers). The pattern for the shoulder knot was on the Sew Different page last time I looked.
Jun 23, 2017 @ 21:53:14
Love, love, love your designs! Thank you!
Jun 12, 2017 @ 20:55:01
Could you point me toward a tutorial, or offer a word of guidance on how to enlarge the bust pieces on the bias slip. The total circumference is perfect, but my shape is a bit atypical. It is a beautiful pattern, by the way, and making is successfully was so satisfying! Thank you.
Jun 13, 2017 @ 09:09:25
Hi Sarah, it really depends on how/where exactly you need to enlarge those pieces. For instance if your bust is lower than where the bust seam is you’d need to add to the bottom of the bust pieces and scoop a similar amount away from the main slip body. I can give you more specific advice if you’d like to email me via my contact form
(it’s under the drop down menu at the top of the page) and tell me more about the adjustment you want to make.
May 16, 2017 @ 19:40:44
Thank goodness I’ve found you! I’ve been teaching myself to sew over the last 3 years and found you by looking for a bias-cut slip pattern. I plan to print and figure out how to size up for my plus figure, but I’ll let you know how it goes. LOVE your work and look forward to more patterns!
May 17, 2017 @ 19:42:25
I’m glad you found me too 🙂 As to sizing up patterns have a look at the Threads grading link in my sidebar, it’s a good method!
Jun 11, 2017 @ 21:37:30
Thank you that was my question 🙂 too
Jun 13, 2017 @ 09:15:52
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4424/quick-reference-for-cut-and-spread-pattern-grading 🙂
Apr 30, 2017 @ 13:15:59
This is a wonderful post. I am just returning to the joy of sewing!!
Apr 22, 2017 @ 20:11:49
You have inspired me to start making again. Thank you
Apr 27, 2017 @ 18:28:07
Thank you Val, that is the best reaction I’ve heard in a while… best of luck with getting back to making!!
Apr 05, 2017 @ 09:09:52
Thank you for your lovely work
Apr 07, 2017 @ 21:49:56
You are welcome! 🙂
Mar 11, 2017 @ 12:16:46
I sent photos, I hope you got them! It’s 3am here in Alaska and I can’t see straight from sewing the Stole so I hope I sent photos to the proper email account
Mar 11, 2017 @ 15:18:39
I did and thanks so much, a gorgeous result!
Mar 07, 2017 @ 21:40:30
I have a question, on the Stole, where and when did you insert the pompom ties?
Mar 08, 2017 @ 10:15:40
The ties are inserted at the same level as the pleats and they get sewn in when the fabric and fur layers are bagged out at the centre fronts. I can see now that is not clear in the instructions…. I will fix that as soon as I can.
Mar 08, 2017 @ 18:16:34
Thank you So much for your quick response. I just started cut out last night and planning on sewing today! After studying the pattern and photos I see in the picture where you show how it’s done. The materials blend so it makes it look like you are just showing the pleated front and not the insertion of the ties. Thank you again!! I can’t wait to put it All together! You are amazing!
Mar 09, 2017 @ 11:42:41
just give me a shout if anything else needs clarifying. I’d love to see what you make!
Mar 06, 2017 @ 10:00:29
Where have you been all my life ! Love it all thankyou
Mar 06, 2017 @ 13:27:52
🙂 🙂 🙂
Mar 04, 2017 @ 02:42:52
Love your. Patterns.
Mar 04, 2017 @ 10:35:55
🙂 thanks!
Feb 20, 2017 @ 23:37:09
What fun patterns!!! Going to give the party dress a try.
Feb 17, 2017 @ 01:02:23
It appears that the Bodice Tile pdf has been blocked out?
Feb 17, 2017 @ 09:57:03
I checked through all my links and from this end all appear to work. Perhaps try your download from a different browser… ie if you use Firefox try Chrome?
Feb 10, 2017 @ 15:23:43
Love your site which I have found through Pinterest. I love the blanket coat
Feb 11, 2017 @ 09:57:24
Hi Janet, I’m glad you stopped in! Enjoy the blanket coat pattern 🙂
Feb 02, 2017 @ 10:45:43
A wonderful collection. Well done!
Feb 02, 2017 @ 23:31:39
Thanks Sharon, hope you found something you will use 🙂
Jan 31, 2017 @ 14:49:49
This is such a wonderful tutorial ! I made little bias dress with lycra .It was great .Thanks a lot .
Jan 31, 2017 @ 17:42:23
. I’ll bet that looks great in lycra Azi, good thinking!