OMGOMGOMG. I just read on Dress A Day that the University of Rhode Island is allowing free access to their Commercial Pattern Archive for one week. WOW! I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a pattern archive but I am happy to hear it exists. Normally you have to pay 120$ a year for access.
Login with the username “guest” and the password “pattern”.
Hello, I know what I will be doing this week, just call me ‘guest’!
Their search form looks great and really gives you many options to narrow down what you are looking for. You can find free clothing, needlework, embroidery, crochet and quilting patterns!
Go to it! Let me know what you find!
UPDATED:
So the free pattern downloading started yesterday and ends on August 25th 2009.
This archive is by no means perfect. There are some broken images and finding sewing instructions to go with your pattern pieces appears to be rare. BUT STILL. It’s awesome and having the shape of the pattern pieces is one step in the right direction.
Miss Fruitfly says
The mother-load! Thank you for posting…can’t wait to get started.
Corvus says
I’m finding all sorts of awesome patterns, but can’t figure how to get the actual pattern. Perhaps I’m missing something obvious?
rachel says
Thanks for the link and logon info. I just spent the time I should have used to be productive looking through that site. Were you able to print any of the patterns to scale?
Becky says
I’m with Corvus! Do we simply download what we see and then try to figure out how much to enlarge?