Best place for dress patterns?

[lucysmam]

I'm getting my machine repaired (finally now I replaced sherring elastic by hand ffs!)....and I want to make myself a couple of dresses.

I used to have a pattern block in my size that could easily be adapted to strappy/strapless/mini/maxi but can't find it anywhere

Any idea where I can get a cheap, basic pattern that I can then adapt to what I want it to be?

tia

My mum normally buys dress patterns from john Lewis. I'm not sure if they are the same ones you are talking about though. They can be cheap if you get them on sale, which we did but not sure what the damage will be if you but them full price.

John Lewis is good (Oxford Street has a good haberdashery dept although not sure where you are).

Online I have bought from www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk and www.colettepatterns.com and can recommend both.

Have a look on eBay - sort by price and look for ones under £3 incl postage

Or try local dept store (if you are in the north look for a Boyes) and usually they have offers on Butterick and New Look.

jaycotts online are often cheap too.

Look at the new look patterns all reduced to £2:95 with 85p postage
www.simplicitynewlook.com/new-look-patterns/#.VOJlAIbfXCQ

Jl have some online

Do you use a body form or just keep a pattern you know fits u?

Rhyme it was a size ten bodice/skirt block that I then made adjustments to.

I've been buying patterns for the mo, I'm planning to buy myself a pattern drafting book soon (when I save up)

jaycotts and sew essential are both good for online. To browse patterns I tend to go to sewingpatterns.com. It's a us site but the pictures and detail are better. Then google the pattern number or use ebay.

If you are wanting blocks and to draft your own have you thought of looking at a fitting shell pattern and going from that?
www.jaycotts.co.uk/products/b5627#.VOMovnggHCR

Just to add that jaycotts have McCalls on half price now!

Sewessential had the MacCall's pattern at half price as well.