Sewing patterns getting back into sewing plus tall

[Daddylonglegs1965]

I have recently started to get back into sewing. It am 6ft tall and plus sized (22 in shops) any pattern recommendations please I like the look of Tilly & the buttons and Merchant Mills. I have heard the independent patterns are easier is that right?

Also recommendations of where to get some nice printed jersey and some linen mix to keep me cool.
I know I should start on v cheap fabric but I am desperate to make some clothes that look ok and are wearable.
Thanks

I would avoid indie patterns, a lot of them have rubbish drafting which will knock your confidence if you’re a beginner and can’t get it to work properly (through no fault of your own). Merchant and Mills might be an exception and I haven’t heard many negative things about their draft. Tilly has crap drafting.

If you’re tall then length adjustments are very easy to make to patterns. Many have special lines on them which mark out exactly where to adjust for height. If you’re interested in plus size sewing you should check out the blog “curvy sewing collective”. Lots of good info there.

People say that indie patterns are more user friendly because they often have more extensive instructions and walkthroughs, but so long as you start with easy patterns you shouldn’t have any problems working through commercial patterns. Just go slow, and look things up on YouTube if you’re stuck.

Also I don’t agree with starting with cheap fabric! Good quality fabric sews and presses much better and will be so much easier to work with as a beginner. Linen is a pleasure to sew, polyester not so much.

Tilly and the buttons are very easy to follow as long as you want to wear hideous clothes. Not nice at all.

I'd maybe start with a Sew Simple pattern like this one. Really enjoyable make.

Minerva Crafts have masses and masses of fabrics including gorgeous jerseys and linens/linen mix but I wouldn't start with anything too expensive. What about cotton lawn. It's a joy to work with.

Simple Sew not Sew Simple.

Thanks both I did dressmaking at school many years ago so I still remember how to extend patterns.
I have tried simplicity recently and new look and having to extend the length at the waist and at the bottom and also adding in extra width is a nightmare. I like working with jersey and I have made well cobbled together a couple of basic jersey dresses. I have had less success with trousers.

Made By Jack’s Mum on Etsy. Great patterns, go beyond your size and explain every step clearly with lots of photos. She also explains very well where to extend pattern pieces if you are tall.

As for Cotton Jersey, look for what you like on Etsy and that will give you store names. There are plenty of FB groups for indiciual seller and the pattern and sewing groups too.

Maybe try patterns for pirates or made for mermaids. They are pdf patterns not printed but loads of choices. Also cocowawa crafts is great. I prefer the indie patterns purely because I don’t like the tissuey paper of other patterns.

I use Megan Nielsen patterns, she would be considered an indie but the drafting seems professional to me. She’s also extended her size range recently. I believe she drafts for taller than average as well (although I’m not 100%) so you may find you have to do less alterations with her patterns.

I would recommend printing the patterns on A0 paper (you can get this done online) this reduces error in putting the pattern pieces together and you end up with a better finished garment in my experience.

I just made the Virginia leggings with the yoga band hack (instructions on her blog) and they are amazing.

You may want to look at the Curvy Sewing Collective - there's a Facebook page as well as a website. You can see all sorts of patterns made up in all sorts of sizes, plus online there's lots of chat about different brands, and any adjustments folk have had to make.

Thanks all i don’t think I could cope with non printed patterns

Do you mean print at home patterns? I prefer them as, usually, you can print as many copies as you like.

I havent tried the patterns that aren’t already printed out in an envelope. A friend tried a PDF pattern and it took her an eternity to piece it all together.

The blog Broad in the seams has a list of over 100 free plus sized sewing patterns here

With pdf patterns, you can usually get a copyshop version, which will be printed o to A1, and vastly reduce the amount of glueing.

Simplicity have a plus size section in their catalogues, I think they are becoming more available generally across the big pattern companies. Like you I don't bother with downloadable patterns as it's too much fuss for me.