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As a novice seamstress looking through the pattern section of JoAnn Fabrics may seem overwhelming. Even to me, with 30 years of memories headed into the fabric store, the patterns can feel intimidating. There are so many to choose from and the difficulty level on them goes from easy to super hard. Not only that, but there are also so many things to look for when buying a pattern, from the type of fabric required for that pattern to the sizing guide.

One pattern company that I have been using for sewing lessons is New Look. I was attracted to this company for several reasons.

1.The price point is reasonable.

The average price point for their patterns are about 3.99. It does look like most places you order from you will need to pay for shipping though. But the suggested retail of many other pattern companies like McCall’s, Simplicity, Burda, etc are between $10-$20 per pattern. You can find New Look patterns on the simplicity pattern website , however it can be challenging to search, there is a fee for shipping and

2.The tween sizing.

Many of my sewing students are in that age between girls and women. It can be challenging to find patterns that don’t look too childish. On the flip side the women’s patterns are often too developed in the breast for a tween (Typically Age 9-12) New Look tween patterns also are designed with a style that appeal to that age group. The tween sizing of the New Look Patterns have tween appropriate bust curves, which is very helpful.

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These are a few of the New Look Tween patterns available on Amazon. Click the images to be redirected to the links.

3.Easy to Sew.

These patterns truly are easy to sew. The directions are relatively easy to follow.

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Cons of New Look Patterns

I have used a number of New Look patterns at this point. One of my biggest complaints is that the patterns are not designed with a lot of seam allowance or facing. For example, for the jumpsuit pattern, when making the elastic casing, there is barely enough room in the seam. Rather than making facing pieces, New Look patterns often just fold over.

As I have been working with New Look patterns I am learning to factor this into my project and often decide to make my own facing if I feel like there is not enough seam allowance for the project.

Looking for a Good Beginner Machine that won’t break the bank?

This Brother Machine is a great start for kids and adults alike. It has a variety of stitches and speeds. It also has the modern convenience of a push to start button rather than relying on a foot pedal, which helps those who have trouble with coordination.