Is Buying a Damn Pattern In Fabric Store Impossible or am I on Crack?

Question

KIDS, I am old. Please helm me. 

I started sewing again after 20 years. Formerly, I would go to the Fabric store, look at the pattern books, find the pattern in the drawer and buy it  

NOW, I try to do the same - only, when I go to the drawer, the pattern I want isn't there. 

Am I supposed to order it online from the company? Im sure I'm cantankerous  bu the pattern sites are annoying as ****. 

I've been muddling along, buying stocked patterns similar to what I actually wanted - but what does a serious person do? 

Is there a modern trick to this that I haven't heard? Thank you
 I swore, but I really was just trying to make anyone reading this laugh. I'm seriously wondering! Thank you!!!

Answer 1

I order online either from the company directly (Simplicity, Butterick) or online from Joann fabrics, where you can apply a coupon in your shopping cart and wait for a sale. I don't know why the store is understocked; that hardly ever happens to me.

Answer 2

Your rude language and bad attitude point to the latter.

Answer 3

Not all patterns in all the pattern books are carried in the store. This is normal. 

They also run out of patterns. They are simply not in stock at the moment.   They have run out before the next shipment has come in.  



You can ask the manager if they can order the patterns you need. 

Answer 4

My advice would be to ask the clerk at Joanne's or whatever store you are at. I have never had the problem that you are talking about and I am wondering if they are just out of the particular patterns that you're looking for? You'll only know if you ask.



If it does need to be ordered, then the sales clerk should be able to do that for you and you can just go back to the store in a few days to pick it up.

Answer 5

Ask the sales people at the store. They should be able to order the pattern you want. If it's a chain then they can call other stores to see if they have it in stock. New patterns arrive in stores on either Tuesday or Wednesday so Wednesday afternoon is best for pattern shopping with the weekend or Monday the worst. Again, if you can't find what you want ask the sales staff for help. 



It's actually not difficult to buy patterns on line directly from the pattern company. The big guys all  use the same sales platform. You can look at all the patterns of all types (dresses, pants, coats,  whatever) and they are displayed as a checkerboard of photos. Look through the photos and when you find something you like click on the photograph. This takes you to the information page for the pattern. You can look at the line art, the envelope  back and alternate views. If you want it click select size and click the size you want. Then click quantity wanted and then add to cart. Ready to buy? Go to the shopping cart and fill in all the information they want. paying by credit card is safe and easy. The pattern will arrive by mail. 



There's also print at-home  patterns. After paying you are emailed a link to a printable PDF file. These can be printed on home printers. You have to tape the papers together -they are not a puzzle and have matching number on all the pages to make it easy. Once assembled you cut the pattern pieces and pin them to fabric as you would a tissue pattern. Yes, it's complicated and it's an extra step but many love that PDF patterns are never out of stock. Many small on line only pattern companies only sell PDF patterns and pass the savings to you. There's also free to download and print patterns out there.



If it been a while then aim your computer to patternreview.com. it's a large online community of people who sew. It's free to join and full of advice including how to print and use PDF patterns, what's new and different and a message board with hundreds of very helpful people. Everyone who sews needs to join to get the help they need when they need it.