Creating 4-9 garments can be a big undertaking for many sewists- costs can add up if your pattern library isn’t expansive enough to complete that many separates. For a very long time in my sewing career, I only sewed dresses. The switch to sewing separates and layering pieces took a bit of an investment when I needed to purchase some new patterns. We want everyone to be able to build their perfect mini capsule, regardless of whether or not you’re able to buy new patterns. We took some time to round up some free pattern downloads and tutorials to help you get the ball rolling. The CSC doesn’t endorse these patterns or vouch for the fit or drafting, we just wanted to pass along the raw resource to our lovely readers.
TOPS
Blank Slate Patterns Blanc Tee – Bust sizes 31″ – 53″
Colette Sorbetto – Bust sizes 33″-54″
Love Notions Laundry Day Tee – Bust Sizes 33″-49.5″ (Free code when you join their facebook group)
Bootstrap Fashion Buttondown Blouse with Shirt Collar – Bust sizes 17″-67″
Itch To Stitch Largo Tank – Bust sizes 31 1/8″-46″
Grainline Studio Hemlock Tee – One size finished bust measurement 44.5″
George & Ginger The Bonus Tank – (click the free patterns link from the drop down menu) bust sizes 31.5″ – 45.5″
George & Ginger Thankful Top – (click the free patterns link from the drop down menu) bust sizes 31.5″ – 45.5″
Deer and Doe Plantain Tee– Up to bust size 45⅝”
In the Folds/Peppermint Magazine Peplum Top– up to bust size 51.5″
Bella Sunshine Designs Reagan Raglan– up to bust size 48″ (free with code from Facebook group)
Hot Patterns All Wrapped Up Tank, Fabric.com– up to size 26
Hot Patterns Flutter-by Tank Top, Fabric.com– up to size 26
Hot Patterns Fringe Festival Knit Top, Fabric.com– up to size 26
SBCC Tonic Tee – up to bust size 51 3/4″ (free if you sign up for mailing list)
Winterwear Designs Trendy Tank– up to bust size 50″ (free with code from Facebook group)
Rad Patterns Layering Tank– up to bust size 65″
KZJO Studio Poppy Shirt– up to bust size 50″
Cake Patterns Tee– up to bust size 59″
Halla Patterns Stardust Tank – up to bust size 49″ (free with code from Facebook group)
Halla Patterns Slim Dolman Top– up to bust size 51″ (free with code from Facebook group)
BOTTOMS
By Hand London Circle Skirt Calculator – Draft for your size
Patterns For Pirates Peg Legs Leggings – Hip sizes 33″-58″
Patterns For Pirates Pencil Skirt – Hip sizes 33″-58″
Made For Mermaids Mama Chloe Skirt & Maxi – Hip sizes 33″-54″ (Free code when you join their facebook group)
CSC Self Drafted Maxi Skirts – Draft for your size
On The Cutting Room Floor Casual Pants – Hip sizes 35″-52″
Style Arc Barb Pant – Hip sizes 32″-61″ (Free when you sign up for their e-newsletter)
Bootstrap Fashion Straight Skirt with Slit Opening– Hip sizes 18″-68″
Bootstrap Fashion Full Circle Skirt – Hip sizes 18″-68″
Gavanna Sewing Hamra Pants – Hip sizes 31″ – 52″
In the Folds/Peppermint Magazine Pleated Skirt– Up to waist size 45.5″, hip size 54.5″
Bella Sunshine Designs Isabella Banded Skirt– up to 41.75″ waist, 50″ hip (free with code from Facebook group)
Hot Patterns Bossa Nova Gored Skirt, Fabric.com– up to size 26
Hot Patterns Tropicana Maxi Skirt, Fabric.com– up to size 26
Hot Patterns Voodoo Chile Gored Skirt, Fabric.com– up to size 26
DRESSES
Even though the bulk of a capsule wardrobe are usually made up of separates if you wear them more often include them with more layering pieces! Patty even wrote a post on a dress based capsule, check it out!
Harts Fabrics Super Easy Dress Tutorial – A Sorbetto Top Hack
DiNuvole DiCuori Artemisa Dress Pattern – Goes to women’s size 26
Fabrics Store Nico Dress– up to size 28/30 (free if you register with the site)
Halla Patterns Agnes Swing Top and Dress– up to bust size 51″ (free with code from Facebook group)
Halla Patterns Elora Convertible Dress and Skirt– up to bust size 51″ (free with code from Facebook group)
LAYERING
True Bias DIY Cocoon Cardigan – Free size
DIY Kimono Top From A Scarf or Piece of Fabric – Free Size
George & Ginger All Wrapped Up Top – (click the free patterns link from the drop down menu) bust sizes 31.5″ – 45.5″
George & Ginger The Effortless Cowl Poncho – (click the free patterns link from the drop down menu) bust sizes 31.5″ – 45.5″
Swoon Scarf Neck Cardigan – Up to size XXL
Lekala Jacket with Pockets in Princess Seams– input your own custom measurements
Hot Patterns Aspen Cardigan, Fabric.com– up to size 26
Hot Patterns Slinky Shrug, Fabric.com– up to size 26
Feel free to add your favorite free pattern in the comments as well! We love to find new curvy friendly sewing patterns! (Editor’s note: Updated to include all of your fabulous free pattern suggestions- thank you!!)
Thank you so much for sharing these!
I GOT IT!
Could not find the George and Ginger bonus tank
Hallo. I just loved this list! A lot of patterns/pattern companies I didn’t know of.
So-sew-easy also have loads of free patterns. I made the On-a-roll t-shirt (2 without the roll neck) and they’ve become wardrobe staples. http://so-sew-easy.com/free-sewing-patterns/
I love the deer and doe plantain tee. Fitted bust and looser through the waist and hips. https://shop.deer-and-doe.fr/en/sewing-patterns/20-plantain-t-shirt-pattern.html
Good call – we forgot about that one! I’ve added it to the list.
Ooh, lots of patterns I didn’t know about!
I just downloaded a skirt pattern from In the folds http://www.inthefolds.com/blog/2017/3/2/new-pattern-in-collaboration-with-peppermint-magazine-the-pleated-skirt
She has 3 other free patterns too. Hip size up to 54 1/2″.
Oh yeah! I’ve added the ones that range into curvy sizes to the list. Thanks!
Thanks for updating the list with all the suggestions! I love this as a resource. 🙂
There’s also Hot patterns on fabric.com.
Lekala have a heap of free patterns to your measurements too, loads of tops and some skirts / jackets
You gals are the best. This is one post I will refer to again and again. Thank you.
PDF is no longer in stock:
DiNuvole DiCuori Artemisa Dress Pattern – Goes to women’s size 26
Love all these… in addition, there is the following… I believe the codes are on their facebook pages or on their websites:
Halla Patterns – Agnes swing top/dress, Elora convertible dress, stardust tank, sleep shorts, slim dolman top
Bella Sunshine Designs – Isabella’s banded skirt, reagan raglan shirt
Fabrics-store – Nico dress (bias-cut tank/tunic/dress)
https://www.fabric.com/creativity-headquarters-free-pattern-downloads.aspx (Bunch of free “hot patterns”)
SBCC – tonic t
Winter Wear designs – Trendy tank
The Swoon scarf neck cardigan was exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!
Thanks for the round up, excellent resource as always.
Thanks for the great round up!
I love this one. http://www.kzjostudio.com/product/poppy-free-shirt-pdf-pattern/
Rad Patterns has a free layering Tank in their group. It’s has a good size range, up to a 65″ bust.
Love this post – thanks Paige! I’m used (and loved) the free Tee pattern from Cake patterns. Its available for free on Craftsy. https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/patterns/the-tee/110435
Great idea to find these resources. Thanks!