Wow! Two posts in two days has not happened for quite some time on my blog. Since I still haven't decided on a new definitive laundry plan, per yesterday's post, I thought that today we'd talk about patterns. Specifically, I want to talk about Kwik Sew patterns. In general, as you can see from reading this blog, I'm a big four girl. While men might have their sports leagues with "the big ten" or "the big twelve", sewing women get " the big four". The big two is actually a more accurate representation of the pattern companies though, as Butterick, McCalls, and Vogue are all owned by the same parent company.
It seems as of late, another business merger in the pattern world has happened. Kwik Sew now seems to be owned by the corporation that owns Butterick, McCalls, and Vogue. Apparently, the switch of Kwik Sew from white card stock paper to regular tissue paper coincided with this merger. There also happens to be a rather lengthy thread about the subject on Pattern Review, which can be found here.
Personally, I have never purchases a Kwik Sew for three and a half reasons. First is simply a matter of geographic location. There simply aren't any stores in a reasonable vicinity that sell the patterns. The second reason is the price. Kwik Sews are a bit pricey when you are used to buying at one and two dollar pattern sales. Thirdly, I don't trace patterns and the thick card stock would have been a pain in the you know what if I tired to pin it to fabric. The last reason, which is a half reason if you will, is that while there were a handful of cute designs, I found most to be uninspiring and dated. Despite those reasons, the transition to the BMV family has made we wonder if I should reconsider Kwik Sew?
While there are a number of dated patterns that seem to remain in the line, Kwik Sew also seems to have some fresher styles coming out as well. Secondly, if one is a member of BMV, they are now having Kwik Sew sales where the price is around $6. Now, $6 for a pattern isn't cheap in my opinion, but it's not outrageous either. The downfall is that one must be a member of BMV, which I believe runs about $15 or $20 a year.
Looking at the website, it seems that Kwik Sew trumps the other companies when it comes to their selection of swimwear and lingerie patterns. There are also an adorable shorts patterns, and some cute dresses as well. So, readers, do yous sew with Kwik Sew? If you do sew with them, what makes you like them? Are you a member of Club BMV? I'd love to hear from you!
Its funny that until you posted this, I had never really paid attention to the Kwik Sew patterns. But after reading I had to check them out, and I ended up ordering one (yup, at full price). I paid $11 for this: http://kwiksew.mccall.com/k3932-products-22847.php?page_id=3034
ReplyDeletewhich I think will be a quite excellent dress. I love the options for color blocking. Unfortunately there aren't any reviews of the pattern on PR.
Otherwise, I am not a member of Club BMV. I rarely buy sewing supplies online (although I now have bought both fabric and a pattern..) so it doesn't help much. I just wait for sales at Joanns.
I have only made one Quik Sew Pattern, but it was very well written. Also, I think Quik Sew has 1/4 inch seams instead of 5/8" like the big 4. I am about to pay $11.00 for this one pretty soon: http://kwiksew.mccall.com/k3932-products-22847.php?page_id=3034
ReplyDeleteI have a few Kwik Sew patterns, but all bought at the thrift store. The ones I have made (mostly kids' athletic wear) had nice instructions and were simple, well-drafted basics. (And yes, with the 1/4" seam allowances for knits) I *am* a tracer, so I appreciate the thick paper.
ReplyDeleteMy general opinion is if you are sewing anything related to dance, skating, gymnastics, swimming, athletic workout clothes, or lingerie, then KwikSew is the pattern company to go with (or I suppose Jalie or SuitAbility for horse show people). I have a lot of KwikSew patterns because of all the athletic leotard styles since I sew a lot of skating costumes. I like the heavy paper (I trace everything now, so I really appreciate this - especially since the sizes are printed in different colors it is easy to trace), the instructions are simple and quite good, and I think they are fairly accurate on the sizing. They do have 1/4" seam allowance for knits (although I usually do end up taking the seams in a bit on myself, but when I sew for others the 1/4" seams are accurate), I can't comment on their patterns for wovens. I noticed that the most recent releases didn't contain ANY athletic patterns though - I hope the BMV acquisition won't lead to a lack of these patterns in the future, but if so I suppose there is always Jalie...
ReplyDeleteAs far as Club BMV - I am not a member. With many fabric/craft store locations around me having $0.99 sales I can often get the patterns I want without paying for shipping, so I don't see a need to join. With them now selling KwikSew and Marfy that *could* change in the future, but I already have so many patterns I don't know if I could convince myself it would be necessary or worth the cost.
Anyway, overall I would say if you are looking for special athletic patterns, KwikSew is the company to start with, but if you are looking for patterns for dresses, jackets, etc. then I would stick with Big4 or Burda.
Every so often bmv offers their subscription for $10. I havent sewn any dresses from Kwik Sew but I have made several of their swim suit patterns and the directions were fantastic.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago I bought my first kwik sew pattern. A baby s romper suit. I was horrified when the lady in the shop told me it was going to cost me nearly £10. I paid the money and went home thinking this is going to be a really great pattern for that price. I was impressed with the quality of off the paper. When I took it out of the pack, but then I realized I had to trace off the pattern,I am not a tracer but I loved the look of this romper suit so much I just had to make it. Fortunately I had some tissue paper knocking around or I would have been ranting and fuming. I carefully traced of each piece and cut out the garment and started to assemble it the first thing I noticed was after matching up the notches on the yoke and straps and sewing the 5/8 seam allowance I still had 1/2" of excess fabric between the edge of the yoke and the strap, when the edge of the strap should have been flush with the edge of the yoke. I unpicked it and carefully checked my fabric piece with the pattern pieces only to find all the fabric pieces were all exactly as it should be according to the pattern. My second problem with this pattern was there seemed to be chunks of instructions missing through out the pattern usually at crucial points. (ie the back opening and the crotch flap) Which would leave a novice sewer not knowing what to do next.
ReplyDeleteI have been sewing for 45 years and this pattern almost reduced me to tears. Fortunately all my years of sewing told me to throw away the instructions and construct this garment in the standard easy way. This tiny little romper suit should have taken no more than two hours to construct has taken me a week on and off with all the unpicking re reading the pattern over and over and re sewing and it still didn't make sense. I even called in another very experienced dress maker to read the pattern and she agreed there seemed to be crucial instructions missing. This pattern left me wanting stick my dress making scissors in the head of the designer. I will NEVER EVER buy another Kwik sew pattern.
I am just returning to sewing after a very long absence. I joined Club BMV, to get discounts on patterns and the Vogue pattern magazine. I only buy patterns on sale, the price is right and it's much more convenient to review the patterns at home instead of in the store. I have not tried any Kwik Sew patterns, and probably never will, can't be bothered to trace out the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI have sewn with Kwik Sew patterns since the company began. You are getting better fit and better construction instruction than in the patterns from the other companies. I NEVER trace the patterns...I just cut them out in the size I am using and save the sraps I cut off in case I want to use the pattern in another size in the future. Sometimes I can also just fold them under on the size I use. It is so much easier to use the heavy pattern paper they are printed on as I never pin - just find something to weight it down when cutting. I am not pleased that they have switched to tissue paper. I had a shop and I am now selling many of the ones I had on eBay at very low prices. I'm even offering free shipping right now. I think once yoiu try them you'll be a believer. I will be offering some on eBay for a while, although I am very busy and don't know how long I'll have time to do the listings.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used any Kwik Sew patterns myself as personally they seem quite old fashion. I had a quiet chuckle when you mentioned how expensive they were. Here in Australia we can pay around $25 for a butterick or mccalls pattern. Vogue can be $30 if not on sale. The price difference seems rediculous. No wonder most of us buy our patterns on line now :-)
ReplyDeleteI have thought the same about Kwik Sew. I think the sell on them is the pattern directions. Apparently, they have EXCELLENT directions. There are a couple of patterns I'd like to buy. I'm going to make a list for the next Hancock sale :)
ReplyDeleteAnd oh boy the poor Aussies. Yes, you should be primarily buying indies if you have to pay that much. The big 4 are great for $1-$4. I don't even want to pay the new increased sale price of $5 for Vogues!
If you use the Kwik Sew Master Patterns, they are on the thick paper and are accompanied with a book of instructions and ideas. As with all master patterns, you would want to trace them. In making leotards and other items with stretch materials, I find the Jalie patterns to be a better fit.
ReplyDelete