Hi friends! Ever since I started sewing I have dreamed of making the ultimate capsule wardrobe. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy with school, work, and family, and the stars never aligned for me to concentrate on such a huge task. I’ve watched my fellow sewists and friends make beautiful capsule wardrobes year after year, and hoped one day I would be able to have the time to create one myself. I think this world wide pandemic has provide the opportunity for me to create a mini capsule wardrobe.

I thought about this for a few month now and I’ve come to the conclusion that using simple and easy patterns would be best. In previous years I’ve been too focused on making complicated and advanced garments and this gave me anxiety and often led to stress. I’ve come to the understanding that this is a major reason why I always fail at making a capsule wardrobe. In addition, watching YouTube videos of how certain sewists put together their capsule wardrobe was overwhelming. Mostly, these videos focus on creating a wardrobe that include intermediate to advanced sewing patterns and many many “wardrobe staple” garments. Ultimately, I want to create a simple wardrobe without putting any unnecessary pressure and/or unrealistic expectations of myself.

So I decided to go back to the basics and create a simple handmade wardrobe with easy and simple patterns. My list of easy and simple patterns include free and budget friendly PDF options. Although I would love to include a pair of ginger jeans and a denim jacket to my wardrobe, I realize that I need to first focus on a few simple sewing makes. For those of you who are having difficulty creating a capsule wardrobe I encourage you to (1) make your capsule wardrobe goals realistic by starting with easy and simple patterns (2) consider using free PDF patterns to cut down on cost. I created a detailed list of online websites where you can find free and inexpensive PDF patterns. Most of these patterns are rated for beginners; however, I have included a few intermediate sewing patterns.

My goal is to choose at least four tops, four bottoms, two dresses, a jacket and cardigan. The list of free and inexpensive PDF patterns is just a collection of patterns that’s available online. There are plenty more options available;these are just a few that I would like to make. I tried to include patterns that have a wide range of sizes. Unfortunately, there are very few options for petite and plus size women. If you know of a pattern that is made for petite and plus size women please mention that pattern in the comment section. I would love to add as many patterns to this list for women of all sizes. Thank you for stopping by.

Aware Collection (Etsy Shop)

Sofie Dress (approx. cost $0.50)

Colette Patterns

Sorbetto (Free)

Crafty Sew & So

My Handmade Wardrobe Simple Tee (Free)

Deer & Doe Patterns

Plantain T-Shirt (Free)

Dibby Club

Anything But Basic Women’s Tee (Free)

Anything But Basic Leggings (Free)

The Duchess High-Low Skirt (Free)

Elbe Textiles

Lawley Skirt (Free)

Sage Tee (Free)

EK Sewing Patterns (Etsy Shop)

Tunic & Sundress (approx cost $1.00)

Maxi Dress (approx cost $1.00)

Dress with Flounce & Belt (approx cost $1.00)

Box Pleat Skirt (approx cost $2.50)

Fabric.com OR hotpatterns.com

The Aspen Cardigan (Free)

All Warped Up Tank (Free)

Gypsophelia Peasant Top (Free)

Fabrics-Store.Com

Aja Maxi Dress Pattern (Free)

Luciana Wrap Dress (Free)

Paola Workwear Jacket Pattern (Free)

Louise Linen Pants (Free)

French Navy

The Orla Dress (Free)

The Stellan Tee (Free)

Glasshouse Patterns

Silene Tee free with Newsletter Subscription

GrainLine Studio

Hemlock Tee (Free)

Itch-to-Stitch Patterns

Lindy Petal Skirt (Free)

Uvita Top (Free)

Lago Tank (Free)

Jalie Patterns

Yoko Square Roll Neck Top (Free)

Jane Patterns (Etsy Shop)

Woman’s Tunic (approx cost $3.50)

Woman’s T-Shirt Pattern (approx cost $2.30)

Kama Sewtra

Samantha Dress (Free)

Jane Top and Pencil Skirt (Free)

Lucy Dress (Free)

Betty Dress (Free)

Lila & June

Wrap Skirt (Free)

Love Sewing Magazine

Megan Nielsen Kelly Skirt (Free)

Tilly & The Buttons Frankie Tee (Free)

Wrap it Up Ballet Cardigan (Free)

Leaf it Out Wrap Skirt (Free)

Peachy Top (Free)

The Sunny Side Blouse (Free)

Denim Days Skirt (Free)

Feeling Swish Circle Skirt (Free)

Roarsome Leopard Print Top (Free)

Precious Petals Tulip Top (Free)

Make Me Today Jersey Skirt (Free)

Tienda De Patrones (Etsy Shop)

Short Pants for Women (approx cost $2.37)

The Avid Seamstress

The Drop Sleeve Top (Free)

This And ThatNZ (Etsy Shop)

Janey Dress (approx cost $3.41)

Tunic Shirt (approx cost $2.05)

Tank Crop Bra (approx cost $3.69)

High Waisted Panties (cost $3.03)

TMPatterns

Women’s Wrap Dress (approx cost $2.70)

Women’s Swimsuit (approx cost $2.70)

Made to Sew

Copen Top & Dress (Free)

Mood Fabrics

Fox Glove Bodysuit (Free)

The Wilder Top (Free)

The Olive Jacket (Free)

Peony Blouse (Free)

Cypress Dress (Free)

The Nolana Jeans (Free)

The Nysa Dress (Free)

Mallow Maxi Dress (Free)

The Cress Skirt (Free)

The Kleinia Blouse (Free)

Peppermint Magazine

Wrap Skirt (Free)

Button Up Dress (Free)

Wide Leg Pants (Free)

Ruffle Top (Free)

Boxy Harvest Top (Free)

Jersey Top (Free)

Wide Strap Maxi Dress (Free)

Ploen Patterns

The Freja Dress (Free)

Ready to Sew

Justine Skirt (Fred)

Rebecca Page

Strappy Cami (Free)

Toronto Tee (Free)

Seamwork Magazine

York Top (Free)

Sewalicious

Carnation Cardigan or Jacket (Free)

Sew Daily

Talitha Caftan (free)

Sew Different.Com

Open Back Vintage Top (Free)

Ruffle Top (Free)

Sew Magazine

Laurel Trousers (Free)

Classic Wrap Dress (Free)

Belted Shirt Dress (Free)

Sinclair Patterns

Harper Cardigan and Duster (Free)

Valley Knit Skater Dress (Free)

So Sew Easy

Color Block (Pencil) Skirt (Free)

Style Arc Patterns

New Pattern Each Month with Free Subscription

Swoon Patterns

Scarf Neck Cardigan (Free)

Wardrobe By Me

Hera Wrap Top (Free)

Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments! Thank you!

-Tea