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Welcome to my Blog

I am a grandmother to 4 little girls. I blog about the things I make for them, review patterns, provide tutorials on how I've dealt with techniques or problems, which I hope may help others, and give links to the (mostly) free patterns I use. Every so often, I do a 'Best of..' post listing the best free patterns I've found under specific headings - babies, girls, boys etc. Enjoy the Blog!

Sunday 17 February 2019

Free PDF patterns that now don't work - Page 3 - N - Z

This is Page 3 of my post looking at links to free baby and children PDF sewing patterns that no longer work - but are probably still on Pinterest or elsewhere.That's a bit shorthand - some do work but appear not to! The purpose of this post is to go through some of the defunct links, and others that have wobbled in the past, to see what I can offer to you. Like me, you may like what you've seen on Pinterest or elsewhere. In some cases, I can help. I may have found an alternative link, I may have something similar I can recommend instead, or I may have one of my own patterns that would work. Maybe I have something already saved. Others are sadly gone for ever. If you find other links (on my web site or on Pinterest) for baby patterns that don't work, do let me know!


Two dresses I made in 2017 from patterns that now have links that are broken.

Or, if you are responsible for one of the web sites for which I have broken links, and you know differently, please also let me know that, and I'll be happy to set the record straight.

If you haven't seen Page 1 (A - G) of this post yet, click here. Or for Page 2 (H- M) click here. Otherwise, read on for patterns from web sites from N to Z.


Continuing alphabetically:


On the Cutting Floor

The web site, for onthecuttingfloor.com still exists, but links to the free children's patterns don't go anywhere. A great pity!

1) Peplum top 

Although I haven't yet made the complete peplum top, I used the top of the bodice part of the pattern to make this little dress for my grand-daughter. But it is no longer on the Cutting Floor web site.


(You can also see this dress at the top of this page, together with a dress made from the Izzy top from Climbing the Willow. The latter is also sadly a defunct web site, which I discussed on Page 1 of this post. So many of my favourites have disappeared!) )

There is a weebly web site link which does have the tutorial for the Peplum Top, but no pattern. I have both the pattern and the tutorial as PDFs. You could however use the bodice pattern from any sleeveless dress really, and just add a peplum, either gathered or cut as a semi-circular frill.

2) Long sleeve bib

This project, in three sizes from 12 months to 4T, is no longer available on the Cutting Floor web site. However, as of the time of writing, both the PDF pattern and tutorial ARE still available on the Weebly site. I have my own PDF copies.

3)  Bermuda shorts 

Lovely design, but like the Peplum Top, this is no longer on the Cutting Floor web site. And like the Peplum top, the Weebly site  has the tutorial but no pattern. I have both as PDFs. I list some alternative shorts patterns under Peekaboo further down this page.

4) Cargo Pants

Nice set of pants in sizes 1-8. I found a Weebly link but the links to pattern and tutorial don't go anywhere. I have the pattern but not a full tutorial - but it's not difficult to work out what to do. For alternatives, there's a size 3 pattern from Dana Made it. There's also another free Cargo Pants pattern in 2 baby sizes that I found, from Me Sew Crazy, with an excellent tutorial, but I hesitate to recommend the pattern as the front and back of the pants are the same. But try it if you like! For other ideas for pants, see my post on boy clothes

5) 30 minute T shirt 

Also in sizes 1-8, but again, the links no longer work. I do have the PDF stored, but no tutorial. I haven't found any working links. The Weebly one describes it and has pictures, but no tutorial or pattern. However, for a simple ringer T shirt, here's a good alternative in multiple sizes from newborn to 6T. It's a Ringer T shirt from Brindille and Twig, who do also have paid for patterns, but this one (shown below) is free and comes in several sizes. For more alternatives see below under Peekaboo.

Peekaboo

Day Camp Set - shorts and T shirt.

The Peekaboo pattern shop does still exist but my link no longer takes me to a free pattern. If you want the paid for version, this is the new link I have found for the Day Camp Set. It comes in ages 2-5. I find it odd that on the Peekaboo web site, even the patterns under the heading 'Freebies' are now not free! I think this is a shame, because often free patterns help people find their way to a designer's web site, where they may go on to buy paid-for patterns as well. I have got both the pattern and tutorial as PDFs.

However, this set is just a basic T shirt and shorts set, so there are lots of free alternatives.

T shirts:
a) As above, from Brindille and Twig.
b) Melly Sews does a T shirt pattern she says fits ages 2-4 (all one size.) 
size 2-4 (only one) 
c) Here is another one from Dana of Dana Made It. This is age 4-5. 
cd A long sleeved T shirt pattern from Small Dream Factory, in newborn to 3-4T, with excellent tutorial. Easy enough to shorten the sleeves if that's what you want.

Shorts:
e)  Sunny Day Shorts from Oliver + S (who also have paid for patterns) this free one comes in sizes 6 months to 4, and 5-12.


f) Sew Like My Mom's Ginger Shorties come in sizes 12 months to 16 years. She also has a pattern for some longer knit shorts.

g) Craft Passion's shorts - this link goes to one of the patterns which she says are in small Asian sizes but you can link to the other free sizes from here. Craft Passion has an age 3 pattern, an age 7 and an age 12 pattern.

Seen here worn by my grand-daughter but just as suitable for boys.  Jane was a tall 3 1/2, so I wanted to make her shorts in size 5, so I just drew another pattern in between the lines of the 3 pattern and the 7 pattern!


Punktiert

I had a link, undoubtedly one from Pinterest or from a Google search, for this German web site (but with an English version). The web site owner listed many free patterns of her own, as 'E-books', and I particularly liked the baby patterns in different sizes, and also she has doll patterns that can be enlarged so they might suit the premature baby in our family. However, recently, this link now led me to a page that said I don't have permission from the owner to access it, and that I should contact the owner (HOW??) to request permission.

After some advice from a help forum, and a search using as key words all the information I did have, up popped a new link.And fortunately for me, it eventually led me to 
4 pages of free patterns for babies and toddlers,and the doll patterns, as well as other tutorials and paid for patterns. So I'm now sharing the new link to Klimperklein with you, and many thanks to Pauline, its owner. 

Riley Blake / Anshu / Blooms and Bugs

Alphabetically speaking, I suppose this should be listed under Blooms n Bugs. However, the link to the pattern I particularly liked which had failed, was for a pattern on the Riley Blake fabric web site, with Anshu of Blooms n Bugs a guest author. This was for a 'Mock Kimono Top'. (I think in 0-3 months size.) So you can see how attractive this was, I found a link via Bloglovin' which has pictures and a description, but no pattern or tutorial.

Back

Front

Anshu describes this mock kimono top as having a yoke at the back and Velcro closures. I assumed it was 'mock' because the overlaps were sewn into the side seams, but with the Velcro closures mentioned, it may be a true wrap / kimono style top. Now of course, I can't check! I found some contact details for her, so I've emailed to ask how to get the tutorial and how to share the PDF I have, but as yet there hasn't been a reply. I'll let you know if there is.

Because of my uncertainty as to whether it is a wrap top or a mock wrap T shirt, I'll offer two alternatives, both from Suzy at Baby Patterns at Space. Note she does not include seam allowance. You may find it helps to read her introduction page. Both of these are made for knits, but you could use woven fabrics if making for a smaller baby.
a) No button shirt - this is a 3-6 month version of a T shirt with a mock kimono front. It doesn't have the yoke at the back of Anshu's version, but you could easily split the back pattern piece (adding in some seam allowance). This also has long sleeves which could be shortened.
b) Kimono wrap dress - also for 3-6 months, and could easily be made with Velcro closures and a back yoke.

I'm sorry that this Blooms n Bugs pattern seems no longer to be available. One of my other favourites from Blooms n Bugs for a Tulip Dress is still listed on her free tutorials page, but no sign of the Mock Kimono Top.

Schnabelinas

Like Punktiert, this is a German web site with free ebooks (and an English version). And also had a link that didn't work. However, this new one does work for now at least. I'm hopeful it will continue. The author says it is her new web site, and not all the content has been transferred as yet. But what I've seen looks very promising.

Searching Out Simple 

This web site had a nice tutorial for a cross over back pinafore. This link I've found for Searching Out Simple now only works for me only on Internet Explorer, not on Google Chrome, so you may prefer not to try it. This picture comes from her web site, as I assume this may be her child, I've used only a back view. Certainly the tutorial is very good. But she uses the Make Your Own Baby Stuff pattern, which as already discussed on Page 2 of this post, is also defunct.


There are two good alternatives I know of, for different sizes.

a) From Melly Sews, in age 0-3 months

b) From Smashed Peas and Carrots, in age 6-12 months (though I've also increased it in size, especially length, for an 18-24 month size). Here are some I've made from this pattern, the first two in the 6-12 month size, and the third in my enlarged version.






Sew Mama Sew / Bettsy Kingston

The link for this kimono dress, jacket or nightdress for 3-9 months that I had picked up, I expect, from Pinterest, had stopped working, to my despair; it's so pretty. I have a downloaded copy of the pattern and tutorial PDF, and thought I'd just have to stop recommending it. However, I have now found a new link, which, as at February 2019, is still working.  



The Bettsy Kingston kimono - this new link works. Note the full tutorial is 18 pages long.

Should it stop working again, or in case you want to look at alternatives, I can suggest:

a) Sew In Love's baby Kimono, in two sizes 3-6 months and 6-9 months.

b) Craftiness is Not Optional / Birch Fabrics Reversible Wrap Top with flutter sleeves. A different style, but very pretty, in 3 sizes from 12-24 months to size 4-5 T. I used it, modified to have long sleeves, for this pyjama top for my grand-daughter. 


c) Baby Patterns at Space wrap dress made for knits, and with no seam allowance included, but could work. 

Sewing Craft Gossip / Nefetari  also had a Wrap Around Onesie in size 3-6 months. It still exists but now is no longer free. It comes now in 3 sizes and is $25. I have got a downloaded PDF in size 62 cm (the 3-6 month size) but no tutorial. It seems to be becoming a bit of a theme that my favourite kimono style patterns are now not available, or not as easily. Think I'll have to design my own.

In the meantime, House of Estrela still have this nice version in newborn size.

Sewing in no man's land

I had a link (still do) to Kelly's  nice reversible tunic. This is still on her blog but the "How To" pictures have all disappeared. I've been unable to make contact with her.  It is basically a T shaped top, with a slit at the neckline at the back (or the front, if you choose to make it that way round. And you can make it tunic length or dress length.


Since the How To pictures no longer exist, it's not possible (for me, anyway!) to use it practically. Here are two alternatives I think would work, and could be made reversible if you wanted.

a) It's Always Autumn's Play All Day Dress, in 6 sizes.
b) Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mum's tunic (a DIY pattern)

Neither of these has a back neck opening as they are both more of a boat neckline, but you could easily add a little slit if you liked the look of this.

Very Shannon

Very Shannon's web site is very much still alive! Check out her other tutorials and patterns (including some free ones). And the post about my favourite nursing cover can still be found on her web site, which was produced by a guest blogger, Jenny. But the actual tutorial was a further link (I assume on Jenny's part) to something called the Southern Institute for Domestic Arts and Crafts. And that is the broken link. I'm very sad about this, because, as you can see here, I made several of these for my daughters when they were nursing.



The thing that was at the time unique about this tutorial, was that it allowed for a nice corner pocket of towelling, hidden under it. It also had shorter boning (I think I made mine even shorter in fact) than other patterns. And a very clear tutorial. I've asked Shannon if she knows of an alternative way to get the tutorial. I have saved a copy as a Word document, but I would like to be able to offer a current link.

There are some alternatives, none quite the same.

All of these recommend 16" of boning, which my daughters decided was far too long and therefore potentially revealing. I would try with a piece of boning in front of Mama first!

If none of those work for you, you could try this further list of alternatives from.....
d) Sew Woodsy


Vicki's Fabric Creations

Vicki's web site is still working, to which I have linked especially for the New Baby Bib and the Baby and Toddler Bib.  But many people have told me they can't see the pictures any more. (And nor can I.)

This is one we called the Happy Hare bib (because it was first modelled on my daughter's Happy Hare soft toy). It was lined with towelling.





And another one which I made in a larger size, in a wipeable fabric, this time unbacked.




Here are the links to the two posts on Vicki's web site. 

Like me, you may have found you were faced with what looks like a blank page with just some labels. However, if you scrolled down, you would get to links to both the pattern and the tutorial.

I asked Vicki whether there were alternative links she can provide which would enable the pictures to be seen. And within a very short time, she'd fixed the problem! So you'll be glad to know those links work again.

I wish everyone could fix their links as quickly if I ask them!!!


Well, for now, that's all my broken or wobbly links dealt with. I have hundreds that are still working! If you find others that aren't, though, please let me know and I'll be happy to continue my research. Unfortunately, web sites come and go, and you can never keep on top of them all. What I need to do now is go back over the hundreds of posts I've created in the past five years, and at least try and find any dodgy links I've given in the past!

Go back to Page 1 - A- G
Go back to Page 2 - H- M

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