Modest Clothing Patterns: Who Sells Them and Why
by Basya Speshel

Description: Online resources for buying modest clothing patterns for all ages.

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For those seeking modest clothing patterns, the season doesn't matter. While styles may change, those seeking modesty in dress want modest clothing all year round. Sewing their own clothes offers them that steady source of modest clothing. However, like most of the fashion industry, the pattern industry changes its offerings seasonally. One season may have a good offering of patterns considered modest by most standards, but another season may have almost none. A small cottage industry has sprung up on the internet offering modest clothing sewing patterns. The sites are often family run, the patterns ranging from "simple" style of Amish or Mennonite to more contemporary modest styles. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions by some online modest pattern merchants.

What made you decide to sell modest clothing patterns online?

Candle on the Hill - I remember combing through the pattern books page by page at the local fabric stores, looking for something, anything, that might be modest enough for me. I often would buy something just because it was modest, even if it wasn't comfortable or I didn't really like it. Even then, I so often had to raise necklines or lower hems, that I actually kept templates I made in order to do it quickly with a store bought pattern.

Then a few years back I learned to draft sewing patterns using a blank sheet of newsprint, some rulers, pencils, and a lot of time and patience. Finally I could create something that truly was modest, feminine, and comfortable to wear. I could make things that were suitable for maternity, nursing, and everyday all at once. However, I was having to remake a pattern over and over on the back of wrapping paper, newspaper, (or even once on the back of unused wallpaper!) for a friend or family member.

Then friends of friends were asking for one of the patterns I made, ladies at church would bring requests from an aunt or cousin in another state even. My mailbox was filling with letters from ladies all over the US, Canada, and overseas! Each letter had a unique story of how they saw a garment from one of my patterns and wanted one, too.

It became apparent that I was in over my head! An hour of tracing a pattern by hand at the kitchen table while my children napped became a task that was filling my day from dawn to dusk. My husband suggested that I draw out all the patterns and all the sizes for each in standard size measurements (instead of custom sizes like I had been doing), and then find a printer to print the copies for me. We also had made new designs beyond the original first Amish and Mennonite styles to accommodate ladies requesting patterns from many other backgrounds.

After some organizing, we got things together and opened. Candle on the Hill was born. We went online sometime later, due to prompting from our customers.

Common Sense Patterns - The decision to sell modest clothing patterns began with time-consuming and frustrating searches for girls clothing - especially preteen and older sizes. I had purchased a few of the dresses and jumpers from Common Sense Designs and felt I had hit upon a gold mine. With their beautiful cotton fabrics, their clothing was pretty, modest, and easy to wear. Unfortunately they were bought out and then forced to close. I was pleased with their clothing, so I was sure other women would be, too.

A miracle of God transpired over the next 6 months. The purchase was made of a commercial printing machine (plotter), plus a digitizer board (to be used later) and a computer program.

We started from scratch, with no background. I considered myself only a 'beginner' seamstress. I became overwhelmed, and my husband put out an 'SOS'. Some wonderful women responded and wrote a few basic instructions for our patterns in exchange for a pattern. Those are the humble beginnings. There are still many patterns waiting to get web ready.

What criteria do you use to design or sell patterns?

Candle on the Hill - I respond to feedback from my customers. Is there a style or design they've seen but want a modest alternative? Also, what is important to their modesty? We have customers of varying faiths and backgrounds and each has a unique story of how and why they cover their body modestly. Each also may have different views on what is modest and what is not.

I try to be sensitive to this. Fused into each pattern are options for the customer to personalize their garment. A dress may have waist tie options, or a traditional Mennonite "cape" option. A vest pattern may have options for with or without buttons. A pattern may offer options for darts for a more fitted look or without darts, elastic or without for a more loose fit, and suggestions on ideas to make a garment more simple and plain, or as a base to add their own trims, additions, and creativity for something unique.

Above all, I strive for versatility and comfort. I want our patterns to be something that makes clothing that fits your life comfortably, whether you're a teacher in an urban community or a farmer's wife on a ranch, I want the designs to work for you. I also keep in mind the changing seasons of a woman's life...can this design be used for a nursing mother? Will it fit for maternity use? Is this comfortable for an elderly person with limited mobility and dressing capability, or a busy mother with small children? I try to include either in the pattern or in the instructions, ideas and tips for making the garment more versatile for the wearer.

When considering patterns by other designs for sale through our shop, we like to also keep these things in mind. We look for things our customers have requested, or patterns they've enjoyed and suggested to us. We avoid plunging necklines, tight fitting bodices, and short skirts or mile-long slits. We want our customers to feel that they can relax in browsing our selection, knowing that the modesty is already ensured and they can just browse for what best appeals to them for style, comfort, and fit.

Common Sense Patterns - The criteria we use in our decision to use these particular patterns are:

they need to be modest and feminine
they need to be quick and easy (fairly easy) to put together
they need to be classic styles that never go out of style and can be used over and over.

Those looking for year round supply of modest patterns are finding more and more variety online. These cottage industry businesses emphasize customer service as well as quality products.

Basya Speshel writes for http://www.sewmodestclothing.com about topics in modesty. Visit for a free snood pattern or a free downloadable beret pattern.

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