top tip: budget friendly pattern weights

Pattern weights are awesome. Fact. They’re quicker than pinning and they don’t tear your tissue patterns or leave pin holes in delicate fabrics. (They’re especially useful for tracing patterns). My jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw what Dritz were charging for 4 pattern weights on Amazon recently. £30 !!! Seriously Dritz! WTF!?

These are my pattern weights…

I’ve used them for several years and they cost me a big fat £0. They are lead curtain weights, also known as penny weights (they’re actually the size of a 2p piece so I presume the reference relates to the OLD penny). They cost me nothing because I harvested them from the hems of some old curtains that I was using for another project. That said, they’re pretty inexpensive to buy. (Seriously Dritz?! £30 for pattern weights??)

I wanted some larger pattern weights so I’ve also ordered some giant washers from Amazon. (Couldn’t get ‘em locally sadly). Also super cheap. I guess the moral is, most particularly if you’re new to sewing, don’t be fooled by all the tools and gadgets that manufacturers dangle in front of you to tempt you to part with your cash. They’re almost always a cheaper alternative! MUCH cheaper (Dritz, I’m looking at you. Yes you! ).

More or less anything with a smooth flat base will do as a pattern weight. (I’m secretly considering these gorgeous slate pieces) Experienced sewers…what do you use as pattern weights?