patterns on the cheap

[greenwitch]

What are everyone's best recommendations for finding cheap patterns? I know that some big box stores (Joann's, Hancock Fabrics) run $.99 sales every once in a while, but unfortunately I don't live near enough to just run in and check weekly whether or not a particular brand is on sale. Do you sign up for marketing e-mails on official sites? (I just signed up for Vogue and McCalls, and they've posted a few ~$5 sales.) Ebay? Do local independent stores near you sell them for any cheaper than list price? I'm still new at sewing, and tend to mess up a lot, so paying $10+/pattern at my local shop is a little tough, even though it would be great to support the local independent business.

I'm not really looking for a specific place to get them (although if you do know of a place, that's great), more of what everyone's strategies are. Thanks for any help!

Comments

[auntruth]

Oh, the Joann flyer came in today's mail: July 18-24, Up to 10 Butterick are 99 cents (but excludes See and Sew). July 29-31, Simplicity up to 10, 1.99 (excludes So Easy, New Look, and Burda) And there is a large set of coupons for 18-24th at

I hadn't noticed before that the extra-easy lines get excluded! Seems unfair...

[greenwitch]

Thanks for the heads up (delayed comment, sorry!) I took advantage of the Simplicity sale last weekend.