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

[carolyn_claire]

Those sales from the big companies (the ones they notify you about through email, like you said) do get better than $5; I just wait for the really deep price reductions and buy a bunch at once. I think they charge a flat $7 per order for shipping, regardless of the number of patterns ordered (or they did last time I ordered.) I never order less than half a dozen at a time, because of that.

[greenwitch]

Good to know! I only signed up for one two weeks ago so haven't found anything super decent yet. I think I'm going to have to suck it up in the short term and pay more -- I need a few specific patterns for costume pieces by Labor Day weekend, and can't wait much longer, heh.