Here’s a terrific resource for free embroidery patterns, along with some tutorial information on cleaning up scanned patterns. I think you’ll find these patterns super-useful for all kinds of embroidery techniques – either to use as they are, or to use a source of inspiration for adapting.
The website is actually named after an old embroidery stamping catalog, the J. F. Ingalls pattern catalog from 1886.
Update: May, 2013: the original website for this article is no longer available. Instead, visit this collection of the J. F. Ingalls pattern catalog images on Flickr.
Enjoy!
Great resource and they’re copyright free! Thanks, Mary.
Mary, Have been to that site many times and love it. Thanks for pointing out the tutorial.
Mary, I have tried in vain to find John Governale and his wonderful scanned patterns; but simply can’t find him or them. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Cynthia
Hi, Cynthia – It’s always disappointing when a website like that disappears! In the meantime, though, I’ve updated the link in the article above, to direct readers to a Flickr page that has a whole slew of the J.F. Ingalls patterns available on it. I hope that helps! ~MC