Befriending Sable in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Image: Austin Voigt

When you first begin visiting the tailor's shop on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you'll notice Sable - forever found sewing at the back left of the shop - will be a bit hesitant to talk to you from the outset. Often, when you attempt to speak to her, the younger Able sister - Mabel - will intervene and ask you to let her work in peace.

However, for anyone who has played previous games in the Animal Crossing series, you know Sable is the hedgehog with a heart of gold - and a friendship (or custom-sewn patterns) worth working for.

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Guide to befriending Sable and accessing special patterns

How do you become friends with Sable at the Able Sisters' shop?

Don't give up: keep trying to strike up a conversation with Sable each time you visit the shop. Every day you speak to her, she'll begin telling you more about herself and her sisters, engaging in lengthier conversations and divulging more details as time goes on.

She'll also become friendlier towards you, and want to begin showing her appreciation for your attentiveness - in the form of hand-sewn patterns for use in furniture customisation.

Accessing patterns from Sable when customising furniture
Image: Austin Voigt

How do you get new patterns from Sable?

At a certain point into your budding friendship (about one week, by our estimation), she'll start sewing various patterns for you to use when customising most furniture with fabric on it.

So far, we've received a total of 11 sets, each comprised of 20 different patterns (we believe this may be the limit, but more could appear down the line - we'll update this article if that is the case):

  • Polka-dot print
  • Striped
  • Checkered 1
  • Checkered 2
  • Traditional 1
  • Traditional 2
  • Retro
  • Natural
  • Playful
  • Cool
  • Variety

Have you befriended Sable yet? What is your favorite set of patterns to customise furniture with? Let us know in the comments!

This article is part of our Animal Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Complete Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bugs, we can tell you how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Golden Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a full list of critters leaving at the end of the month (unless you visit Kapp'n's Boat Tour islands, of course!).

We can also help with How to Spot Redd's Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Label, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Down and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Island, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.

If it's new content you're looking for help with, we can help you find gyroids, unlock Brewster's café, use the new Pro Camera App for selfies, enact new ordinances, get the beloved Froggy Chair, and even learn How to Cook.

And finally, Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game, and How To Buy The Happy Home Paradise DLC, too!