Things You'll Need:
- Time and effort
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Step 1
Old Instructions1. Decide if you're a reseller, seamstress or collector. Resellers purchase patterns to, as the name implies, resell to the public. A seamstress purchases to make and wear; or sell the actual design. A collector generally seeks out, gathers, catalogues, displays and maintains whatever items are of interest to them. In this case, patterns.
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Step 2
McCall's fashion circa 1930s2. Now, that you've decided you're a collector decide what type of patterns you want to collect. There's no formula for this, it's purely you.
What do you like?
Do old patterns remind you of childhood? Do you collect apron patterns because they remind you of nana baking christmas cookies in a dainty half apron?
Do you recognize the fashion genius of Christian Dior and collect his Vogue Designer Paris patterns to pay tribute?
Do you appreciate the artistry of Butterick and McCall pattern envelopes and want to reserve their beauty for all to see?
Or do you collect to preserve a pictorial history of fashion through time as it relates to women and their changing roles in history?
The choices are yours. -
Step 3
3. Now that you've narrowed your focus, start looking for vintage sewing patterns.
The good news--at present there's an abundance of antique and vintage patterns on the market that are both affordable and attainable.
It shouldn't be difficult to locate and collect as many as your heart desires. And your pocketbook can handle.
There are any number of online pattern seller venues to choose from. You can also visit thrift stores, shop yard and estate sells and attend auctions. You may find some in your own basement! -
Step 4
Pattern with envelope markings4. Okay, you've found what you've been looking for, next decide on what type of pattern condition you're willing to deal with in terms of adding to your collection.
Antique and vintage patterns are just that-antique and vintage. It's unreasonable to expect all you find to be in mint prime condition. Envelopes may not be present, there may be markings, rips, tears and stains. Nor is it uncommon to have missing envelopes, instructions or pattern pieces.
If you're able to examine the product. Do so. However, often you'll find collecting vintage sewing patterns is a buyer beware market.
In some cases, patterns may be untouched by time. The variations are wide.
As a collector, you decide what's important and what you're willing to collect and buy.
For me, I'm not overly concerned with envelope condition. An envelope can be reproduced. Nor do I care about missing minor pieces such as facings.
On the other hand, I refuse to purchase patterns missing instructions because instructions are hard to find and can't be historically reproduced without a master.
My idiosyncasies are my own and relate to why I collect.
Your reasons are your your own,
For example, a pattern sold on eBay for $176.00. There were no pieces or instructions. Apparently, the buyer purchased for envelope art.
Don't judge a book by its cover. -
Step 5
Large Format Vintage Vogue: Designer Simonetta5. Okay, start shaking those pockets for loose change or pull out your wallet or pocketbook.
Cost varies. You set your buying limits.
There's an abundance, even though collectors have been gobbling patterns up by the box load.
Prices range from .10 to $200.00 per pattern. It's nearly impossible to pinpoint an average due to fluctuations in sellers and variances that determine cost.
Online patterns trade like baseball cards. A seller may have come across a treasured designer pattern for a few bucks through luck or hustle. That doesn't mean you'll be able to repurchase the same pattern for a few dollars more.
Condition, year, maker, designer, presence of pieces, type, cost and expense to seller and rarity all play a part in final cost.
To offer an analogy, recently national news reported a woman had found what she believed was an insignificant baseball card. She post the card on eBay for $10.00. The card turned out being one of the FIRST baseball cards made. At auction, the card sold for $64,000.00
The best advice to a novice or expert collector---
Buy what you like and can afford. -
Step 6
6. Lastly, as a collector it's important to maintain and store your collection properly.
Read my article on properly storing vintage sewing patterns.
Comments
labellefleur100 said
on 3/27/2009 What a creative, interest and lovely idea. I love making things! 5* RCMD
gailM said
on 2/26/2009 I have stacks of old Country Gentleman magazines and the back half is called Country Gentlewoman and there are patterns there that show the styles of those years when I was growing up. Many are pictures of clothes my Mother made for me from feed sacks. I just love them and the old ads. Thanks for the information on clooecting patterns.