How to Purchase a Vintage Butterick Pattern
Butterick patterns were first published in 1867. Butterick was the first company to produce instruction sheets and print dress patterns on tissue paper. Vintage patterns from Butterick have become collectibles for both sewers and lovers of vintage clothing. Those who collect for sewing are more interested in the pattern pieces themselves, and the clothing fans love the pattern packets with their colorful illustrations. There are a variety of places to find vintage patterns, from almost free to very expensive. Your final price almost always depends upon how much work you are willing to do in searching for your treasures.
Instructions
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Decide what type of pattern you are going to collect. If you are a fan of a certain era of clothing, like the 1930s or the 1950s, look for these Butterick patterns. Children's patterns are popular but harder to find intact, as many patterns were used repeatedly for making a child's wardrobe. Find your pattern style before you begin to look.
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Research online auctions to figure out a base price for your particular pattern genre. You will probably find some expensive examples and some that are cheap, but if you look at a large variety of past and current auctions on a large site like eBay, you can get a good idea of the average price of your collectible Butterick pattern types.
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Search thrift stores for patterns. Almost every thrift store sells some patterns, but some seem to have a larger collection than others. Make a tour of all of the thrift stores within driving distance, and take notes on which stores have the best varieties.
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Look for garage sales, yard sales and especially estate sales. These private sales are often home to piles of old patterns, and often at a very low price. The older the person holding the sale, the more likely you are to find vintage patterns. These sales are often the least expensive way to find patterns, but they are very hit-or-miss. You will either find a lot of patterns at a home, or none at all. Luck plays a big part in this method.
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Shop the Internet if you have your heart set on a particular pattern and you cannot find it elsewhere. There are companies that specialize in selling vintage patterns, but they charge a premium for the convenience.
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Tips & Warnings
Before buying any pattern, either online or in person, take out the tissue pieces to find out if they have been cut or used, or ask the seller to confirm whether or not the pieces have been cut and if the pattern is complete with instructions. The value is often higher if the paper is uncut.
