tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post8756964859436960546..comments2024-03-02T20:43:21.208-08:00Comments on NewVintageLady: The Vintage Pattern Primer: Cost effective patterns.Shelleyjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05223944949880318245noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-7219835330392035222014-04-09T09:22:48.065-07:002014-04-09T09:22:48.065-07:00I have 60 vintage patterns..not sure the date'...I have 60 vintage patterns..not sure the date's... I can find out..but how do I find out the worth of them?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14251557805806993684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-1742407227692864622010-08-03T14:33:29.242-07:002010-08-03T14:33:29.242-07:00This is a great post. I agree with you about the f...This is a great post. I agree with you about the factory folds. I would rather know that it it all there.<br /><br />Love your blog. Love your Gardenia dress.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing with us.Cyndi Dealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14939926726119520496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-37597980891285643762010-07-30T08:38:04.883-07:002010-07-30T08:38:04.883-07:00I should add:
(With apologies) I shop more on eBa...I should add:<br /><br />(With apologies) I shop more on eBay than on Etsy or through vendors. eBay has more disinterested and/or clueless sellers who are less likely to charge a premium. (This applies to my other hobbies, too. I buy more animal figurines there than through specialty sites, because I'm far more likely to find a deal.)<br /><br />If I want the garment and not the pattern for its own sake, I don't get stuck on a particular pattern company. Once in awhile, there is a dress design I can *only* find through a certain pattern company, but for basics (like 1940's two-piece dresses) all the pattern companies released nearly-identical designs. If the Hollywood or DuBarry version is expensive, I can probably find its Simplicity twin for $6. There are patterns I've bought because I wanted *that pattern* specifically, but I don't do that for ones I just want to sew.Little Black Carhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14313164876855565140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-8406592239093751262010-07-29T20:30:34.490-07:002010-07-29T20:30:34.490-07:00What a great post! I've been sewing all my li...What a great post! I've been sewing all my life, and am a big fan of vintage clothes, but am just now taking the plunge to sew some of my own from vintage patterns. I will definitely be visiting your blog again for some more tips!<br /><br />SueSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07406331473395339199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-77010796469508012072010-07-29T17:26:30.574-07:002010-07-29T17:26:30.574-07:00I find slews of 20s patterns at all the big online...I find slews of 20s patterns at all the big online malls, Main Street, Ruby Lane, Artfire, Ebay, Tias, Etsy. And some of the smaller places too.<br />Those I wont name because they are some of my special places to shop :)Shelleyjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05223944949880318245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-78693719311305066162010-07-29T17:09:25.178-07:002010-07-29T17:09:25.178-07:00I think your info was spot on (except where are yo...I think your info was spot on (except where are you finding 20's patterns cheap?). But I'd like to remind folks to look beyond etsy and ebay...try Google, or just look around a bit. I sell at Main Street Mall Online with several good pattern sellers and we have lots of goodies.<br />Come visit!What-I-Foundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960612319902765855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-43642254081192374202010-07-29T16:16:33.280-07:002010-07-29T16:16:33.280-07:00Totally agree with your post! I started buying abo...Totally agree with your post! I started buying about 6 years ago, and I think the average price for a 40s/50s pattern was $7-10?<br />Kicking myself, I wish I bought more evening dress patterns now. I'm seeing 60s patterns fetching much higher prices due to Mad Men though.Bexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764150864260948567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-2558202990026240562010-07-29T13:09:20.145-07:002010-07-29T13:09:20.145-07:00NVL, I like your tip about mixing and matching pat...NVL, I like your tip about mixing and matching pattern details. I've decided to be more open to that sort of thing. And I've yet to learn to do a FBA, but I need to learn, and perhaps a stunning vintage pattern might be the reason I finally do so. I really enjoy your blog!sulymohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07887228971839188556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-85520361083110085952010-07-29T12:23:22.438-07:002010-07-29T12:23:22.438-07:00I use to be that way too, Tart Deco, Then I realiz...I use to be that way too, Tart Deco, Then I realized, 20s patterns are 90 years old. 30s patterns are 80 years old. I wont pay more than $20 for something thats 80 years old and still usable?<br /><br />I think there is a difference between a bargain and a fair price. When I shop for patterns online, I look for both. I might not *want* to pay more for something, but if I want it, Ill pay for it. <br /><br />When I choose a pattern on ebay, I bid to win. I hate the 'hoping it does not go over my price' feeling. I do have a buffer as to how much I want to pay, but Id fork over money for a real nice pattern if it would save me from looking for it all over again.<br /><br />Not everything comes back around. Im still sour about loosing that hat pattern. *sigh* But I guess Im approaching all of this now with a collector mentality as opposed to someone who is just looking to accumulate patterns. For my personal collection, Im quite selective.<br /><br />Like right now I pretty much only buy patterns 40 bust and over and primarily 30s Du Barry. And they are not always a bargain :)Shelleyjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05223944949880318245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-15157075045643251252010-07-29T11:56:11.277-07:002010-07-29T11:56:11.277-07:00I would never in a million years pay more than $20...I would never in a million years pay more than $20 for a vintage pattern. This is for a few different reasons, but the biggest is that as long as I have a picture of the dress I can recreate the pattern to a certain extent using the patterns I have already. Also, I never allow myself to NEED a pattern enough that I can't wait to try and find it (or something similar) for a decent price just by waiting and looking.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855413111142257771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-20245423252010265412010-07-29T11:27:29.519-07:002010-07-29T11:27:29.519-07:00Really interesting, thanks. I can't imagine pa...Really interesting, thanks. I can't imagine paying so much for a vintage pattern. A DRESS maybe but a pattern?! :)Kestrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16984301306389767638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-47076781410615748592010-07-29T11:00:18.676-07:002010-07-29T11:00:18.676-07:00Thanks everyone!
-sulymo,
You are so right. I cant...Thanks everyone!<br />-sulymo,<br />You are so right. I cant stand sellers who dont list bust size in their pattern descriptions, or ones who purposefully block out the diagram on the back of the envelope. I think its crass and building a level of distrust between the buyer and seller right off the bat.<br /><br />News flash, if you can make a pattern by looking at the diagram on the back, then chances are you can make it by looking at the picture on the front.Shelleyjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05223944949880318245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-28367614253523528932010-07-29T09:26:29.800-07:002010-07-29T09:26:29.800-07:00Fantastic post! I love buying (and dreaming of buy...Fantastic post! I love buying (and dreaming of buying) vintage patterns. I don't let myself look at anything I can't afford so I'm not disappointed! I look for the most interesting details as opposed to classic dresses, since I already have a few classic styles that have worked for me. <br />Also: I add my favourite Etsy sellers as an RSS feed, so I know right away when they have new patterns. The really cool ones go quickly!Tasiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07073834888315981225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-44935459298574673632010-07-29T07:32:57.197-07:002010-07-29T07:32:57.197-07:00Great tips and great patterns! I just love the vin...Great tips and great patterns! I just love the vintage 30's and 40's. You are on the money about the classic dresses. You can always add to it.GoofingOffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16014727900043071603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-69277651303256192552010-07-29T07:23:39.267-07:002010-07-29T07:23:39.267-07:00Awesome post! Thanks.
I also love searching by pa...Awesome post! Thanks.<br /><br />I also love searching by pattern brand and number in order to see who else is selling the pattern. I would hate to buy a pattern and then find someone else was selling it for a lot less. I am shocked the prices some people spend for pretty common and plentiful designs.lsaspaceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058968076601943527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-69094884839115914582010-07-29T07:04:28.015-07:002010-07-29T07:04:28.015-07:00I just found your blog and your etsy site. I enjoy...I just found your blog and your etsy site. I enjoyed reading this article today. Thanks for writing it! I actually buy patterns from the '70s! They are most likely to suit my body type. You can still pay quite a bit for those, if you aren't careful. My biggest beef with the big vintage pattern sites is the general clunkiness of the search engines. And why oh why don't the pattern descriptions put size info foremost? And why can't I see the backs of the pattern envelopes? And I'm not buying anything if I can only see a thumbnail. Get with the 21st Century pattern sellers! But this is a fascinating new hobby!sulymohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07887228971839188556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-61134227980884955672010-07-29T07:01:29.305-07:002010-07-29T07:01:29.305-07:0090% of 1965-1969 patterns, it seems, are variation...90% of 1965-1969 patterns, it seems, are variations on the shift dress. You only need one. Ever. <br /><br />The problem with buying plain patterns is that those are also the ones that are easiest to improvise from patterns you already have. I'm more likely to skip 3 plain patterns that I like but could probably fudge from a pattern I already have, and spend more on a really cool pattern that would be harder for me to reproduce. (But then, I have a strict upper limit on what I'll spend on a pattern. $20 is a stretch.) <br /><br />I also don't buy 1920's patterns. Get one of those One-Hour Dress booklets instead. Most 1920's dresses can be faked with one of those.Little Black Carhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14313164876855565140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-41941276583855704362010-07-29T05:53:58.758-07:002010-07-29T05:53:58.758-07:00Good post! It is so silly that the 1960's patt...Good post! It is so silly that the 1960's patterns have gone up in price to cheat the few unknowing Mad Men enthusiasts who are new to pattern purchasing.Alyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204598010453409678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-35907818333552709922010-07-29T05:24:24.127-07:002010-07-29T05:24:24.127-07:00Great post, thanks for your tips! I'm new to t...Great post, thanks for your tips! I'm new to this game and have been buying a bit willy nilly, including patterns not in my size with a view to getting around to finding out how to grade them at some point. Hasn't happened yet, but some day! In any case, everything I've bought has been a bargain in my eyes - oh, they're so beauuuuutiiiful!Tillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346200271671855136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-49131650405390779972010-07-29T05:15:39.556-07:002010-07-29T05:15:39.556-07:00Love this post! I've definitely seen prices go...Love this post! I've definitely seen prices go up the past year or so, which has me kicking myself for not starting to buy patterns more often back when I first got on Ebay (c. 2003). :p Oh well--live and learn! I really appreciate your break down of pricing and such; it's something I've noticed but never articulated. <br /><br />I think my best plan of attack is to always watch and wait and have a budget. I try really hard not to get caught up in the hype of bidding, and if something goes for more than I think the design is worth, I skip it. Eventually I tend to find either the exact pattern, or something similar, for less. ;) Patience young Padawan! (At least, that's what I try to preach to myself. ;) I've had some great finds though--even in the crazy bidding that seems to go on lately on Ebay. Plus, I've noticed it goes through cycles--I tend to wait out the super active moments for the lulls and then pounce! ;) It's all about the thrill of the hunt!!!<br /><br />♥ Casey<br />blog | elegantmusings.comCasey Maurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09060290127464174281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-79506814709356121922010-07-29T04:38:45.870-07:002010-07-29T04:38:45.870-07:00Excellent overview -- great info. What I really l...Excellent overview -- great info. What I really like about Etsy (and eBay with Buy it Now) is that you can shop strictly according to price. Occasionally a 30s pattern will show up there that's quite cheap (less than $10) perhaps not carefully listed using the most accurate keywords, so it will get lost in the crowd. I've paid more than $20 only once, for a McCall's 20s pattern in excellent condition. And funny: only days later I won an eBay auction for an even better McCalls 20s pattern for $10 less! I don't even look at patterns I can't afford. <br /><br />My advice would be to look often; what's available changes daily. Thanks, Shelley!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370970170301288861.post-43001904316145670492010-07-29T04:34:29.936-07:002010-07-29T04:34:29.936-07:00Great tips! I definitely learned some stuff. I ...Great tips! I definitely learned some stuff. I do a fair amount of pattern collecting (I have 500+ -- yikes!) And need to start selling off some extras I've accumulated that either aren't my size or style. I actually do have a 32 bust (actually a little smaller!) and I know I'm lucky, since it is one of the most plentiful sizes out there. <br /><br />Where are you seeing affordable 20s patterns? I don't see many, and when I do they're super pricy. And you're right, pattern prices are definitely going up. I think there's more interest in them, which is not a bad thing. <br /><br />My "pattern that got away" was a Pauline Trigere pattern from the 60s. Normally I won't pay extra for a designer pattern, as you can typically find knockoff patterns of the same designs for less that came out in the years following. But this one was special, and I haven't seen it for sale in any size since.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10674930108735903116noreply@blogger.com