I buy, collect and sew with vintage patterns (almost exclusively 1930s era and Hollywood now, maybe a few iconic ones from other eras before 1960, though if I'm costuming, it might be anything!). I'm happy to give you a glimpse into my little head on this topic:
I buy patterns even more now that the Canadian dollar has tanked and buying clothing has become so much more expensive for me. And because of said tanking dollar, price is the number one thing that will entice me to buy a pattern.... unless it's something I'm absolutely dying for, my preferred price is less than $12 USD (including shipping).
Other than price, in the title I like to see:
Pattern company name, pattern number, vintage size and actual bust measurement, brief description. (So, pretty much exactly what you do already!
)
Though it's nice to be able to find something easily, I've never been able to search effectively by construction details on places like ebay. I pretty much either search by the pattern company's name (or number if there's a specific one I have in mind, or Star name if I'm looking for Hollywoods), otherwise I browse by date/era.
Speaking of Hollywood patterns, if there's a Star on it, please please include the name and the movie (if mentioned) in the title or at least in searchable text. I definitely collect these by Star, and I bet I am not the only one. Similar requests for designer patterns like Spadea, etc - include the designer's name.
I love having pictures of
both back and front.
If I'm going to knock off a garment, believe me, I will without or without the back picture! ;) Seriously, if my friends who sew costumes and vintage are any indication, a back picture might help a little, but for these mostly gifted and bold sewers, it's not going to be the decision maker. And for those who are not as advanced, the back picture isn't generally going to give them the confidence to start drafting.
However, I think having a picture of the back provides several valuable services:
- often I'm looking for a specific construction, or have favorite methods of making a garment; like maybe I want a center back seam, or not, or want princess darts, or want a kick pleat but not a slit in back of a skirt, or I want to confirm side or back closure, etc. Often the only views of the back construction are on the back of the envelope, and as a seller, you just can't always guess what I'm looking for, so let the picture do some of the talking. Also, sometimes design details are easier to appreciate in the line drawings and pattern pieces than the artistic renditions on the front.
- if I'm collecting, not just looking for something to sew, than condition on the back of the envelope is relevant to me.
- it gives me yardage required and sometimes fabric suggested.
- there might be some of the text on the back that helps me make a decision.
And then, as as already mentioned in this thread, condition/cut/completeness/printed or unprinted is good to know. I don't need a picture of the contents inside.
If a pattern is incomplete or the instructions are missing, I will look for another pattern. It would be very rare indeed for me to spend money on an incomplete one.
Maybe if the piece missing is something really really easy to duplicate and it's something I want to sew (rather than something I'm "Collecting" - in that case, I want it complete.)
Hope that's helpful