Patterns found on a good day

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Lydia Thorn

Registered Guest
(Intro)
I know I just started here but I happen to love vintage clothing (mostly Victorian era) So I hope I will be treated kindly
(Main topic)
Last sunday I visited the local flea market. Just a little place and as I was walking around a regular gentleman who sells every sunday gave me 3 shopping bags full of patterns. Patterns from the 50s to early 90s if my research is right. Some were slightly water damaged, and some were wrapped in plastic wrap. But I found Vogue, New Look, Butterwick, McCalls and Simplicity. Some were even by companies I haven't even heard of. (Textile Studio to name one)
But the truth of the matter is. I have no need for most of these patterns and I would rather not toss them. So what I am truly asking is... What should I do with them? Are they no good to anyone?
 
Oh yes, they are good for someone! Even if there are pieces missing. We have pattern people here who can answer this better, but there are people who love old patterns.
 
Hi Lydia,
We are a international community here on the VFG, if you can let us know which country you are writing from we can better help, and interested parties may get in touch with you.
 
Are you hoping to sell them, or simply to give them to a good home?

There is a market for vintage second hand patterns, especially the older ones. However water damage will reduce the value, and complete patterns are much more desirable than incomplete ones. Unused/uncut patterns are the most desirable.

If you are simply trying to find a good home for them, yes, definitely someone will want to take them off your hands. You can donate them to a charity shop, or make a local vintage dealer very happy!
 
I shall be happy to take them and will pay shipping.

If you want to donate them, the U of Rhode Island has a pattern library. Both the patterns and shipping are tax deductible. I'll be happy to post the address. Please don't give them to a local charity shop; they'll get lost in the shuffle.

The curator of URI's pattern library has written a history of the paper pattern. I have a galley copy to read and review. I'll write more about it later, but it's truly fascinating and an extensive history.
Claire
 
claireshaeffer said:
I shall be happy to take them and will pay shipping.

If you want to donate them, the U of Rhode Island has a pattern library. Both the patterns and shipping are tax deductible. I'll be happy to post the address. Please don't give them to a local charity shop; they'll get lost in the shuffle.

The curator of URI's pattern library has written a history of the paper pattern. I have a galley copy to read and review. I'll write more about it later, but it's truly fascinating and an extensive history.
Claire
Click to expand...

Ms. Claire I like the idea for the pattern library but I am not sure they will want them while some are truely antique. Some are in very bad condition and some are in mint condition but I will admit they all seem to be used.
So if you are still interested. What I would like to do is send them to you and let you decide if they can go to the library.
 
Actually, URI will take anything. Sometimes a part of a pattern is better than nothing.

I'll post the address later this afternoon.

In the meantime, I'll check to see if I can post the email address I use in ads. I don't have a website. I do have a Facebook page.
 
If you want. You can post a FB message to Miranda Westerman with this Icon. 371729_100003679399124_612694689_q.jpg
I will get the address
 
Claire is that the collection that was started by Betty ..... (forgotten her last name) - she was trying to collect every pattern that was ever commercially produced. I sold her my first pattern collection in the 1980s, and she had an assistant who was a heavy buyer of patterns on eBay in the early days, but I remember hearing she died.
 
Jonathan,
The original collection was started by Betty; Joy Emery was probably the assistant at the time. Betty died just before the FIT exhibit about home sewing.I didn't know Betty, but see Joy at Costume Society. She's very nice and really credits Betty for starting the collection in the book.

Joy is the curator now. I gave them a lot of patterns several years ago. This year I sent copies of all my patterns that I had duplicates. Sadly, I don't have all of them.
 
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