Show us your vintage patterns!

Vintage Betty · Sep 27, 2008

+++Bartender, feel free to move this question+++

If I want to share a pattern, but don't want to send the original, how do I share? Scan in? Photocopy? Please educate me!

Vintage Betty

Miss 1929 · Sep 27, 2008

I think you have to lay it out and copy it. It is difficult to scan or copy as there would be so many places to piece it together... easier to lay it out on paper and copy it, then photocopy the instructions. I prefer to do that with vintage patterns for my own use anyway, rather than trash the tissue pattern, especially as I always have to adjust them to fit my weird figure.

MarieAnne · Sep 29, 2008

Jumping for Joy...

My husband and I just got back from Cambridge, Ontario. While we were out shopping, seperately, my husband found a HUGE antiques warehouse and bought me a few vintage patterns. He also found a box in the store full of random scattered patterns. He got the whole box for $20. They were planning on using the patterns for wrapping paper:eusa_doh: There are about 25 patterns from the 60's and 70's and one childrens pattern from the 40's. I went back (to make sure nothing was left behind) and found a few books with vintage knitting patterns and several more patterns, all reasonably priced. Some of the patterns I even recognized from the patterns WANTED thread, and yes, I bought them. I better start taking pictures.

ShoreRoadLady · Sep 29, 2008

MarieAnne said:
While we were out shopping, seperately, my husband found a HUGE antiques warehouse and bought me a few vintage patterns. He also found a box in the store full of random scattered patterns. He got the whole box for $20. They were planning on using the patterns for wrapping paper:eusa_doh:

Aiieeee! No! :rage:

I'm happy that you saved them from such an obscure and pitiful fate!

maggiethespy · Sep 30, 2008

Hello, ladies! This is my first post in the forums... I probably should have introduced myself first. I'll do that next.

Anyway, I have inherited some of my grandmothers lovely patterns from the 40's and 50's, the lucky girl I am! This is the only one I currently have a photo of:

I made the slip and intend to make the camisole and petticoat. It was avery simple pattern to follow, and the result is gorgeous!

I also purchased this pattern today:

I intend to make the main view in navy polka dot fabric with white and red trimmings, a rounded neck, and an added collar. I was inspired by this Stop Staring dress:

MarieAnne · Sep 30, 2008

Here are the best patterns I've picked up in Cambridge. These don't include the box.

They each sold for 5 or 6 CAD.

LelaViavonie · Sep 30, 2008

Marieanne and Maggie!
Those are some wonderful patterns! I keep wanting to buy more but know that I need to slow myself down cause I dont sew that fast! lol

I love your patterns.. cant wait to see how they turn out! Post pics

Lady Day · Sep 30, 2008

maggiethespy said:
I also purchased this pattern today:

Okay, that is going to look SuperCute on you! Please post pics when finished!

LD

newtovintage · Sep 30, 2008

Ms. McGraw said:
Whew! Sorry newtovintage, the best I can do requires a little driving! There's Rockin' Rose in Toledo they do some vintage. If you want to make it a bigger roadtrip there are plenty of good places in Cleveland and Stiches In Time in Plymouth. Sorry I get an "F". I'm of much less help to you than I had hoped to be. Do I get points for effort? lol

Do you know of any places where I could vintage patterns in Ohio? I'm learning to sew from my mother, who is a jack of all trades when it comes to sewing,crafts,and so many many other things. I would really like to sew my own clothes that way I can make alterations and choose my fabrics and make as many garments as I need. I don't have alot of money so, the patterns need to be not too expensive. I'm on a tight budget till I get a job. But my mother has a vast amount of fabrics I can use, so that won't be a problem. And yes you do get points for effort. Thank you for trying to help me.
Sarah

LizzieMaine · Sep 30, 2008

If you're looking for vintage patterns and want to avoid paying collector prices, keep an eye out for church rummage sales and things like that. Often boxes of sewing paraphernalia will turn up in such sales, and while it's very much a grab bag, you can sometimes turn up some real steals.

Before you get into buying vintage patterns though, you should keep in mind that most patterns prior to the mid-forties (other than McCall's patterns) were unprinted -- they came from the manufacturer pre-cut to size, and were marked by coded perforations. These perfs are explained on the enclosed instruction sheet, but working with an unprinted pattern can sometimes be daunting for a new seamstress -- you might want to keep an eye out for vintage styles marked "Easy To Make!" before diving into more complicated projects.

Search around the various sewing threads here, though, and you'll find plenty of useful advice.

Paisley · Sep 30, 2008

I've also seen newer patterns that are throwbacks to the 40s. They tend to be very wearable stuff--to the non-vintage observer, they might seem vaguely old-school, rather than looking like a costume.

ShoreRoadLady · Sep 30, 2008

Paisley said:
I've also seen newer patterns that are throwbacks to the 40s. They tend to be very wearable stuff--to the non-vintage observer, they might seem vaguely old-school, rather than looking like a costume.

True, that. And there are vintage repro patterns from the big pattern companies - Simplicity, Butterick, and Vogue. Wait for the big sales at the fabric store - you can usually get Vogue for $3.99 and the others for $1.99 or even a dollar. Check out the "Show Us What You Made" thread for examples of these, made up. (Just be wary of sizing with modern patterns - usually they'll make everything *much* bigger than you'd think from the measurements.)

RedHotRidinHood · Oct 2, 2008

I hit the motherlode today. I am still high from it.

Got up at 5:30 to go wait in line at an estate sale that opened at 8:30...I am awful glad I did. It had advertised vintage everything including patterns, sewing, clothing, hats, etc. It was kind of pricey, especially the hats, but I bought two boxes of patterns for a buck each. There were over 120 patterns! I have kept 21 of them, and the rest are going up on the Bay very soon. I still can't believe some of the ones I found....and 90% of them are my size...ack!

Sassy, my little kitty, really likes to help Mama with stuff. Here she is asking me if I REALLY want to sell all those good ones...yes, I do. lol

the Vogue Couterier ones that I just about squealed when I saw:

And a few 30s ones that I think are pretty cool; check the real girl sizes on them!:

RedHotRidinHood · Oct 2, 2008

Here are my keepers. I just can't let go of these.

And last, this is the only one of these I have ever seen! It is already spoken for..

I had a very fun day!

Lady Day · Oct 2, 2008

Yeah you did! :eusa_clap

That Simplicity 1929 is great!!!

LD

SassyLindaB · Oct 2, 2008

I just won a couple of patterns on ebay:

Vogue 1954 style (V2960)
Vogue 1954 style (2267)

and an apron pattern Butterick B4087

I'll post some pics when I have made them up

LelaViavonie · Oct 2, 2008

I am loving the Mccall 1348 Pattern! Luck Duck!

Joie DeVive · Oct 2, 2008

RedHotRidingHood, what a fabulous find! I can see why you wouldn't want to let them go! You might want to run an eye over the "Wanted Patterns Thread". You might be able to sell a few and make somebody's dream come true.

Edited to address the comment to he correct person.. D'oh!

fuzzylizzie · Oct 3, 2008

Redhot,
That is one beautiful box of patterns. That embroidered cowgirl set is adorable!

Lizzie

newtovintage · Oct 3, 2008

Question

Hello! I know this may be off topic, but how can you find out what year a pattern was made in if the envelope has no date? I have some patterns that I think may be 40's vintage patterns, but they have no year on them. Can anyone tell me how I can figure out the date?
Sarah

Show us your vintage patterns!

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