LOTS of vintage patterns!
Too many. How can this be, you ask? How could I possible have too much of a good thing?
I have bought vintage patterns over the years, in eras from the 1950's through the 1980's and usually women's clothing in average-woman sizes. A couple times I have received someone's mother's collection or something as a gift. I can use them, yes! And I soooo appreciate them. Some of them I have made into cute clothes! Sometimes I buy vintage patterns, too, since there are so many cute styles! But now I have too many. Yes, too many.
Our townhouse is about 900 square feet, and I don't really have a sewing room. The patterns live in the closet of the spare bedroom/my fiance's office, in boxes and organized by brand and era. Here's some of them:
Here's my question: I know I have more than I need. I don't want to sell each one individually, but I also don't want to just give them all to Goodwill where they may not be appreciated. I have some of the collectible/more designer Vogue ones for sale in my Etsy shop, but there are just too many to do this for individually!
What should I do??
I am thinking about trying to sell them as groups--rather than getting $4-8 for a vintage 70's Simplicity dress pattern, for example, I could sell a group of 5 Simplicity patterns from the same era and in the same size for $10, so about $2 each. Would any of you be interested in such a thing? I would pick the five, of course, but you could pick which set you wanted based on what was in it. They all sort of go together nicely as a theme... here are four randomly chosen ones that, if they're all the same size 12 or 16 or whatever, could be a nice little package!
Anyway, I'd love your thoughts on what you'd be most interested in. I would love to share the great vintage pattern goodness with you! Help me share the bounty and use my closet for other things!
Want! Patterns today are so expensive, these would be a bargain for those of us who haven't had generous "someone else's mother"-s. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh wow! And I thought my collection was extensive!
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely be interested in something like that. I'm all for sharing the vintage pattern love. I have some from the '40s that I've been meaning to render onto muslin to save them!
I'm definitely interested! Kind of like ElizabethB, mentioned, despite sewing much of the clothes of their youth neither my mom nor any of her sisters kept their patterns. At about $2 a piece, I wouldn't mind the randomly-selected in my size idea. I like how your sample pack has a blouse, a dress, a skirt--variety.
ReplyDeleteDO IT!!
ReplyDeleteI'd totally be interested in pattern lots for sale. :) Or you could do a giveaway. :) Or 20 giveaways, if you were trying to get rid of all of them. :)
ReplyDeleteAll good ideas, and yes, your readers would be interested!
ReplyDeleteTotally interested. Especially in blouse patterns near the 40 Bust size. :)
ReplyDeleteI would most definitely be interested, too! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteYes, please. I'd take those, thank you! LOL.
ReplyDeleteAs a beginner to sewing clothing, cheap patterns would be a nice, friendly way to get started. I'd definitely be interested in perusing collections of patterns in my size! (question: are 1970's sizes the same as 2010's sizes?)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean! I just sorted my patterns yesterday and found a few that I don't think I've ever seen before! *lol* I agree, selling them in groups according to era would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteIf your soon to be husband is anything like mine he would want to light the room on fire... sewing takes up SO much room and men don't get it. It's hard to part with vintage patterns because you know you will likely never be able to find that exact one again if you regret getting rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI think selling them as groups would be great, and you are bound to get at least one pattern that is really lovely. I would buy a set of 5.
ReplyDeleteYes! That would be fantastic! It would be so much fun to get a surprise selection in your size. I would definitely buy a package!
ReplyDeleteLove your collection, so jealous! I'd def be interested if you'd be willing to post overseas, this sounds like a great idea :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! I will post some groups of 5 for sale! Do you think Etsy is a good way to do it? Would you all be willing to buy through Etsy?
ReplyDelete@Lisa, 1970's pattern sizes ARE the same as 2011 pattern sizes because patterns still use the sizing conventions started in the mid-20th century. That's why I wear a modern 2 and a pattern size 12!
@banclothing, no, men don't get it. ;)
that's a great idea! I would definitely be interested in buying a selection from you!
ReplyDeleteWould love the opportunity to purchase bundles of patterns. My collection consists of about 100 mostly vintage (1970's ish) that I got from my grandmother , love vintage & luckily mOst of it is back in style
ReplyDeleteOoh I'd definitely be interested in some of these!!
ReplyDeleteI would be completely and totally interested.
ReplyDeleteI'D LOVE IT!
ReplyDeletebundles are definitely better
love your blog!
Sure, I'd love to buy patterns from you! Yeah a set of 5 for 10 bucks is a good deal. I would love to buy a set of vintage dress patterns :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog ;)
http://madeinsewcal-jewel.blogspot.com/
You could always use them as "giveaways"!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'd be interested in something like this.
ReplyDeleteyep, interested.
ReplyDeleteI would be totally interested...
ReplyDeleteI would totally buy some of yours! Especially if you have any 1940s or 1950s patterns!
ReplyDeleteI think selling them in groups would be a great idea! I would be very interested in buying some!
ReplyDeleteI'd totally buy some if one of them included a swimsuit pattern around the era of the 50's...i've been searching!
ReplyDeleteIf you have any children's patterns especially 50's and 60's....I will buy them!
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding? I would die for such an opportunity. I came across a bargain of a lifetime a year ago, at a local thrift shop and they gave me this huge box of vintage patterns they do not sell. I have been in heaven making up modern vintage outfits, and would love the chance to purchase more. Go For It !!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to buy some! And I would happily use Etsy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a novice sewer, so any labeling of the groupings would be helpful. Like I know my measurements, and that I can prob make something from a Simplicity pattern, but I don't know which patterns are more complicated, so it would be nice to look at a grouping and know if it better suited for a beginner, middle, or experienced seamstress.
-Sara B
So glad to hear you're interested and excited for when I post these! Thanks for the ideas... I will search for specialty types and group the patterns accordingly. I hope to get them posted this week!
ReplyDeletedo you still have some for sale?
ReplyDelete@Liz,
ReplyDeleteYes, I do! I am terrible, I never actually listed them. Wedding preparations took over my life. As soon as the wedding is over (tomorrow!) I should be able to have time to post them. =)
Whew! Finally got the on Etsy!
ReplyDeleteTo all of you who were interested before, check them out now in the shop! http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2011/10/tons-of-vintage-patterns.html