Vintage Patterns - Knitting - Crocheting - Sewing - What to Buy OR Sell

[jazznut2]

Okay - I see eBay/Liveworld has been cutting the valuable threads here - ones that have helped us as buyers and sellers. That information is long gone but hopefully we can re-create some of those threads for the benefit of everyone interested.

I'm not an expert in this subject but I have specialized in selling vintage needlework patterns and items since I began on eBay 4 years ago. So here are just a few tips that may be helpful to some.

SEWING
Collectible and saleable sewing patterns need not be very old to be sought after by the collector and profitable to the seller. But the condition is important and if you feel you don't have the time to check over each pattern envelope, don't expect to reap the rewards of high bids as some have.

When looking - check garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets - I usually prefer to pay 10 to 25 cents per pattern or maybe a dollar or two for a box of them, which usually yields one or more good finds, but leaf through them first....nothing but current patterns that have been used are generally a waste of time and money.

Envelopes needn't be in great condition BUT if mousey chewed or piddled on, avoid...ripped and/or taped is fine as long as all the pieces are inside, but if it's old (1940's or earlier) it's worth the risk and I'll buy it. I've sold many patterns which were missing a piece or two because the experienced seamstress can usually duplicate the pieces if the pattern is one she wants.

Factory folded is great - meaning the pattern is still folded neatly inside the envelope, flat and untrimmed and all there. If the pieces have been trimmed you can tell if they are all there by looking at the paper instruction sheet inside and matching the pattern pieces to the letters or numbers (12 pieces 1-12 or A-L etc.)

Some of the best sellers are for doll clothes especially from the 1960's and earlier. Doll collectors want clothes from the era their dolls were made and collect these patterns even if a few pieces are missing as most patterns offer several outfits per envelope.

Look for a date either on the instruction sheet at the bottom, front or back...or on the envelope, usually at the top of the back or along the side. The price can be an indication too as most of these will be 25 cents to 50 cents originally whereas today's patterns are several dollars each.

Barbie doll fashions are very saleable as are women's fashions from the 40's (halter tops, swing coats, purses and hats etc.), some children's fashions are but mainly those for babies. I've rarely found men's fashions to be worth the effort to sell. Costume patterns are iffy as profit makers unless sold in lots of several to make the shipping worthwhile to the buyer.

Transfer patterns (those with tissue sheets inside with patterns you iron onto fabric or linens and then embroider) are very collectible especially if they are ones for days of the week (7 patterns one for each day and usually of an animal or child doing a daily chore), Mexican scenes, Dutch scenes, animorphic (sp? -fruits/vegetables with faces)etc.....never found much enthusiastic interest in the alphabets/monograms ones so I usually avoid them unless very old.

Handle any tissue pattern very carefully as they may be fragile if stored in hot or damp areas in the past.

When listing give a good close scan of the envelope and if possible the inside pieces (stacked together, not individually) - mention the date and any information from the back of the envelope about contents (name of the doll the pattern is for, date if available, if counted to make sure all pieces are there etc.) - do a search for similar patterns on eBay and see if others are having any success listing the same or similar ones and whether they are getting counter hits and/or bids.

Be realistic in your starting price - I've seen so many sellers starting a single pattern at $4.95US and higher "because it's old" - lots of things are "old" but that doesn't make them worth anything if the buyers are looking for a more reasonable starting bid, especially if condition isn't factory folded and extremely good. And if you can sell 2 or more patterns in one lot it will be more attractive to bidders than just one.

Okay these are just a few things to look for in the sewing area. Next time I'll try and cover the Knitting/Crocheting area of pattern collecting. Any questions or personal observations of your own?? Add them here.


Lyd

[jazznut2]

PONCHOS AND SHAWL PATTERNS
The current money making trend is for any poncho patterns (knit, crochet, hairpin lace crochet etc...and I've had some very high bids in the last few months in both pattern categories).

My advice would be first - search out any McCall's Needlework or Craft issues and especially from the 1960's and 1970's especially, Mon Tricot, Pingouin and Phildar as well as many Lynn Brooks mags will have one or more if they are from that era....these usually yield, not only poncho patterns but shawl patterns as well PLUS crocheted fashions and bikinis. Crocheted fashion patterns are hard to come by and many crocheters are looking to the sources from yesterday and updating them with the yarns of today.

CAUTION: When removing a pattern from an old magazine (I do this when there is little else of crafting value inside to reduce shipping cost) really exercise care that you have ALL of the instructions. In many of these older mags the instructions will start on pg xx...then be continued on page yy and the last little bit might be on page aa....Make sure you have everything and then carefully staple all instructions to the back of the picture.

I will usually make a lot of 3 to 10 patterns depending on what I have available (I have crafting issues to the roof rafters from decades ago) - people are looking for more value for their bidding dollar, especially since there is shipping involved.

The same goes for shawl patterns....if you want to see what and how I've packaged the ones I sell and the prices that are possible - have a peek at my current auctions...the closed ones - and even the ones that are past 30 days but accessible in the feedback profile. It will give you an idea of what to look for - where and what interest there is.

Lydia

PS:

Another word of caution - these needlework magazines will have umpteen pictures of knitted or crocheted items BUT many times they are just that - pictures only - and you have to read the fine print to see whether the pattern itself is in the magazine or whether you were to send for a leaflet from the yarn company...many sellers have received a negative because the one pattern a bidder wanted was never in the magazine BUT the seller featured it in a scan which is misleading...unintentionally mind you...but still misleading.

[pukmis]

Hi Lyd...

ooops did I say that too loud???

[gloria*bolivar]

Glad to see you keeping this thread up. I really depend on your eye to spot the trends.
You are awesome!

[jazznut2]

Hi Annie - yell all you like - at my age the hearing wasn't the first thing to go, but it was a close second.

:o)

I'll keep you all updated when I research the needlework buying trends....I'd rather we all make a little money than keep it to myself....not awesome 🐵 - I just like sharing.

Hi Glory

[dietpepsiluvr]

OH OH OH OH OH OH OH!!! *waves madly* !!!!!!!!!!!!

Sherry told me to take a peek over here --- smart sister o mine - I might just have to keep her!!!!!

Sandra *doin the happy dance* 🙂

[jazznut2]

Hi Sandra 🐵

Just wanted to make sure I didn't let anyone down who might be looking for more information...I always try to finish what I start....well, except for diets maybe. 🐵

[dietpepsiluvr]

Group gropeHUG!!!! (although Annie might like the former as opposed to the latter, har har) 🙂

[lor1492]

Thank you Lydia, for this thread and all your help. Because of that help I've done very well with a box of patterns I picked up - I pd $1 for the box, I've made about $150 US and its only half empty.
I agree this thread ROCKS!!!

[neatstuffkp]

I have to agree with you Lor - Lydia Rocks!

[gloria*bolivar]

lor1492
That is a wonderful testimonial.
Lydia is very generous with her knowledge. She's helped a lot of sellers get started in selling craft patterns.

[jazznut2]

Lori I'm so very happy for you. What a success story - from a $1.00 box to a nice profit...with 1/2 the box still to go.

Both the Maritimes and the western prairie provinces have a gold mine in vintage patterns because so many women who were isolated in small communities or on farms, would send away for mail order patterns that only cost a dime then plus a penny postage and now those same patterns are highly collectible, especially if in relatively good condition - with or without the envelopes (envelopes help a collector to date them though so save those as well as the patterns).

Keep an eye out for those poncho patterns and shawls - you've done really well with those - sometimes a magazine looks like it should be tossed because of the condition BUT look inside to see if there are any patterns, especially if they are 60's or 70's magazines...remove all instructions for a pattern completely and staple to the picture...save them for making a lot and the bidders will love it.

Lyd

[loonette01]

Hmmm...

Hi Lydia! So from reading the above am I understanding correctly that its not so much about selling the entire magazine, but that it is acceptable to take them apart and sell patterns individually, but in groups of similar interests? I would never have known that! Thank you!

not that I sell, but you just never know, someday maybe...

I would have to say my biggest problem is that when I find patterns, I want to KEEP them. ((pack-rat))

Take Care, -Sherri:-)

[jazznut2]

Hi Sherri - yes there are many sellers who mention in their auctions that "this pattern has been carefully removed from a vintage craft magazine and includes the complete instructions and a picture" and I always enclose mine in a clear plastic folder and send in a large manilla envelope I buy in bulk - to minimize any folding.

The key here is to make sure you have ALL the instructions and graph patterns if any, - sometimes the instructions are continued on more than one page and if it's a pattern that includes a graph, like in Fair Isle, to make sure it's a part of the instructions you clip.

Take a look at some of my finished auctions of poncho pattern lots - they all came from several old and very heavy magazines with mainly tacky stuff that is so outdated no one would make them now - but they do contain baby patterns, shawl and poncho patterns, bikinis and beach cover-ups etc....and these are trendy now - so now is the time to offer them.

I know some sellers offer only one pattern in an auction but to have the edge you really should give the bidder more for their money 🐵 - that's why I like to make auction lots of several similar pattern types.

And so far it's working great.

P.S. - You wouldn't believe the shelves and boxes of patterns I have and the more crochet I find the more I want them all - I'm really starting to be selective in what I auction because I really love what I collect.

Email if you're ever looking for patterns - I have a folder of websites full of knitting and crochet patterns and I don't mind sharing.

Lyd

[starlandstudio]

Thanks, Lydia, for starting this very helpful thread!

Although they aren't our main product, I have enjoyed selling vintage sewing and craft patterns and have had fairly good success with them. I hope to continue offerning them regularly.

I was just given a box of old patterns (yippee!!!) and it contains 2 of particular interest.

One is a 60's apron, and comes with iron-on transfers. It is the type that was sent away for from a newspaper, postmarked 1962. It includes iron-on floral embroidery transfers, and is completely unused. (Although 1 piece is cut out.)

The other is a poncho pattern (4 views, handkerchief style) from McCall's, 1975. It also includes an iron-on cross-stitch transfer, unused.

I'm o.k. with choosing categories and think I know what to include in the listings, but would like suggestions on starting prices. In the past, I have started sewing patterns at 1.99 or 3.99, depending on age and desirability. I haven't had any with transfers before, though, and I remember them being mentioned as quite a selling point.

If anyone has advice regarding starting price, best time to list or anything else you think I should know, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Colleen

P.S. What a cozy board this is! Nice to see some familiar faces, and hello to those I haven't yet met.

[jazznut2]

Hi Colleen - patterns are great because they are so simple to ship and the low shipping cost makes them an appealing auction.

As to price - I would maybe start the apron at $2.95 and the Poncho pattern at $3.95 since ponchos are the hot item right now....mainly in the knitting and crocheting areas BUT the sewers also want to be trendy and if they don't crochet or knit they can still have this now fashion item by sewing a poncho. You could even add some of these remarks in your description to appeal to a sewer's "need" to keep up with the fashion trends using their own area of needlework expertise.

Scan the pattern envelope and transfer (they should all be able to snuggle up lengthwise on your scanner for one shot)- the unused transfers are definitely a drawing point.

Sometimes it takes a relist to sell them but I've seen myself listing a vintage apron pattern and not having a bid, waiting a few days to a week and relisting and then having more than one person want it.

It all depends on when the buyer is online - but I tend to do a search for the same type of item that I plan on listing and if I see a number of them and none receiving any bids I also check the completed auctions and if I notice there too that the same pattern style I want to list has closed without bids then - I wait.

When I see there's interest when I do a search then I list mine because I know it will come up when these newly interested bidders are keeping watch to see if there's a similar or better deal on that item.

You want them to find yours at a time when they are looking -

Lyd

[starlandstudio]

Hi Lydia,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your advice.

So far, I’ve shipped patterns and prints by letter mail. The low prices are great, but there have been some queries about delivery time, as well as 2 undelivered, so I am thinking of using small parcel. (Primarily U.S.) From the shipping prices on your auctions I have seen, I assume you use letter mail? How reliable have you found it, overall?

Thanks for the ideas on the “fashion trend” notes for the listing. I think they are very appropriate! I’ll be sure and include the transfers in my pics, too.

What an excellent idea regarding listing when interest is high! Not just for patterns, but other items as well. I have learned to look for what has sold in completed auctions, but I don’t think I have been using the current auction information nearly as well as I could.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Thanks again for your generous advice.

Colleen

:-)

[jazznut2]

Hi Colleen - so far I've never had one package lost or damaged in over 4 years of selling...I'm super careful to include my return address label and to cover it in clear tape to ensure it doesn't get damaged or peel off - and I print the TO name and address in a marker gel pen and then cover that in clear tape as well...plus I add a piece of clear tape sideways over the green sticker since I have heard of them becoming lost or stuck to another package.

I have always wrapped any boxes in kraft paper long before this controversy of boxes with words or food labels being returned...

Ever since CP offered insurance with small packets that's how I send most of my pattern books under 500 grams since they seem to arrive in about the same number of days as airmail BUT with small packet there is insurance, just in case.

My patterns and pattern magazines are always shipped in these clear plastic folders I buy from the dollar store 6/1.00 and my winners love them because they keep the mags safe during shipping and are perfect for storing them at home and keeping them in good condition.

I always add the following to my emails when advising a winner that their item is on its way...this lets them know the estimate of 14 postal business days till delivery is not only an estimate but it's also not a guaranteed delivery time and that any delay is due to USPS and not me as a seller.....so far - no complaints.

"Your USPS has advised that due to a heightened security alert and the need to carefully examine incoming packages, there may be a slight delay in the normal estimated delivery times. Hopefully the delay, if any, will be minimal"

[jazznut2]

Just sent a suggestion to another sewer on CTS and thought I would post it here in case it might help someone else - either to make the item or to sell a pattern of one they might have in their collection.

"Just read your post on your new thread and wondered - have you ever thought of buying a doll pattern that makes a life size doll - I had one around here that was the size of a 4 year old but might have sold it. It was by Vogue about 20 years ago, but they must still make them. Just stuff it and dress the doll or dolls if you find different lifelike sizes of patterns...and photograph. If you want a more lifelike face instead of embroidering one on you could ask a photo place if they could make a life size emlargement of one of your own kids' faces and then using a transfer process - transfer the real "face" to the head piece before you finish sewing and stuffing it. Less expensive than a real one and you can pose it sitting in a chair, standing in the garden, sitting on a tricycle etc...."

[gloria*bolivar]

What a cute idea.

[jazznut2]

I should add about that doll that, the sewer was wondering about buying a mannequin to photograph her sewn clothing on to give buyers a better idea of the size and how outfits would look on a real child...but mannequins can be expensive as well as hard to come by so that's why I suggested making a life size doll as a mannequin or model for a seller's crocheted, knitted or sewn items that they are selling.....guess I didn't make that clear enough in my post above.

:o)