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

[vintagemodo]

((((HUGS)))) back at you Lyd:


Thanks for your input. I can always depend on your sound thoughts and advice.

I had been listing patterns in both lots and singles, with no luck. I guess I'll give them a rest for a while, and try again towards the end of Summer.

No one ever told me this was going to be easy....LOL :^O

[vintagemodo]

Time for a

[pukmis]

Lydia...
What's gonna be hot this coming season??? Huh Huh Huh???

The folks who know the truth , aren't talking.
The ones who don't have a clue,
...you can't shut them up. ~Tom Waites~

[jazznut2]

Well - howdy doody Annie...what's hot this coming season??? Hmmmm - not sure about the fashions but...

I do know that tatting patterns are hard to come by as well as clean vintage tatting cotton thread - especially the variegated colors.

And smocking patterns, especially ones with the transfer sheets with the dots are also hard to come by.

So offering these for auction might garner a few bids because specialty shops that used to carry these items are closing down a lot but the smockers and tatters are out there looking for the patterns and supplies.

Remember to try and make a lot of 2 or more items keeping an eye on the weight so that you can give them the most for their shipping dollar.

Another thing to remember is to slip patterns, transfers etc. into a plastic bag before you seal them in an envelope. If rain seeped in (some still have mailboxes at the end of their road or on the outside of their homes) - a great pattern can be ruined. Your customers will notice the care.

And since we can't use boxes with logos etc on them unless we wrap them well with heavy kraft paper - cut the sides and bottoms into sections the size of your patterns or magazines to keep the post office from bending them...customers also notice this.

If I spot a needlework trend I'll pop back in here.

Lyd

[vintagemodo]

Great question Annie....and Lyd, as always, great answers with lots of good information.

I have a question that may seem a little Duh????;\

You mentioned combining 2 or 3 patterns, and while doing so, keeping thoughts on the weight of a package, to minimize shipping costs.....OK NOW, the question...Can you give us a rough weight number to keep in mind when we are chosing 2 or mor patterns to make up a Lot?

Thanks in advance Lyd...:-)

[msmaggie060]

Just found this thread!Never thought anyone would want to buy old patterns. I used to knit when I was young but too many other things great to do now. Good thing I kept all my old Patons and Phildar knitting patterns, most from the 60's and 70's, nearly all baby patterns, they were my Mom's. I guess I'll have to think about selling them some time. Is there a market for the old Beehive patterns which have knitted animals, teapot covers, etc?

[jazznut2]

Okay - Maggie first - auction your Phildar baby pattern books one at a time and start them at no less than $4.95US (I've seen the baby layettes ones from the 60's/70's have bidding wars and fetch 20 dollars and more if the right bidding knitters are online). PHILDAR and PINGOUIN baby issues from the 70's and thereabouts are very much sought after.

Vintage Patons/Beehive with novelty items like doll clothes, tea pot covers etc. could be started around $2.95 to $3.95US but make sure to describe the condition accurately....i.e. if there is a lot of writing, coffee splash stains or rings or tears - mention these and also if it's coming from a smoking home as many are allergic to the odor.

Maureen - hopefully you have a little weigh scale - doesn't need to be digitally accurate but should be close. Weigh not only a few patterns or pattern books but put the envelope on the scale too and make sure it is a tad under the weight maximum to account for tape, labels etc. because even one gram over and it's the next rate for postage.

Dressmaking patterns can vary in weight depending on what it is and who it's for so I can't say - 2 or 3 patterns = X grams...you have to weigh them.

If you have a friendly postal outlet - put whatever you're considering as a lot into an envelope and next time you're at the outlet - and it's not busy - ask them to weigh it and put the weight in the corner of the envelope with a pencil...that way you'll know what the cost will be to the US and overseas and if it slips through the template and is under 500 grams you'll know it's on'y $2.45 CDN max....

Hope some of this helps.

HUGS
Lyd

[pukmis]

Ah hey there Ms Lyd!!!
Thanks for your ever always great information!!! I could of
picked up a bunch of tatting cotton a few weeks back...
but the store I go too will have more come in I am sure!!!
Yep yep and yep to the smocking and tatting patterns...now the trick is to
find the stuff!!!
I actually picked up Dianne Durand Smocking ...technique , projects
and designs the other day!!! I must of been reading your mind!!!
Also with that a packet of English Smocking Dot Transfer sheet...
plus a semi-used Dritz Tracing Paper!!!
You are a fountain of information Ms Lyd!!! Hope all is well
out your way!!!
Thanks again!!!

The folks who know the truth , aren't talking.
The ones who don't have a clue,
...you can't shut them up. ~Tom Waites~

[vintagemodo]

Time for a bump....Is everyone busy with their Fall, Christmas projects?:-D

[msmaggie060]

Thanks for your great wealth of information about the sewing, knitting and crocheting patterns. I now have a good stash of all which I will soon start selling on eBay. I have only made 3 purchases so am waiting until I get more feedback before I start selling. Anyway, what about the sewing patterns for craft items, the ones you get in the 5x8 clear envelopes that usually come with a photo on the front and instructions inside. I have quite a few, do they sell and should I list them under sewing patterns or crafts? They are sewn but are usually craft type or quilted items. Any help appreciated.

[jazznut2]

Hi Maggie - I haven't been by in awhile and I apologise. Not up to flitting about all the boards anymore but I should try and come by here more often..

First, I only had 1 feedback and as a buyer and then I started selling when I found so many auctions with bids and noticed I had many of the same items in my huge craft stash.

If the sewing pattern is for a quilted wall hanging then list it under quilting patterns...if it's for clothes then under sewing patterns and then the right sub category depending on whether it's for men, women, children or a mixed lot of patterns.

If the patterns are for dolls they have a category for doll patterns too. For the patterns that are lightweight like this and if they didn't cost you much, try grouping 2 or 3 together. You can still send 2-4 patterns in a lettermail envelope if you place them 2 beside 2 on a thin piece of cardboard and then wrap tightly with a plastic wrap and make it snug..place in a manilla envelope. This will go lettermail in Canada as long as it's not over 500 grams and to the states as well.

If the end bid was a good one and you worry about needing insurance (though I've never had anything lost yet in more than 5 years) I send as small packet surface...sending airmail isn't really necessary as they seem to get there within a few days of each other anyway and no one is that desperate to get a pattern that they can't wait the max of about 14 postal business days.

Hope this helps - and I'm sorry it took so long to get back here.

Lyd

[polly.wants.a.cracker]

This is a great thread, thank you for posting it Jazznut:)

[lolagoldengirl]

Its funny after looking at the mess in my room I wondered how all the other pattern sellers felt. I was alone in my addiction to buying patterns in the thrift.It all started with a Pingouin baby pattern.The thrift store had at least 30 of them and I sold my 1st for 20.00! I went back and bought the whole lot, then vogue and Sandra.I have become quite adept at what people want to buy.
I got a box of patterns for 5.00 at an auction sale and it took off then.I currently have 400 patterns for sewing, 100 crochet and 200 knitting! I get them when I see them, usually once a week at a thrift.I love the people I sell too as well.Kepp it up ladies!

[bluenines1]

hi
Thank you so much for all of the informaton on selling patterns , i new to selling on ebay and the info was a great help in getting started .

[jazznut2]

You're welcome - both of you. Patterns are fabulous and never pass up the Pingouin or Phildar baby layette pattern books. They are highly sought after and can generate bidding wars.

I wrote a basic guide for eBay using some of my information here for sewing patterns and will write the other ones (crocheting, knitting, quilting) later. If you get a chance have a peek, and if you think it's helpful you can click on the YES button. This way eBay can determine how helpful a guide is to buyers and sellers.

http://reviews.ebay.ca/Vintage-Sewing-Patterns-Buying-and-Selling-Tips_W0QQugidZ10000000000096639

Lyd

[jennyknitstoo]

YPE OF MAIL (g) CAN($)
Standard (S/L) - includes letters, cards or postcards Up to 30 0.85
Over 30 up to 50 1.00
Other Letter-post - includes items that are non-standard and/or oversize Up to 100 1.70
Over 100 up to 200 2.90
Over 200 up to 500 5.80
e U.S.A. For details go to International Letter-post.

I was guessing you where saying that nothing could be mailed for 3.75 and under. Indeed lots of stuff can.

[jennyknitstoo]

SORRY disregard above post!

[gloria*bolivar]

Hi everyone
I realized that the original poster of this thread has written a review for ebay condensing this information.
It's a little more permanent and available to a lot more peole.
You can find it by clicking on the to 25 review icon when you click on her feedback number.
To show support for the help she has given in this area, it would be nice to go see it and rate it.

[msmaggie060]

Lydia, thank you so very much for all your info. on patterns. I have finally listed a few items for sale and already have 1 watcher! If I can get the computer away from the rest of my family I'll get some more listed. Anyway, one more question: I bought some bubble wrap envelopes to ship books in. Am I better to just put the books in bags with cardboard and a plain manilla envelope instead of the bubble wrap ones? It would be cheaper I think. Thoughts on shipping? Thanks again.

[jazznut2]

It all depends on the weight and the value of what I ship whether I use bubble envelopes or cardboard protection and manilla envelopes.

I save the bubble envelopes for the heavier items like several good condition pattern magazines or books - I want them to arrive in the condition they were listed as...and also if the item makes a decent profit I think the winner has a right to the best protection for the money they spent.

For sewing patterns I generally put them in a plastic bag to prevent water damage in case they are left in an outside mailbox and then use a manilla envelope which I always tape around side to side and cover the address (again I worry about moisture blurring the address) and also top to bottom around...if for any reason postal rough handling should cause an envelope to split on the sides the tape will keep it fairly together.

For books I buy a 250 foot roll of single faced corrugated cardboard from a company in town which lasts more than a year considering the amount of books I send and my hubby's auctions as well. I cut sections needed, double wrap books in that and most can go in a manilla envelope taped snuggly on all sides so that it looks wrapped like a present, if you can picture what I mean. On occasion I use the corrugated cardboard and a bubble envelope depending on the book, distance it has to go and value. From the feedback comments I know my winners appreciate the extra care taken since they've paid for the item and the high shipping cost (even though that's Canada Post's fault and not ours).

Hope some of this helps you a tad.

Lyd