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

[nanamarnie]

Hello everyone,

This is a great place to get great information. Thanks so much to all of you for all your great info.



I have been selling quite a few smocking patterns lately & had some great success. I will be going to my smocking supplier later this month hopefully, for anyone who's interested in smocking patterns, plates, how-to books, fabric, supplies, pleaters, needles etc. If anyone needs anything specific, let me know & I'll have a look while I'm there.



Again, thanks for all the great input here. I love dropping in & reading all your posts. You are all so friendly. I would love to be a part of such a wonderful & helpful group of people. I will definately check back much more often now that I'm aware that you're here.


Take care,

Marnie

[vintagemodo]

Welcome Marnie, and come back anytime. There are a lot of helpful and informative people here, that are always willing to share their ideas. Have fun shopping at your smocking suppliers.

I did some smocking when I was in grade school, which was around the time Noah was building his arc....;-)
You had to do everything by hand then, and I learned very quickly that hand sewing just wasn't for me...:-)

Don't forget to check out the new Craft and Hobbies discussion board.
http://forums.ebay.ca/forum.jspa?forumID=600000002

[vintagemodo]

Just heading off to bed, and shutting down the computer for the night.....BUT, wanted to give this very interesing and informative threat a

[pukmis]

Hey Lyd...whats hot this comin' season???

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[jazznut2]

What's hot?? Not me - that's for darned sure 🐵

Hi Annie - patterns for crocheted baby dresses - frilly frocks, christening dresses that can be made in short lengths for all special occasions etc - prices for them can go high enough to make a seller smile and a buyer feel they have something special they can use for years.

1930's patterns in women's knit and crocheted fashions - accessories too such as purses, handbags and hats from the 30's/40's

Norwegian knitting patterns especially names like Peer Gynt and Sandnes Uldvarefabrik (with English instructions) - lace knitting patterns - and good smocking patterns and pattern books.

Any knitting book by Alice Starmore or even certain pattern magazines like Vogue Knitting or Threads (especially the older issues) with articles and especially a pattern or 2 by Starmore.

And if you ever come across a large hardcover book by June Hemmons Hiatt called The Principles of Knitting - grab it - I've never seen one go for less than 150US and up to 300US depending on the bidders.

Lyd

[pukmis]

Oh Lydia !!!
YOu are such a sweetie!!! I finally changed my puter room around...
actually dug through it ...found my parrots finally...lol I knew
their cages were in there somewhere...hahahaha j/k!!!
So now I have a basket of older knitting patterns and several
quitting pattern books ...man I actually almost know what I have now??? Not really!
Thanks for the heads up on the June Hemmons Hiatt book...
You spoke of 30's 40's purse patterns? I actually have one ...I also have
a purse that was made in one of the patterns in it!
Would it go better if I sold them together or should I separate them???

Lydia thanks for taking the time to pop into your thread to help
me out...hahahaha that sounds funny!!!
Hope your summer has been a great one !!!

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[jazznut2]

Annie was the purse made recently from a vintage pattern or can you tell if it was made around the time the pattern was published??

Is the purse crocheted or knit? And from what materials - yarn or gimp?? What is the condition??

I would be tempted to list them separately and mention each auction in the other....some people are either purse collectors or pattern collectors...

Do a search on the Hemmons Hiatt book and also click on completed auctions and you'll see why I say GRAB IT.

Lyd

I hope someday to be half as wonderful as my cat thinks I am

[pukmis]

OMG...I don't even want to think back to recall passing up
on that book...when I am looking I try to think of shipping costs
if by chance I sell it so have passed on many 'books'!!!
Yeppers BIG $$$ alright!!!

The purse is made around the time of this pattern or shortly after??? Note same handles...








...and if ya are looking to be totally chic , there is a matching hat pattern!

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[jazznut2]

Oh my goodness Annie - the handles are a perfect match so just look at the pattern under materials and it should say what the handles are made of - for your description - probably lucite - may be bakelite and if they are and they seem to be an apple juice color which is highly sought after - if the colors on my monitor are right...they are very collectible.

Make sure you post the picture of the pattern and purse together when you list the purse, mention the pattern book is in a separate auction and also contains a matching hat pattern for the purse...and really play up the handles....they are so ornate - I LOVE THEM !!

That book is almost 600 pages and we may have thought twice about picking it up because of the shipping but I knew the value of it years ago so would pick it up no matter what the cost or weight. That's why I want others to know these things - it's hard enough to make a profit on eBay with high shipping and fees lately - a find like that would make things even out financially a tad for any of us.

Lyd

[pukmis]

Hey Lyd...I checked the pattern and under the materials it just says
5 tubes "Raphael Barand" Gimp , Lining , one 7" frame...
the handle doesn't have that bakelite smell to it...so maybe
itis lucite? Itis fairly light in weight...
Thanks for all of your GREAT info! Now I will have to start going
through what I have stashed!!!

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[weaversofspeech]

snipe

see its a pattern wif me

weavers

---

THINK! Think Wonder and Think... There are so many THINKS that a THINKER can THINK!... Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the Thinks you can think up only if you try....Dr Seuss

[weaversofspeech]

sanks u

BIG BOWS

---

THINK! Think Wonder and Think... There are so many THINKS that a THINKER can THINK!... Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the Thinks you can think up only if you try....Dr Seuss

[jazznut2]

You are SEW bad young man - and it's definitely a PATTERN wif you.

:o)

Annie I'd say Lucite too - and if the maker held to the pattern materials then she used gimp which almost looks like a non stretchy elastic cord, not yarn...I hope it sells for a bundle - use vintage retro and 1930's or 1940's depending on the what the pattern says, in your title and throughout the description....that will help draw in the collectors.

[pukmis]

Oh Mr Weavers...you are such a cut up!!! Your shear brilliance
astounds me every so often!!!
Rarely are you without a purl of wisdom!!!

Thanks again for all lyour help Lyd...I'm gonna try to get them up Thurs or Friday...

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[nanamarnie]

Thanks for the welcome Maureen...and I have a question.



PLEASE HELP.


I just sold a gorgeous Christening Gown pattern. It is brand new....Item #220015153876 for anyone who wants to look... The buyer has already paid for this pattern and already is complaining that she didn't know that it was for a PATTERN ONLY. She said that I should have included the word pattern in the title for the listing.


There just wasn't quite enough room to include everything in the listing title, so as per usual, I included all the rest of the information about the item in the description area of the listing using the word pattern numerous times.


I think she is hinting at a refund here and I don't want to give her one. I started the listing at $13.95 and she bought it for $30.75. Shortly after she paid for the item, I received an email wanting to know if this listing was for the pattern only stating that if so she would never have paid so much for something that she would never have used.


I have 100% feedback now and don't want to lose that, but this is absolutely ridiculous. How many buyers purchase something, pay for it and immediately complain that it isn't what they thought that it was? Can she file a complain stating that it isn't what was discribed in the listing if it isn't included in the title?

This is totally nuts. I can't believe that she is even complaining about this. I included everything in my listing and apparently she didn't read it.


What am I supposed to do with this lady? Should I give her a refund just to keep my rating? Should I hold her to her purchase? What do I do with this one??????


PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ONE.......


Thanks for any help.


Marnie


Oh yeah, I already left her great feedback because of the speedy payment which I do with all my buyers who make fast payments, as a courtesy. About 10 minutes after I left the feedback, I received this complaint.

[nammaladybug]

Hi Marnie: I don't have an answer to your dilemma, but wanted you to know that I checked all your listings 2 days ago. This one in particular I remember without looking up the item # as I have one similar to list. (when I get around to that!)

With the few where you didn't state PATTERN in the title, it was very obvious to me that these were definitely patterns, especially by the picture of the envelopes!! No idea how a buyer could miss that!

Unfortunately with this listing, you used a real model in the picture. (Grandbaby maybe? Beautiful, I might add!) Yes, it was clear if she read on that it was a pattern, including sketches of the pieces included, and a variety of sizes!!

To give her the benefit of the doubt (which isn't warranted) maybe this was your only listing she looked at, and thought because of the really beautiful picture that it was an actual outfit. Suppose she bid near the end of the auction and didn't take time to read but really wanted the dress? (surely she checked out the size??)

To keep your fine name, and if it was me, (I'm the one with no experience!), I would mutually agree to cancel the transaction, refund her money and hope she left me fair feedback!!

I just checked your completed listing, and her feedback! She has over 1400 positive feedback and only 5 negatives and looks like all her feedback is from sellers! Good stuff, but check out page 36 of her feedbacks to see how she may respond to you if you don't make her feel good!

Does anyone agree with me here? I am anxious to know if I'm on the right track!

I too await a response to your problem Marnie, from some of our "top dogs" out there. Where are you everyone??

Best of luck,
Lorna

[nanamarnie]

Thanks Lorna,


I tend to agree with you here. I definately don't want to jeopardize my feedback rating at this point. I work very hard to make my buyers happy and absolutely refuse to let this one be the downer.


For someone with such a high feedback - what was she thinking? or perhaps she wasn't thinking at all...


I have offered this item as a second chance offer and it was accepted and paid for. I have decided to refund the original buyer her money and send the pattern to the runner up... I just don't feel that it is worth my reputation as a seller, to hold her to this purchase. Also, if I refund her for this pattern, I just might come out of it with some very good feedback.


I would still like to hear from everyone else out there. I really want to know what the rest of you would have done in this situation????? thanks for your help - Marnie

[pukmis]

Hey Marnie...I looked at your auction and at first I thought oh
nice gown...but...though pattern wasn't listed in the title...
it was listed in patterns and you did say 'pattern' several times
throughout the listing!
I think you buyer has become complacent with her reading of auctions...
therefore made an honest mistake...
When it happens to me I usually suck it up and slap myself for not
reading the guts of the auction! haha
In my opinion I think you avoided alot of headaches by simply letting her
off the hook and offering it to the next bidder!
I figure as long as I can make everyone happy and make a profit the
sale was a good one!!!
Glad your problem worked out!!!
Good luck with your future auctions!

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[pukmis]

Oh Lorna...sorry for ignoring your post! I am not one of
those top dogs you mentioned I leave that title for others...
Yes I agreed with your answer...though I don't focus too much on how
much feedback in numbers the person has , I look at their
negs and do my
primary opinion of the buyer by their emails!
Don't let feedback (as in high no.'s) intimidate you...a person that
buys a lot doesn't make them always right!
Enjoy your day!!!

My face is a mask I order to say nothing...
about the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore

[reallynicestamps]

I have lucked into a run of unused Sz 14 Vogue American Designer patterns -- different garage sales--but all of them neglected to pick up the labels when they bought the patterns. All 1980s and all unused.

There seems to be added interest since I noted that these midi skirted dresses were suitable for women who prefer to "cover"-- Muslim, Orthodox Jews and some radical Christian cults. Just so you know. ( search "hijab")

But I wonder if there is interest in the used patterns that I also found and what sort of starting price I should use. Since I tend to put these directly into my store I wonder whether grouping them by size is useful. What is the highest price that women will pay for a cut pattern, even Christian Dior?