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

[intaggar]

Lyd,

I sent an email re both advertised Lux books. Hopefully someone will have the WWII dolls. Thanks for your help!
Nancy

[pukmis]

[jazznut2]

Up, up, up with pup

[jazznut2]

Bump so we don't get "bumped off"

If anyone has anything to ask or add here - please feel free.

[o*pillar]

I thought this was an achored thread Lyd?

It should be if not. :-D

A friend is someone who can sing the song in your heart, when you forget the words.

[jazznut2]

Nope Debs - the only anchor attached to me is my rather heavily ballasted backside 🐵

I think you have to promise your firstborn or know someone who knows someone who.... if you want to be anchored. We just try and keep it bumped now and then because it was cut at least once and it took so much extra time and effort to recreate it for those who wanted the information.

[vintagemodo]

Just bumping this very important thread.....I have learned a lot from Lyd's wise information, and from all other input.....

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable and creative weekend.....

Maureen

[carolyn3621]

Hi, Just wanted to let the vintage sewers know that I have listed afew patterns one is from 1949. Also one is vintage aprons. If anyone wants vintage knitting books I can put them up as well.Carolyn3621

[snowmeadow]

I found Lyd's notes on pattern selling last night and wow. It is so nice to have someone share their knowledge with us.

One thing I found regarding shipping and Canada Post. If you are mailing out one sewing pattern I place it in a brown envelope (sandwiched between light cardboard) and I tell them at the post office it contains papers. The rate to US from where I live is usually about $1.70 and there is no custom form to fill out. Consequently the pattern will arrive at it's destination usually within 3 business days. If you don't tell them it is papers then they charge you the book rate or small packet rate and you have the customs forms etc.

[jazznut2]

😮

[vintagemodo]

It's time for a BUMP, so I have a question.

Which craft stores are most likely to sell the old fashioned wooden clothes pegs/pins....the ones used to make "dollies"?

I'm just beginning to organize my thoughts around to beginning some items to have ready for my Christmas shows, in November. All though I can only do two of them this year, because I'll be moving at the end of November.

[jazznut2]

Hi Maureen - sorry I wasn't by yesterday when you posted this question.

I know that Lewiscraft, Wal Mart and I think Michael's as well, sell something called Doll Pins if that's what you mean...you also need to buy a package of the wooden stands to insert the peg "feet" into to make them stand - and I always used wooden beads as well that I glued to the top of the pin for the head.

Hope that helps a tad.

{{HUGS}}

Lyd

[vintagemodo]

(((((HUGS))))) back to you Lyd.

I never thought about looking in Wal*Mart. We do have a Lewiscraft too, in Peterborough, but not a Michaels. Anyway I'll look into these two possibilities.

These pegs were used in the "olden days" by our Mother's to hang the washing on the line, but now they seem to be used strictly as craft items.

I love your idea about looking for the stands to present the finished "dollie", however, I'm a little confused with your suggestion that you glue on beads, (for heads.....the pegs I'm thinking of, already come with a rounded head, and then a shaft, that splits into two in the lower half. Are we thinking of the same thing? ?:|

Lyd, you always come through for me, and I truly appreciate you counsel :-x

[jazznut2]

Hi Maureen - yup they are the old fashioned pegs but the tops are not big or round enough to be a head but are the right size to be a neck and then a round wooden ball (some are plain others are pink with faces already painted on them) is securely glued to the neck....doll "legs" are placed in the stands and then I would sometimes wind chenille pipe cleaner around the neck and create arms...you can find little straw hats to fit the wooden heads or you can add Spanish Moss for hair....stuff like that.

Scanned a pic of my pegs and a stand so you can see what I mean about needing a head.

[vintagemodo]

Lyd...I should add that I have saved the picture to my computer, in case you want to delete it from your image host.

[vintagemodo]

Hi Lyd (again.....LOL)

I had a look in Wal*Mart today, and they do sell these clothes pins....but I was envisioning the larger pegs that my mother used to use (way back when), to hang clothes on the line, and was surprised to see how small these where. They were marked as size 3 3/4" (9.5cm). It's difficult to tell from your picture if these are the pegs that fit into this size category.....do you have any answers? :-)

[jazznut2]

Hi again Maureen 🐵

My pegs are 3 3/4 inches but using the part on the top as a neck and adding a wooden bead for a head, some moss or such for hair and then the doll stand they would stand about 4 1/2 inches tall.

The old fashioned kind with larger tops might be found on eBay - have you tried a search? I'll check too and if I find something I'll email you with a heads up.

Hope the humidity is wearing you down too badly

HUGS
Lyd

[vintagemodo]

Time for a BUMP so I'll ask a question....

At one time, crochet/knit patterns were good items for me to sell, and I could usually rely on a fair number of sales. However, lately, I just can't seem to give them away...LOL.

I know a lot depends on what kinds of patterns we list, but could poor sales relate to the fact that it's summer time? Just wondering....Any good ideas out there? :-x

[hmbeetle]

what an amazing selection of info!!! thanks to everyone who has been posting on this...
a quick question not at all related to the topic...

what the heck is bumping? and when and why do you do it?

[jazznut2]

Hi Maureen -

To be honest I think true crafters whether knitters, crocheters, sewers etc...buy patterns when they see them and it has nothing to do with the season...if a pattern is seasonal most will buy them well ahead of the season so they'll have time to make them.

The truth is, at least the way I've found it lately, most people are tightening their budget a little and they need value for the money spent, especially if patterns are used - and considering they are also paying shipping.

I like to make a lot of more than one related item and try and make use of the weight maximum for a postage rate and if a pattern book will tip the scales at a few grams over and I know I have to charge the next rate, I add something extra to make it worth their while.

However when the next hot trend arrives (ponchos and shawls are still "quite warm" depending on the buyers but not as hot as at the start) there will be a clamor for those patterns and whoever gets in at the start in offering them will make more than they would if they waited a few months and then jumped on the bandwagon.

Hope that helps a tad.

HUGS
Lyd