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

[msmaggie060]

Thanks Lyd! Its so good of you to give all of this help.

[nanamarnie]

Hi,
I just wanted to say Hi. I'm new to all of this ebay stuff even though I've been in the retail business for ever 10 years now.
I've become addicted to this computer since I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a little over a year ago now.
A very dear sweet friend of mine introduced me to ebay a few months ago, and I'm hooked on it now to. I've decided to sell some of my old patterns and hopefully be able to make a little money at the same time. It sure would help here.
I'm writing an ebook right now about wholesalers, dropshippers and the retail business for Canadians. How to get started, where to find good reliable suppliers and what to look out for. It keeps me busy.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello....
Hello and Thank you to everyone for al your wonderful information and also for being so kind in sharing it with those of us. C:\Documents and Settings\Marnie\My Documents\My Pictures\Signatures\NanaMarnie Siggie.GIF

[nanamarnie]

Testing

[nanamarnie]

It WORKED !!!!!!!!:

Sorry, I was just testing to see if the siggie I made worked or not...
It did. I'm a little overwhelmed right now.
WOW

WOW

WOW

Sorry. I got a little carried away...

[nanamarnie]

Sorry, just one more test.

[nanamarnie]

OK, that one didn't work right.
OOP's
It was supposed to be animated, oh well.

[mybearsnme]

WOW- what a great thread - and now I know what 'bump' means too! Usually I just read the odd threads, but don't post - this has been one of the most useful ones I've seen - thanks for starting it!

- I have few quesiotns in case anyone is listening 🙂

- Anyone have any ideas on any trends right now?

- The best time to list ? this one has me stumped...

- Anyone use turbolister tool on ebay? I'm thinking of trying it out...

- any knitters out there? I need some help ID'ing some knitting needles - they look like Boyd but don't have the name Boyd on the metal top - anyone else make needles that look like Boyds?

thanks for any help!
Helen

[jazznut2]

Hi Helen - sorry for not answering sooner but I figured people had lost intrest in this thread so I haven't checked back all that often....and thanks for the kind words...much appreciated.

- Anyone have any ideas on any trends right now?
Fashion trends for patterns?? perhaps costume patterns sold in lots of 2 or 3 with similar sizes....ponchos and shawls though not as hot as they once were still attract bidders depending on the pattern...vintage patterns from 60's/70's if you use RETRO or BOHO (meaning Bohemian or hippy style) in the title, are still getting bids from what I've seen

- The best time to list ? this one has me stumped...
There's no BEST time as far as I'm concerned (tho' many have their preferences and their reasons why) but I tend to list on Mondays or Wednesdays for a 7 day period...this allows for any time period (Eastern, Pacific etc.) or work schedule since people can check auctions and bid whenever they find it.

- Anyone use turbolister tool on ebay? I'm thinking of trying it out...
I know many who use TL and like it, when it doesn't have glitchy problems but personally I've never used any of them and prefer not to...

- any knitters out there? I need some help ID'ing some knitting needles - they look like Boyd but don't have the name Boyd on the metal top - anyone else make needles that look like Boyds?
You mean BOYE needles?? Can you add a picture of the needles or the tops? I do have some with only the size on the metal end cap and no maker's name but as long as you have a good picture and describe the unnamed ones, collectors will find them.

Bye for now
Lyd

[reallynicestamps]

For what it's worth, cheaper and lighter than a plastic bag is generic food wrap (think--saran wrap). You can make a neat tight seal and it is very cheap.

I'm basically using this name as a posting and buying ID and to experiment with HTML and new products in listings. (In the real world I sell books).

The trade name for the single faced corrugated roll is "B-flute" and it is also available as a self stick product. Wonderful stuff.

And just a warning-- if you think a postie might try to bend and shove your package through a tiny letterslot - add a stiffener like B-flute, corplast (corrugated plastic) or heavy cardboard. Even more important when going to an apartment address!

[pukmis]

Hey Ms Jazznut...nice to see your words!!!
Yeppers I was peekin' in to see if you had done your
what's hot what's not list for this year!!!
Great to see shawls and poncho's are still in even though
not as hot as they were...
Hope all is well with the family...now off to dig through
the mega pile of pattern books I have accumulated over the year!!!
Thanks for sharing some of your vast knowledge!!!

Death is certain...
Life is not...

[nammaladybug]

WOW What a great discussion here! Thank you everyone for the super information!! Very timely, as I'm just getting ready to sell, and had questions on patterns I want to list. Found all of my answers right here!

As well now, I just need to find the time to go through over 200 magazines I almost gave away!

Thank you Lydia for sharing your poem on your ME page!

Lorna:-x

[pukmis]

...movin' on up!!!

You can never rise above the image that you have
of yourself
in your own mind.

[craftycatsattic]

Wow. You guys are still going here! Hiya Lydia! I'm very soon going to slow down on listing for the summer and will have to get caught up on the thread...and perhaps actually get to do some crocheting?

So tired...must get to bed or I'm just going to babble...'night!

[jazznut2]

Just popped to see if anyone had any questions - NOPE?? Good cuz I'm too tired tonight to answer 'em.

BTW if anyone checks out my Review Guide for vintage patterns please let me know if there's anything you'd like to see mentioned/updated/added etc...

Howdy Annie Banannie - been crocheting alot lately - designing clothes and accessories for dollhouse miniatures - and selling some...I plan on decorating my yard sale dollhouse find when I get it restored.

Back in a few days.

Lyd

[jazznut2]

Just wondering - the last time I looked in here we were at 141 posts and now there's only 133....so 8 posts have been deleted presumably by whoever posted them because I doubt there's been any violation requiring eBay to yank 'em.

[bookbin.etc]

Lydia

I just found this thread and read it top to bottom.

Great info, thanks!

I'll go to read your guides when I get some time.

Brenda

[msmaggie060]

Hi Lydia, thanks for all this info. about patterns. This is the pattern thread with the most and best info. I think.

I'm still selling patterns, but I have found that everything has slowed down for the summer, so I've switched to listing some other items that I have for sale. Also, found that I am better off not listing on the 10 cent days, just too many items for sale. I have found that I'm getting more repeat buyers now so that's a plus. I'm thinking of selling some of my vintage linens soon too. I think they may sell well during the summer months.

[vintagemodo]

Hi Lyd...Hi all

I thought it was about time I got back in the loop, and bumped up this thread. Lyd has put waaaaaaaay too much into it, and it contains so many interesting tips and information. It would be ashame to see it fall off the edge, into the eBay "cyber-bin"...;-)

I see that we are about to get a new Craft/Hobby Discussion Board, as announced in this post by Vaughan.
http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jspa?threadID=500009306&tstart=0&mod=1151601231545

Now we crocheters/knitters/pattern sellers/collectors will have another place to go and discuss our passion. I think the Home and Garden Discussion Board will be fun and interesting too.

[jazznut2]

Maureen - thanks for letting me know we have a crafts board - just posted there. And I appreciate your kind words about this thread. I hope it has helped a few buyers and sellers and will try and answer any questions when I see them. Anyone can click on Contact a Member if they need any help, just in case I don't get back that often.

Hope you are feeling better as each day passes Maureen. I always enjoy reading your posts.

Mini Hugs
Lyd

[vintagemodo]

Thanks Lyd.

I'm beginning to feel like my old self again. Just got to work on increasing stamina, but I'm feeling great..:-D

Glad you have found the new craft board. It's good to see you back on the boards, so maybe we can "see" more of you now that we crafters have an interesting place to gather and chat.