Mccalls butterick simplicity ==> do you detect a pattern here?

I remember as a kid, mom would use a standing mannequin in her sewing room for making “tent dresses” and had a special shelf-wall with all these different sewing patterns tucked into a slot, ecc….

I now see ALOT of these different (old) name brand patterns at guild thrift shops priced anywhere from 0.50cents, $5.00 and higher….

  • Why would anyone collect such an item?
  • Aren’t they already worn out from usage that the tissue pattern paper might be wrinkle with creases?
  • Are they valuable by date?
  • And how do they differ from the current patterns that are out nowadays?

A stimulating SO SEW question willing to absorb information….

asked about 14 years ago

MONTROSE
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7 Answers

All of the above answers I believe are appropriate…as far as the tissue paper being worn, many seamstresses, like myself often iron out the wrinkles, and then create a duplicate of the parts and portions of a specific pattern I want or need for self or others…as far as how they are valued, that always depends upon the buyer, the exception being those type of patterns that might be from a specific artist like when Vogue did or does have a Famous Designer like their Edith Head patterns or Oleg Cassini. Perhaps one’s looking for a pattern like American Greeting’s original Holly Hobbie doll and dress pattern that one might specifically collect to create what was ’’in’’ then, and might even be more ‘’in vogue’’ now! Reasons vary as widely as the patterns, themselves, for example patterns that include appliques you just cannot get anymore…or those older Barbie Doll Clothes patterns, or perhaps Cabbage Patch Kids patterns for doll enthusiasts! Patterns for Crafts such as stuffed animals, quilts, Holiday ornaments, and the like are also popular to collect from times gone by for the person buying such might realize ’’There’s no way I’d ever be able to find something like this, anymore!‘’ anyway that’s how a customer of mine might have thought when she bought my ‘’Old Lady, Children Dolls and the Shoe’’ Pattern she bought from me awhile back!
Designs, Styles, Crafts, Home Decor, Costumes and Designers, etc., come and go in the pattern world…and Patterns that are older, vintage and even antique ~ Well I believe that each and every one has someone ’’’out there’’’ who’s willing to buy their own favorite for reasons of their own!

answered about 14 years ago

Some people like to buy OLD patterns because they like the Style better than what is being offered by the pattern makers today.

They also have a favorite pattern, they use all the time and need a replacement just in case they loose a piece. I’ve had this told me by a buyer who was buying a costume pattern from me, his livelihood is the stage and the pattern I had was one of his regular patterns that he created his stage outfits with.

Experienced seamstress will also combine patterns to create the perfect outfit they are currently designing.

As far as the pattern paper itself aging – I really think it is pretty hardy stuff, it’s the envelope for the pattern that wears out before the pattern!

Kim ![URL removed]

answered about 14 years ago

some collect them

some, like me use them to make authentic looking vintage clothes for plays

answered about 14 years ago

pugs
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My son-in-law is in the movie making business and sometimes they have to buy the patterns to make clothing from the past to match the year of their movie.

answered about 14 years ago

My daughter is totally retro and only 17. She sews and I often find her spending more time looking at vintage patterns than current ones. And what Pugs and Seller said, too.

answered about 14 years ago

So many people like to make and wear the older styles, I shop at a store in Sonora, where I buy alot of my soap making supplies, and all the women that work there wear the old style dresses, like alot of the Amish people do. Actually alot of the shops on the main strip in Sonora the women wear those dresses. I think its pretty neat, not something I would wear for sure, but I can definately see that they might be a good selling item, as long as they are in good shape.

answered about 14 years ago

We were having dinner tonight (spinach lasagna at moms) and I casually mentioned the tent-dress patterns topic and she did infact confirm by saying that she’d “iron out the wrinkles to duplicate a specific pattern needed” which I found interesting to read from ==> (divinefabricsnmore)…

THANKS everyone. You’re the BeST!

answered about 14 years ago

MONTROSE
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Asked: about 14 years ago

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