Pattern collectors?

[Former_Member]

Are there really people out there who "collect" patterns, but don't sew with them? As a sewing enthusiast for most of my life, I can't seem to wrap my brain around the concept. What do such collectors do with the patterns? Are they framed and displayed?

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I have recently unearthed a gazillion of my hoarding mother's patterns - from the 50s thru 2004 when she quit sewing due to alzheimer's disease. Most of the older patterns look.......old with tears in the envelops and discolored due to age. Would a collector be interested in these? Also, there are several children's patterns from the 60s. (she used to make my clothes when I was little) Is there a market for these?

I would rather not waste time counting pieces and listing if there is no market, so I appreciate any info.

Thanks

[RetroSewCo]

I am SO not an authority; but it seems true that Etsy pattern sellers like on this team meticulously check patterns and ARE experts; whereas on the 'bay you sort of take chances when you buy and those sellers usually admit they are not experts. If I were you I would research every one of them on the Pattern Wiki...some of them may be VERY valuable and worth checking through.
I also don't understand the collector mentality, so I'd love hearing any insights on that phenom....

[patternshop]

Some of them collect just the artwork from the envelopes as well:) I've sold many, many patterns, where the buyer told me to keep the pattern, all they want is the envelope.

[patternshop]

Yes, collectors are interested in those patterns!

I check each pattern very meticulously and note the flaws. If there is a piece missing such as a facing, a guide, belt, etc., pieces that easy to replicate for an experienced sewer, just note it in the listing and price it accordingly.

The one thing I do despise is tape on a pattern piece, but I have figured out how to get it off, it just takes a lot of time and patience so as not to tear the piece trying to get the stickiness off, sometimes it has taken me days to get off, but eventually I do:)

[Former_Member]

Thanks guys. If I have one positive thing to say about my mother and her hoard of patterns is that she was meticulous in keeping them together. Either all of the pieces are there, or none (because they are probably pinned to fabric and cut out. The older patterns have been stored in her garage for the past 40 years and the envelopes really show their age. I'm guessing the "collectors" would not be interested in most of these, but there are some uber glam styles from Advance that make me wish I was born in a different era!

Thanks everyone for your input.

[ThePatternSource]

Squarepeg78 not so fast! No matter how yellow or ripped there is a buyer for everything! As long as you give an honest assessment of the condition most old patterns will sell...and for a nice price if they are from the 60's or older. Just suppose you are a collector or a vintage clothing diva and you have been searching for a particular pattern forever and a day...you're gonna get it even if there may be some flaws. If you are buying it to sew the garment that customer really cares more about the "pattern tissue" condition than the envelope. Pattern collectors care more about the gorgeous envelope artwork and the better the condition the more money the pattern can bring in. However, I have sold several patterns with tattered and yellowed envelopes for more than $20.00 each depending on scarcity. So please do not throw away old patterns ever no matter what condition they are in. Bag them and preserve them for the future or sell them to someone who has a love for preserving them.

[Former_Member]

Okay, you've convinced me! Now I have another (kind of) related question. As I have been trying to research these patterns and their prices, quite frequently I find "sold" listings here on Etsy, but the price isn't listed. Why not? It would really be helpful in determining prices if I could see what similar item previously sold for,

To be, Ebay is not a good barometer because all it takes is a bidding war to seriously inflate the price.

So far, my pricing strategy goes something like this: If I just want it gone, I price really low. If I kind of like it, a little higher, and if I really like it (and want to keep it), I'll price on the high side.

Pretty scientific, heh?

[RetroSewCo]

Hey, that sounds alot like my scientific pricing method!
I would personally prefer buying from Etsy sellers because they are professionals, but I'm not above an eBay impulse buy/tussle for a really cool pattern =-) There is almost always someone bidding who wants it more than me, or so it seems. Some of us might be be very interested to pounce on whatever you choose to list, squarepeg! I adore Advance patterns!

[RoadHomeQuilting]

Just list them "as is" so collectors know you haven't inventoried the contents. Even if they plan to sew with them and there is a piece or two missing, they should be a good enough sewer to to reconstruct a missing piece from the directions.
But I bet most are collecting for the art/style and never actually use them, so go for it!

[Former_Member]

Collectors frequently look for more than one of a particular pattern. One w/missing pieces & one w/a missing instruction sheet might individually be worth little, but when combined make a valuable product. The Pattern Rescue site can help w/this. If you really don't want to keep them, consider donating them there.

[Former_Member]

I am a collector, but also use patterns with missing pieces. This pattern I purchased a while ago is to die for!
http://eleenfashionista.blogspot.com/2011/05/butterick-9635-in-my-sweet-possession.html

Now I did get his pattern whole, but if the skirt was missing I would have purchased the pattern for just the bodice.

I have some rare patterns in my collection that I just preserve for history. I may someday donate them to a local historical society. A lot I do use though.

[Former_Member]

Most people who use truly old vintage patterns will trace them before using anyway -- so if there's wear, it's not much of a problem (as long as you're up front.)

Be honest about what pieces are missing -- it's easy to recreate a missing facing or skirt piece, harder to draft a really unique collar!

The Vintage Pattern Wiki is also a great resource for researching which vintage patterns are pretty common and which are rare -- sometimes people even post that they are looking for certain patterns. http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page?cb=9651

Good luck!