The value of vintage patterns.

I have been doing a lot of ‘searching’ on Etsy lately. An act not motivated by shopping, but by the desire to learn more about vintage styles throughout the decades. And I think sewing patterns really are a good place to start this sort of 'through the decades' research.

When vintage sewing patterns were first printed, they were current for the era. The older pattern envelopes feature illustrations by artists - impressions of the finished garments. The artists interpreted not only the silhouette of the pattern, but also what the fabric colour or print might be if made at that time. The artists also included the hairstyle fashions current to the era on their garment models. Vintage patterns therefore provide great insight for the would-be vintage sewer who not only wants to sew with a vintage pattern, but emulate an outfit that would have passed as fashionable for the time.

Through my ‘research’ however, I have been struck by the significant differences in the pricing of vintage patterns. I can understand a bit of a difference in price due to the condition of the pattern pieces/envelope, but it appeared to stretch further than this. I began to ask myself “how is the value of a vintage pattern calculated by sellers?”

It seems to me that a lot of factors come into play when deciding on the value of a vintage pattern. From my searching I can conclude there are many factors that are considered before a vintage pattern is priced, which I have written about on my blog. Do you think I have missed any factors out?

Where do you shop for vintage patterns?

Sam xox

Psst. On a side note - all the patterns pictured in this post are available from Etsy seller Savage Spider. Please be clear that I am in no way affiliated with Savage Spider, I only came across their pattern collection during my 'research' and was impressed with their variety of patterns and their reasonable prices.

Retro Inspired Fascinators

Newly listed in my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail, are these two handmade feather fascinators! A great compliment to your retro look!

Vintage Necktie Purse

In my spare time I when I'm not processing orders for my company: 

I  altered a graduation robe for my son for Halloween.  He wants to be Darth Sidious- add a hood to a graduation robe - one Sith costume to go :) 

For the holiday fair for my son's school I am sewing purses from vintage ties. 

Outside view of the purse

Inside view 

I have to make about 25 of them for the fair.  They are pretty quick to make. (about an hour). I got the ties from tag sales over the summer and added vintage buttons.   I have a giant box of ties sorted by color.  The challenge is come up with something that isn't completely hideous, and that a pre-teen might like.  It uses half of a tie for the purse.  I use one of the spare tie halves for the shoulder strap.  I think it looks cute with jeans!

To make this purse you need a minimum of 3 ties.  I either use the narrow end pieces from other ties, or the narrow ends of the tie to fill make it a little wider.  One half tie is used for the shoulder strap. I use a wide zig zag stitch to join them and slightly overlap them when I'm sewing them.  You can sew them with invisible thread or a complementary thread color.

Vintage ties tend to sell for $.50 - $2 depending on what your thrift store wants to sell them for.  I bought a GIANT box lot of them on ebay for this project.  Better yet, ask your Dad, Husband, and Grandpa for their old ties.  

I'm created an etsy page to sell them.