Peter over at Male Pattern Boldness recently posted about the cost and value of vintage patterns. It's a really interesting read, and the comments are also very thought provoking. Of course, I had to chime in with my two ten cents. Enjoy some eye candy whilst I opine.
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| 1975 McCall's 4494 |
I have only been in the sewing world for a year or so, so I am certainly no expert on vintage patterns or their true values. But from my personal experience, some sellers seem to push the envelope (ha) as to how much cash they are owed in exchange for their pattern. I get that some are very rare, and that condition is a major factor. But since there is no formal set of guidelines for pricing these patterns (is there?), where do sellers get their figures? For example, one pattern I'm currently coveting on eBay has the Buy It Now price of $47.61. Really? It's not necessarily the steep 40 dollarness of it; it's the odd figure. Where does that amount - that ultra specific amount - come from? Plus, if I had $47.61 to spend on a single pattern, do you have any. idea. how much more fabric I would have?! Cripes.
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| Butterick 4631 (No date that I could find. Early 80's?) |
I don't mean any disrespect to vintage pattern sellers, I truly don't. We can all choose where and how we spend - and make - our money. And like I said, I don't speak from a place of expertise. On the other side of the coin, I sometimes wonder if the people from whom I've bought my el cheapo patterns knew what they were selling, and that they possibly could've gotten more for them. Did they not know the pattern had value (above .99¢), or did they just know they weren't going to make the rent by selling it?
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| 1977 Simplicity 8041 |
((*UPDATE - See the above pattern sewn up HERE!*))
There are people who sell these vintage patterns on the cheap and there are people who do not. I intend to sew with them, not have them matted and framed, so I will continue to seek out the affordable patterns. They are plentiful. Admittedly though, a few of the pricey ones do haunt my dreams.
There are people who sell these vintage patterns on the cheap and there are people who do not. I intend to sew with them, not have them matted and framed, so I will continue to seek out the affordable patterns. They are plentiful. Admittedly though, a few of the pricey ones do haunt my dreams.
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| 1980 McCalls 6944 |
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| 1945 Simplicity 1338 (I die.) |
((*UPDATE - See the above pattern sewn up HERE!*))
Every pattern pictured above was 3 bucks or in most cases, less. I'm not a completely cheap bastard though. I would probably spend up to $15 if I just haaaad to have a pattern.
So what do yall think? Do you buy and sew with Vintage patterns? If you do, how much are you willing to spend on those bad boys?
Love to hear your thoughts!
Cheers!
Every pattern pictured above was 3 bucks or in most cases, less. I'm not a completely cheap bastard though. I would probably spend up to $15 if I just haaaad to have a pattern.
So what do yall think? Do you buy and sew with Vintage patterns? If you do, how much are you willing to spend on those bad boys?
Love to hear your thoughts!
Cheers!
