Sewing Patterns

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About Vintage Sewing Patterns

Sewing patterns gained commercial success in the late 1800s after Ebeneezer Butterick invented the graded sewing pattern, in response to his wife's wish that patterns could come in different sizes. Another boost came with the advent of fashion magazines, which included patterns for current styles that readers could make them themselves. Most vintage sewing (e.g. dress or apron) patterns are paper or cardboard, so an older vintage pattern in good condition is a rare find.


Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack

I work for a sewing machine distribution company that was started by my late father. We mainly distribute ind… [more]

An Interview With Antique Sewing Thimble Collector Sue Gowan

My husband, Mike, used to buy me pieces of china. One day he bought me a Jasperware blue Wedgwood thimble and… [more]

An Interview on Vintage Fashion, Sewing, and Aprons with Author Amy Karol

I think I started collecting vintage aprons seriously probably in 1991, my first year of college. I was an ab… [more]

Guest Column: Collecting Vintage Sewing Patterns

Paper sewing patterns were first manufactured in the middle of the 1800s. These first paper patterns were des… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

The NeedleBar

The NeedleBar

A rich site showcasing the passion of a group of antique sewing machine collectors from around the globe. Features … [read review or visit site]

Sewing Machine Collector

Sewing Machine Collector

Geoff and Norma Dickens' reference site on vintage toy sewing machines from the late 1800s. Browse the images alpha… [read review or visit site]

Vintage Patterns

Vintage Patterns

Looking for some vintage patterns or style ideas? This Flickr photo pool, a group effort, showcases a huge collecti… [read review or visit site]

Thimbleselect of Australia

Thimbleselect of Australia

Sue Gowan's impressive thimbles reference database. Using the left-side navigation, choose 'Learn More About' and s… [read review or visit site]

Sensibility Vintage Images

Sensibility Vintage Images

An extensive collection of photos and ephemera illustrating changing fashion styles from 1795 to 1959. Includes por… [read review or visit site]


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4 Very Vintage Womens Sewing Patterns Dresses 1930's +$63.00 Ends in 23 hours 12 bids 28 watchers
Lutterloh System 280 Patterns & Tool Kit 1974-1980$61.00 Ends in 22 hours 17 bids 23 watchers
1928 High Fashion Decolletage Evening Gown Pattern 37 B$58.38 Ends in 20 hours 4 bids 9 watchers
300 Pg Dressmaking~sewing Book~pattern Drafting Vtg 60s$46.00 Ends Thursday 11 bids 8 watchers
Pattern Book I46 Handmade Dolls Tomoyuki Kikuchi Rare$42.99 Ends in 4 hours 1 bid 2 watchers
Lot Of 78+ Vintage Sewing Patterns Ladies Girls Mens $41.00 Ends in 14 hours 4 bids 14 watchers
Vintage 30's Evening Gown Pattern Copy$36.00 Ends in 23 hours 9 bids 18 watchers
Lutterloh System International Pattern Drafting$36.00 Ends Sunday 7 bids 21 watchers
Vogue Vintage Paris Original Givenchy Coat 12$29.88 Ends Sunday 4 bids 5 watchers
Vintage 1950s Vogue Suit Pattern Paris Original Desses$27.00 Ends Thursday 2 bids 9 watchers
Large Lot 60+ Vintage Sewing Dress Patterns 1930s-50s$26.59 Ends Tuesday 5 bids 32 watchers
Vintage 1952 Vogue Paris Original Desses Suit Pattern$25.00 Ends in 22 hours 1 bid 15 watchers
1928 High Fashion Draped Afternoon Frock Pattern 34 B$24.99 Ends in 19 hours 1 bid 6 watchers
1928 High Fashion Fancy Draped Frock Pattern Size 33 B$24.99 Ends in 20 hours 1 bid 3 watchers
Stunning Victorian Dress With Bustle Or Train Pattern$24.49 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 6 watchers
Sterling Silver Simons Sewing Thimble - Grape Pattern$24.01 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 14 watchers
1920s Simplicity Dress Pattern #1090 Size 42$22.51 Ends in 16 hours 6 bids 19 watchers
Vintage Vogue Couturier Design Dress Pattern$21.50 Ends in 21 hours 2 bids 22 watchers
1930s Mccall Dress Pattern - Lovely Details - Raglan$21.49 Ends in 12 hours 4 bids 8 watchers
Vintage Vogue Retro 1934 Evening Gown Pattern$20.50 Ends in 21 hours 5 bids 9 watchers
Vtg Lot 39 Vogue Sewing Pattern Dress Various Sizes Cut$20.50 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 8 watchers
1930s Vintage Pattern Stylish Deco Dresses ~36 B ~uncut$20.50 Ends in 22 hours 4 bids 20 watchers
Vintage 1297 Western Shirts &transfer Pattern - 1946$20.00 Ends in 22 hours 3 bids 5 watchers
Vintage Vogue Couturier Design Bridal Gown Pattern$19.99 Ends in 22 hours 1 bid 18 watchers
1927 Stylish Unused Surplice Flapper Blouse Pattern 38b$19.99 Ends in 19 hours 1 bid 4 watchers
Sexy Vintage Pattern C.1940's Dinner Dress Sz.38 Bust$19.09 Ends Monday 6 bids 11 watchers
1930s Vintage Pattern ~ Strapless Gown & Bolero ~ 32 B$18.50 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 21 watchers
1957 Vogue Paris Original Pattern Nina Ricci 1375 Sz 12$18.50 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 9 watchers
Vintage Vogue Paris Original Pattern 1240 By Nina Ricci$17.50 Ends Monday 3 bids 17 watchers
Lovely Vtg 1940s Nightgown Sewing Pattern 16/34$17.50 Ends in 23 hours 4 bids 5 watchers
50s Vtg Pattern ~vogue Paris Original Fath ~32 B ~uncut$17.00 Ends in 22 hours 4 bids 25 watchers
Advance Store Counter Catalog August 1958 Patterns$16.78 Ends Thursday 2 bids 8 watchers
~lovely 2 Pc Dress~suit Pattern~1940's Hollywood~b-36~$16.59 Ends in 22 hours 4 bids 1 watcher
Vogue Pattern 1846 Uncut Byron Lars Wrap Blouse Sz 6-10$16.02 Ends Thursday 3 bids 4 watchers
7 Vogart Transfer Patterns Package Vintage Doll + + Lot$16.00 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 9 watchers
Vintage Retro 1930's Evening Gown Pattern$15.50 Ends in 22 hours 3 bids 11 watchers
Vintage Ballgown Or Bridal Pattern $15.50 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 11 watchers
Vintage Cape Pattern 1920's Or 30's Gorgeous!$15.50 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 9 watchers
30s Vintage Pattern ~two Styles Aprons ~nra ~32-34 B$15.50 Ends Monday 3 bids 25 watchers
Vintage 1940's Apron Pattern With Transfer$15.50 Ends in 18 hours 7 bids 9 watchers
Vogue Special Design Evening Gown B38 S-4743 Full Skirt$15.50 Ends Sunday 4 bids 29 watchers
Vintage 40s 50s 60s 70s Pattern Lot 70 Patterns Sz 8-14$15.01 Ends Monday 5 bids 13 watchers
Antique Pattern For Victorian Skirt$15.00 Ends in 23 hours 1 bid 3 watchers
Lot Of 42 Vintage Childrens Sewing Patterns Most 60's$14.99 Ends in 23 hours 1 bid 7 watchers
10 Vintage Vogue Patterns Most 1950s 2 Special Design!$14.95 Ends in 22 hours 1 bid 6 watchers
Lovely Vtg 1930s Skirt Vogue Sewing Pattern Waist 27$14.01 Ends Monday 6 bids 6 watchers
1950s Vintage Pattern ~ Stunning Cocktail Dress ~ 34 B $14.00 Ends in 22 hours 1 bid 11 watchers
Vintage Faux Fur Wrap Jacket Pattern $13.56 Ends Monday 5 bids 7 watchers
Vintage 30s Simplicity 3piece Suit Pattern 1073 16 / 34$13.49 Ends Tuesday 5 bids 10 watchers
Very Vintage/antique Apron Pattern 1920's?$13.49 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 17 watchers
Vtg Hollywood 40s Evening Dress Pattern 1245 40b Uncut$13.49 Ends Monday 5 bids 3 watchers
Vintage 1940's Pattern - Lounging Or Dinner Pyjama$13.30 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 4 watchers
Vintage Simplicity And Advance Patterns Lot Of 20$13.00 Ends in 23 hours 3 bids 17 watchers
Vintage Vogue 1930's Evening Gown Pattern$12.50 Ends in 22 hours 4 bids 24 watchers
Vtg Anne Adams Apron Pattern-medium$12.50 Ends in 16 hours 3 bids 5 watchers

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