Vintage Sewing Patterns

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Comment by XXTHCENTURYFROXX VINTAGE EMPORIUM on June 8, 2008 at 6:55pm

Hi all,
Happy to join this group!
I have a collection of literally thousands of Vintage Patterns right to the 1980's some of which I am selling here on Etsy.

If you are looking for a particular one let me know, you never know, I may have it stashed somewhere!

I have also been selling in the auction feebay place for a few years and even though their fees are higher I turn over quite a few patterns and some for quite high prices.

Sales in Etsy have been very slow, I have only sold 2 patterns since I listed them even though the prices are cheaper than on the other place due to cheaper fees.

Jace I am with you, I am sure my patterns breed! If I get rid of 10 in one week you can bet your bottom dollar, I will end up with another 30 by the end of the same time!! My favourites are the Simplicity and Vogue patterns from the early 1960's. Such gorgeous graphics!! Pattern illustrations are so lame now compared by the quality drawings of the time!

I also have a list of dating patterns by the pattern number as for many years patterns were not dated....If anyone wants it please contact me!

Cheers!
xxthcenturyfroxx

Comment by Patternshop on May 13, 2008 at 1:55pm

Charlotte,

Great questions:)

I can answer a few of them:

You can have a link in your shop announcement and profile and listings (have to check the listings) pointing to your website as long as you are not selling the same exact item on your personal website. They call this fee avoidance.

I came across a seller today and for the life of me, I wish I could remember who or how I came across this seller, but in her profile there was a huge list of sellers sites, blogs, etc. to visit.

Ladies, I'm with you all when it comes to too many patterns, or maybe my husband is with you all, and I'm not because I'm just not sure there is such a thing as "too many" . I have to sneak patterns in the house LOL!! Last summer, if I thought I was going to get patterns in the mail on his days off, I would have the Post Office hold my mail and I would go pick them up and bring them in when he wasn't looking. I tell ya, it's like an addiction to drugs or alcohol LOL!!, only a lot more safer:)

Please everyone, if you can attend the meeting Friday with Matt it would greatly appreciated:) I for one will be there unless something pops up from nowhere, and lately my luck hasn't been the greatest so I wouldn't be surprised.

I would like to get this all behind us so we can chat a little about our great pattern finds:)

Comment by Jace on May 12, 2008 at 12:40pm

Charlotte, what is this "too many" of which you speak? I don't understand... :)

Sometimes I think I sell vintage patterns just to have an excuse to buy more. No matter how many times I decide to streamline my life, vintage patterns keep showing up. I tell my boyfriend it's not my fault...they just seem to multiply on their own.

I've only recently started listing regularly with etsy and was really happy with the reaction I've had. We'll see what happens....

Comment by Charlotte on May 11, 2008 at 1:04pm

Hi Ladies. I am probably the oldest (in more ways than one) pattern seller here. I started listing a few in my handmade shop to destash, a word I've come to hate. I couldn't believe how they were selling. Within a month I set up my pattern shop and concentrated on mostly patterns. Sadly that move created quite a stir. Supplies were getting bashed big time and I was at the top of the bashee list. Etsy finally took a stand and two years later I'm still here.

Sandra, I think most of have too many patterns! LOL
I sometimes feel like these little buggers have taken over my life and my house. But I just love it.

Does anyone have any experience with their own website? What are the rules about links in your profile? Can we have more than one? Once Lisa gets her site set up can I have "for more great vintage patterns visit www.patternshop.whatever?"

It's just a thought. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Comment by Sandra Perkins on May 10, 2008 at 7:07pm

Hello. I'm happy to have this place to come to.

I'm so very sad about Etsy too. I came from Ebay and although I sell an occasional pattern or vintage clothing item there, I fell hard for Etsy. I love it there. Reading all the posts and negativity towards us makes me feel terrible.

I too, have so many (too many) unlisted patterns that need a home and I was starting to feel so good about being able to find them homes. It feels good when people write to you about a pattern they have been searching for....

You know I shop Etsy and tell everyone about it, it will be sad if we have to leave.

Comment by Katie / Vintagerouge on May 10, 2008 at 5:46pm

Hello Ladies! Glad this group was started!:)

Katie

Comment by Patternshop on May 10, 2008 at 2:51pm

Hello everyone:)



First, I started this group and I would like to apologize for my lack of participation. Like you all, I've crushed by all of this with etsy. So I've been running around the internet like a chicken with my head cut off!

I sat and cried and cried for a few days when this first happened, and now I am mad! So I've decided to take my business and its destiny into my own hands, and in all honesty I think we all need to do that!

I do believe etsy WILL get this straightened out, just not sure about the time frame though, and I like a lot of you, don't have the time. So I will take this time work on my own website, and when (or IF) I will use them as a tool to drive buyers to my own website.

One thing I want you all to know is that I have never felt like I was in any competition with any pattern seller on etsy or any other venue for that matter:)

Comment by Jace on May 10, 2008 at 11:01am

I'm hoping to make etsy work too, Wendy. My shop is much smaller than most of yours, but even with a limited inventory I was seeing regular sales at least one or two times a week. I have so many vintage patterns unlisted that I was excited to get more posted...now I'm not so sure what to do. I really hope this gets straightened out!

Comment by Jace on May 9, 2008 at 7:09pm

Hi everyone! Thanks to Lisa for setting this up! I'm off to let other etsy pattern sellers know about the group so we can start brainstorming about promotions that will help all of us!

Comment by Charlotte on May 9, 2008 at 11:02am

I'm here!