I think in the US they are trying to raise prices to about the 80s equivalent. We've just got 30 years of 99 cent and 1.99 sales. I started sewing on these sales, and while my mom sewed and I know patterns weren't always this cheap, I have never had to pay more then a few dollars the entire time I HAVE sewed.
Even Club BMV didn't save me money, it was just less hassle going an hour away to get patterns.