The Sewing Place

Old patterns

jen

Old patterns
« on: June 21, 2018, 07:35:54 AM »
How long do you hang on to patterns? Every time I decide to cull my envelope patterns, I see possibilities in each one, and they get a stay of execution. I’ve just cut a shirt from McCalls 6555 from around 1979. Its envelope is in tatters, and I found that a key piece of one of the shirts has been cut up by a certain family member during her anti social phase, but hey, it’s still good.

wrenkins

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2018, 07:55:13 AM »
Ever.
Harbouring resentment is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die!

Tamnymore

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2018, 08:10:25 AM »
I've just had a cull and taken some I don't like now - mainly because I am unlikely to wear formal stuff so much - to a charity shop that specialises in habby. Favourite patterns I hang on to for ever.
'One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.' Oscar Wilde

b15erk

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2018, 08:45:50 AM »
I hate parting with patterns.  Unfortunately, a lot of mine are very dated, and could do with weeding out.

Some, like you Jen, I would never part with.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Tamnymore

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2018, 09:02:05 AM »
I regret I cannot find my wedding dress pattern (emmm it is very old). I'm sure I would not have thrown it away. It may be lurking under the eaves somewhere near the Christmas decs!
'One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.' Oscar Wilde

wrenkins

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2018, 09:27:29 AM »
I intend to keep them all forever. Foolish maybe, but they will come back around one day.

Just dug out my Mum's late 80s and early 90s stash. Quite a lot of the 90s ones I would now wear. The 2000s ones are definitely a no-no but they will come back around.
Yeah you think that now but IME they tend not to come round in the same size!  :S  :cake:
Harbouring resentment is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die!

Helen M

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2018, 10:11:35 AM »
I'm more careful than I used to be with what I discard. About 10 years ago I had a huge throw out, I hadn't sewn for about 10 years, and then when I came back about 6 years ago I sorely regretted losing at least half a dozen well used patterns. I still look for them on vintage sites as some were from the 80s, but no luck so far.

That said obvious 'fashion' trends I don't hang on to now.
« Last Edit: June 21, 2018, 16:31:13 PM by Helen M »
Stash Busting 2024 - Goal: 25 metres
So far:  1.5 metres  ------ Donated : 0 metres
Items decluttered: 55

Efemera

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2018, 10:15:21 AM »
I keep some...I had a huge clear out about 20 years ago and got rid of most of my 60s and 70s patterns... I wish I hadn’t. I do keep most Vogue designer ones.. still got a few Issey Miyake ones...I loved making those.

wrenkins

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2018, 10:25:37 AM »
I'm dead boring sensible in that I tend to go for 'standards' that are less likely to date. There aren't too many froo froos in my (limited) collection and if I ever have the nerve, they should be relatively easily adapted. I seldom stick to the pattern anyway. My next plan started off as a dress and fast became a skirt and top!...or it will when I get on with it...
Harbouring resentment is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die!

Nevis5

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2018, 13:00:04 PM »
@Helen M  and @Efemera , I did exactly the same thing :(  I really regret getting rid of some of my old patterns a few years ago.  I had loads of Vogue Designer ones and some independent designers as well.  Oh well. Live and learn.  I will be hanging on to those I have now forever  :devil:

Ohsewsimple

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2018, 13:54:04 PM »
I've  still got all mine.  Many going back to the beginning of the 70’s in size 10!!!  0_0
But they are far superior to many of today's patterns, with better instructions, more pattern markings etc.  I use some of them for teaching and demos. There's no way I could ever get in them but it's amazing to think used to!   Of course, they can always be graded up.

Surest1tch

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2018, 19:20:20 PM »
Unless it's for something that hasn't worked, I won't part with them. The ones that haven't worked get put in a box and the tissue gets recycled when I need to extend the length of something or I want to make a pattern for something simple like a bag.

UttaRetch

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2018, 09:34:25 AM »
I have never had a lot of patterns, but buy quite a few before I stopped sewing and had a purge.  I know have fewer than 20 and that's enough.

crooknees

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2018, 16:34:14 PM »
I keep all of mine. It pays off eventually. Before my holiday I made up a pattern I last used when at school in 1958. The sizing is different, but it still fits.  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Efemera

Re: Old patterns
« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2018, 16:55:14 PM »
I regret I cannot find my wedding dress pattern (emmm it is very old). I'm sure I would not have thrown it away. It may be lurking under the eaves somewhere near the Christmas decs!

Threw mine out.... along with the husband!