Those elusive patterns

The great Post page restoration project continues :-) We uploaded a few current requests earlier tonight and will continue to add requests until we're caught up. Or almost caught up. Or as close to getting caught up as we ever get :-)

In the process of moving some old posts over to the Closed section, I came across Shannon's request for this lovely Vogue Couturier pattern by designer John Cavanagh, which she wanted to use for her wedding gown. It's one of the few requests that we never got any tips on. Unless, of course, someone spotted it and bought it themselves without ever letting on.... (Nahh)

Anyway, when we checked in with Shannon to see if she was still looking for this, her gown was done. She'd combined features from several different patterns to get the look she wanted, and was kind enough to forward a photo we could share with you:



Isn't that gorgeous??!! I especially love the blue sash -- a unique and striking touch! Not sure I'd ever have the courage to attempt something like this (heck, I can't even get around to making an apron....) but I sure can appreciate Shannon's skill and effort.

Shannon, by the way, got married in late June. Congratulations on a fabulous piece of sewing, and best wishes on the new chapter in your life!

J

And the work goes on

Just a quick update here....

We've been busy working on the Post area, which is woefully in need of an update. Some new behind-the-scenes procedures are in place which -- hopefully -- will help us keep the pages updated. (Although we HAVE kept up with passing on replacement pieces and email tips!) The pages were so bad we just took all the postings down and will add in current postings over the next week to 10 days. Hope you'll stop by then to see if you can help!

Also busy working on new pattern listings for the Recycle and Trade areas in between shipping out packages. Won't be much longer now....

And for those of you who wanted patterns from the Special Collection, the limit was increased to 3 and you are permitted to make a second request if you like.

See you soon :-)

500 patterns later...

Well, it's been a busy week or so. On the 17th we posted 935 sewing patterns in the Recycle, Trade and Special Collection areas. By the 24th, about 500 of them were out the door on their way to new homes.

It's been a lot of work, but what a delight to be able to ship out so many patterns! And still have something left on the website, too :-)

Yes, we are working on another batch and plan to add those in another day or two. It won't fully replace the 500 that are gone, but it'll give you all something new to look at anyway. Watch this space for a quick note when they go up.

In the meantime, the Post pages still need work, so I'd best be off. Will try to make a point of dropping back in a bit sooner next time :-)

It's all Mary's fault!

Most of my computer is busy uploading photos to the Pattern Rescue site, so I thought I'd drop by and give you a sneak preview of the patterns featured in our new Special Collection, which is coming up this week.

It started like this. One day I was desperately looking through Craigslist hoping to find something or another -- can't remember now what it was, and you don't care anyway. The point is, as long I was there I thought I'd just do a really quick search -- purely out of curiosity, of course -- for sewing patterns. (Can you say "poor impulse control"?)

And there it was: an ad for 100+ infant's sewing patterns, mostly uncut. The poster wanted the lavish sum of $20 for the whole group. The ad was two weeks old.

"Huh," I said (probably to myself, but one never knows). "Those must be long gone. Just as well."

"Yes," I answered, "but you know how Mom LOVES patterns for kids, and we don't get many. She's going a little crazy, what with all those blouson pullover dress patterns and 4-piece wardrobe patterns. A nice batch of cute little patterns would be just the thing. Send an email and ask, dummy!"

"Fine," I responded. "I'll send an email, find out they're gone, and can regret them all I want without the need to justify buying more patterns."

Despite it obviously being a waste of time, I sent off a quick email and was floored to get a response saying the patterns were still available. Even better, during the email exchange to set up a meeting time, I explained about Pattern Rescue and the woman said she thought she had some crafts patterns too and would dig those out and include them if I wanted. (Did I want more patterns? Need you ask?)

A few mornings later, Mary and I deserted our respective computers and boxes of patterns to set off on a quest for even more patterns. (Naturally, we warned the mailman ahead of time so he'd know where to leave any, um, boxes of patterns that might be arriving that day.)

Our destination was an outlying area, a modestly long drive off to where the subdivisions and strip malls give way to rambling farmhouses, barns and horses. The weather was perfect, the construction zone had freshly rolled asphalt to drive on with no detours, the roadside flower displays were magnificent, and and the entire trip was a pleasure. (Well, there was that one moment -- driving down a two-lane country road surrounded by nothing but acres of corn on either side -- when Mary got a teensy bit nervous about how much gas was in the car...)

Two hours and $20 later, Mary and I were back in her kitchen sorting our newly acquired gems. Well, I was sorting. Mary was taking forever, what with all the "Oh, isn't that cute"s and "Look! Teddy Bears!" Being the basically sensible type (I can HEAR you laughing, you know), I stopped sorting and just shared Mom's sheer pleasure with the styles and the various baby expressions -- and fully enjoyed a great day spent with someone I love.

So now you know why I'm blaming this on Mary. These were donated by us, and purchased because Mary loves these the same way I love 1930s patterns. Now if I could just find a whole batch of THOSE on Craigslist....

This special collection has 170 or so patterns altogether. The dates range from 1983 to 1995, and most of these darlings have never been used. (Don't you just love when the patterns you buy turn out to be as advertised?)

Babies are the focus, with more than half of the patterns for newborn or infant's small, medium and large (6 to 18 months). There are your basic layette and baby undies, your dress patterns, your romper, jumpsuit and overalls patterns, and more dress patterns. The well-dressed baby boy has a variety to choose from, as does the budding fashionista. There's even a Jessica McClintock christening dress pattern.


Now, we know you're all just crazy about toddler patterns, and you will find a couple of dozen patterns in toddler sizes. (Sorry, that's all she had. What can I tell you? Talk to Mary...)

There are also a handful of patterns in larger sizes for girls; a couple of those combination girls dress with matching 18 inch doll dress pattersn; and even one Mother, Daughter and Doll jumper pattern.

By the way -- you'll see quite a few duplicates on the pages. In virtually every case it's the same pattern number in a different size. The one shown at left is available in size 1/2, 1 and 2.

The rest of the collection features craft patterns. These include nursery decorations and baby carryalls, along with plenty of patterns for toys and stuffed animals for the little ones.

(If anyone's been looking for Butterick's SS Happiness Crew or Colorforms patterns, you're in luck! Playskool tub toys, perhaps?)

Rounding out the collection are few other craft and decor patterns, including some country dolls intended for display rather than playtime, the aforementioned teddy bears, assorted household linens, and such things.


Special terms apply to all Special Collections (which are part of the Trade area). You'll need 3 pattern points to redeem for most of the patterns -- although a few are only 2 points and a few or 4 to 8 points. There is also a quantity limit -- either 2 or 3 patterns per member (depending on how many requests we get).

And do remember -- although we'll only send you 2 or 3, be sure to include plenty of alternates on your request form. (The fewer pattern points you have, the more alternates you should send.) These patterns probably will be gone in one day...

I'd like to send a big thank you to Cathy for making these patterns available and generously adding so many more; and to Elaina, for doing all the photos. And, of course, to Mary -- even though it's all her fault.

Getting patterns you want

It's always the pits when we have to send out emails telling people that they didn't get ANY of the patterns they requested.... And judging from the questions we've been getting, it's time to try to explain what happens in a slightly different way.

So here's the setting: It's 12:01 a.m. Eastern time and you're browsing through the newly posted patterns in the Recycle area. There's at least 300 to choose from, and you pick out a dozen, send in your request by 12:04 a.m., and figure you're all set. Two days letter you get an email telling you that only 2 of the patterns you wanted were available....

What happened? Well, most of the patterns you wanted were also requested by someone who had more pattern points than you. And because the system is based on pattern points -- not the time the request came in -- the person with the most points get the pattern.

Time of request does matter if two people want the same pattern AND they both have the same number of pattern points -- in that case, the person who made the request first gets the pattern. But that's rarely what happens.

Why do pattern points get priority?
Because you earn pattern points by doing things that help keep Pattern Rescue going (donating patterns, pin money, tissue pieces, etc. ) and we think the people who help the most should get priority for the patterns we send out.

The stunning little number shown here (McCall's 4070 halter sundress from the 1950s) is one of the many "new" patterns that will be added to the Trade area in the next few days. How many of you will want it? Just one? Five? A dozen?

In any event, we only have one, and there has to be a way to decide. So we collect all the requests for a single day and then whoever has the most pattern points gets the pattern. Until the end of the day, we don't know who that will be.

Pattern point balances range from zero (for new members making their first request) to over 300 (for folks like Sue, who donated this lovely vintage pattern and many more like it).

But if you don't have many pattern points, don't despair! Everyone's balance changes all the time. You get more points every time you donate something. And you redeem points every time you get a pattern from the Trade area. So that 200 point gorilla who always gets the patterns you want will eventually be 98 point weakling and you'll find larger packages in your mailbox. It really does work!

Easy for us to say :-) However, we do tweak things now and again to help more people get more patterns. The latest tweak is simply listing more patterns at one time -- which we hope will spread out the requests and result in more patterns actually going out the door.

A few tips when making your requests:

• Always include alternates if there's anything you like. If the first 4 or 8 patterns on your list are gone, do you really want nothing?
  
• The very first day a large group of new patterns posts is the busiest. If you don't have a lot of points, you may find it easier on your nerves to check on the second day and choose from what's left.
• Plus-size patterns are VERY popular. So are patterns for toddlers, especially from the 1970s. Expect a lot of competition on these.
• The odd 1940s or 1950s pattern that makes it into the Recycle area is going to be long gone unless you have a ton of points.

Boosting your pattern points:

• Make your pin money donation promptly (for an extra point) and add a bit extra. A $2 donation for $2 postage made 10 days later gets you 2 points. Make it within 7 days and you get 3 points. Add an extra dollar and get 5 points. Make it $5 and get 9 points.
• Don't get patterns from the Trade area unless you really, really love them. Letting your point balance build up for a while will help you get the Recycle patterns you want.
• Got any incomplete patterns from the 1950s or earlier hanging around? Send them on. Each one earns a point, and you'll have the opportunity to get them back if we can complete the pattern.

Hope this helps a bit -- any questions, just let me know!

Jacki

Long time, no see..

Time for my quarterly update... (so much for whole news-on-the-fly theory)

We are alive and fairly well -- much better than we've been in the past few months, which is a relief. Mary celebrated her 89th birthday two days ago, so her house now has lots of cards, flowers and teddy bears adorning the boxes of donated patterns.

Although you haven't heard much, we have been as busy as possible during our unscheduled hiatus. Within the next week, we'll be posting full updates to the Recycle and Trade area -- and I can say that with confidence because most of the work is already done.

Stay tuned here for more news, and look for 2 newsletters about the new postings. They include an expanded selection of Recycle patterns (with lots of plus size sewing patterns!), over 100 vintage and modern patterns in the Trade area (including that 1940s/1950s page), and a Special Collection of mostly unused sewing patterns for infants. (Er.. to sew things for infants. The average 6-month old might find them a bit complicated.)

And no, we haven't forgotten the Post and Preserve areas. In fact, the object at the moment is to get a bit ahead on the sewing pattern postings so we can turn more of our attention to restoration.

We'd like to take a moment to say thank you to everyone for the help, kind words, and patience for the past few months. And to send our best to those of you who are struggling with challenges of your own -- our thoughts are with you.

Stop back tomorrow if you have a minute!

Jacki

Trade or not?

Added a few patterns to the Trade area last night, so today I'll be babbling on about what goes into the Trade area -- and why.

No matter what the style, condition often makes the difference between the Trade and Recycle area. Incomplete patterns are automatically disqualified as are most multi-size patterns that have been cut to one of the smaller sizes. Unless newer patterns are unused, they'll need a pretty special plus to make the Trade cut. After that, it's a combination of my opinion and my understanding of your preferences.

Lingerie patterns from any era are likely to end up in the Trade area. "Lingerie" includes slips, bras and panties, and the lacy range of nightwear. Your very basic flannel pajamas and fleece robe patterns probably won't make it.


McCall's 2496 was a lingerie no-brainer. It cover the 3 basic styles (baby dolls, pjs and nightgown) and a rather unusual use (in home sewing patterns anyway) of lace side seams which are lapped and stitched along the torso. The UPC code on the front came as a surprise because the pattern dates from 1986. Must have been one of the first examples!


I usually view camisole patterns as lingerie, so unless it's really b-o-r-i-n-g or in bad shape, it goes in the Trade area. Simplicity 5352 had one view cut out, but the rest was unused and the combination of 2 camisoles and 3 jackets in very different styles won the day.



Vogue 7254 is my idea of the classic lingerie pattern. Can't you just feel the satin? Shaped shoulder straps are always a nice option, and the short dolman sleeves give you lots of drape. Between the style and the graphics, this one just needed to be complete to qualify.

Fashion Designers, I must admit, are not my strong point. Yes -- I have heard of most of them -- but while I can evaluate a 1940s pattern in a heartbeat, the relative merit of designer patterns is much tougher. To some extent, I simply go by your response to various patterns we've listed, and sometimes a little market research helps too. The end result is that some designer patterns DO end up in the Recycle area, but there are 2 pages in the Trade area dedicated to designer patterns, too.



Butterick 6371 is by John Kloss, and the donation included 4 of these patterns in 3 sizes. Can't say the style does a whole lot for me, but I do know that John Kloss has a loyal following. So in they went....


Laura Ashley is another designer name that automatically gets tossed into the Trade pile. This didn't strike me as being one of the most compelling of her patterns, but the envelope art is usually a treat for the eye.


Erm... this is embarassing. Obviously the red squiggles on Simplicity 9712 are a designer signature, but for some reason it took me forever to read. The style didn't ring any bells, either. And then there was that "Ah Hah!" moment. Pauline Trigere. How could I not have seen that? Fortunately no one was around...


Very Vintage patterns (and reproductions thereof) are highly likely to go into the Trade area. We don't get too many modern reproductions (such as the Vintage Vogue line) but they always disappear quickly.


Simplicity 9360 (factory folded) was another no-brainer for the Trade area. The 60th anniversary special pattern is not particularly hard to find (or expensive), but the Art Deco logo and the 1930s dress style (and your little dog, too) are hard to resist. In fact, we had 4 requests for this one within a few hours...


Sixties to Eighties Most of the complete patterns donated to us come from this era, so there's always something to include in the Trade area. Condition is quite important, but a gently used complete pattern may make the grade if it's interesting enough.


Yes, yes -- tiered skirts are not too popular. But McCall's 5648 also features 5 little summer tops that are not just your usual tank tops. I'm pretty sure you could wear them with jeans, too. :-) Factory folds? Sold!



The first time I saw McCall's 8325, I looked for the Laura Ashley label. It's not an Ashley design, but the full-length floral print certainly has the same feel. I also like the way the pleats are held down by a top-stiched belt band that complements the top-stitched yoke.


Unusual Details are my favorite reasons for including a pattern in the Trade area. It's always a joy to find something a style with a unique twist or construction details that takes it beyond the ordinary. And if it's special enough, I'll cut a little slack on the condition, too.


I loved the neckline on Butterick 6962. At first glance it appears to be a standard notched lapel style, but a closer look reveals that there's no collar -- just the wing lapel. The tuck pleats are on the back too -- another detail I liked -- and it's a wrap dress to boot! All fine points, and the final decision maker was that it's still factory folded. (Too bad it's a size 10....)



Butterick 3426 is front wrap skirt pattern. Although wrap skirts are very popular, they're also quite common and you'll often find them in the Recycle area. This actually isn't one of my favorites, but the highly unusual asymmetrical closure shown on the red model -- plus the pattern's factory-folded condition -- elevated this to the Trade area.



Simplicity 6491 includes a front wrap skirt pattern, but I hardly noticed it. What did catch my eye -- and keep it -- was the figure-eight effect of the waistband and pocket on the slim skirt. I liked it well enough that this would have gone into the Trade area even if it had been used.


Decisions, Decisions. Sometimes I just can't make up my mind -- and the decision of Trade vs. Recycle could go either way. This is where I've learned a lot from you guys. When I've put an "on-the-fence" pattern in the Recycle area that should have gone into Trade, you usually let me know by the number of requests for that pattern :-) These days, I'm more likely to include these in the Trade area from the start.


Butterick 3850, from 1986, makes a lacy nightshirt with flutter sleeves or a plain v-neck nightshirt with pull-on pants. It struck me as being right on the line between pajamas and lingerie, and very nearly went into the Recycle area. Again, the factory-folded condition won out.


Pants patterns rarely make it into the Trade area. But I liked I liked the waistband options offered by McCall's 8471, and the unusual side hem pleats shown on the brown model. A larger size would have been nice, but at least it's factory folded.



Maybe it's just something about the short sleeves, but the photo on Simplicity 9338 made me pass right over this. It wasn't until I took a closer look at the line drawings that I began to appreciate the charm of this pattern. Probably not for the beginning sewer, though :-)

Well, that's the tour for today. Let's do it again soon!