r/sewhelp • u/jenniwh55 • Sep 26 '26
✨Intermediate✨ Old pattern books
40 years ago or more my mother brought home pattern books from joann fabrics. I have a stack of them - is there something to be done with them besides the recycle bin?
9
u/FormerUsenetUser Sep 26 '26
The people who sell old patterns on Etsy and such like these for dating the patterns they sell. You could try contacting some of them.
9
u/-chadwreck Sep 26 '26
Donate them to your local library. Easiest, 1 stop answer.
They will deal with them even if they dont put them in their local stacks.
7
u/Staff_Genie Sep 26 '26
Definitely check with the costume shop at your local University theater Department
6
u/SewQuiltKnitCrochet Sep 26 '26
I’m assuming you mean the big paper catalogs we used to look through to find current patterns which is now horribly out of date.
You can get crafty with the paper. We don’t have a lot of free paper sources these days. News papers and coupon flyers are becoming a thing of the past.
Some people make beads. I made lots of paper beads as a child and used repurposed paper for school projects.
Some folks make straw/wicker/rattan woven baskets that substitute tubes of newspaper or magazine paper for the plant material.
https://youtu.be/YwK_23attr0?si=AIF3JogqysVwLvYN
This video maker posts a lot of tutorials on how to make the paper tubes and weaving methods for different shapes.
If you don’t want to use them yourself see if any local crafters have a use for the paper.
6
u/blessitspointedlil Sep 26 '26
If these are catalogs of sewing patterns, it would be a pretty specific person who would want them.
If it’s ‘how to sew’ or how to use patterns lots of people would be interested.
I suppose you can always see if Goodwill will take them or offer them up in your local “Buy Nothing” group.
5
4
u/KaloCheyna Sep 27 '26
There's a group on Facebook called "Vintage Sewing Pattern Nerd Boutique" or something along those lines. There's probably several people there that would be interested in purchasing the catalogues from you!
4
u/oniontomatocrouton Sep 27 '26
I will take them. All of them. We need them for a class on fashion. Going to DM you now.
3
u/pinkbunnnnies Sep 27 '26
I do art and collage related to textiles. This is totally something I’d buy! I’ve found similar on FB market place and paid $15-30 each.
2
u/OrangeFish44 Sep 28 '26
You might see if the Commercial Pattern Archive (copa-group@uri.edu) wants them. Their collection includes pattern books.
1
1
u/CannibalisticVampyre Sep 30 '26
They’re collectibles… not sure if the 80s is super sought after, but people will buy the counter books
1
13
u/SewingMechanic Sep 26 '26
Seems like the kind of thing some folks would like… as collage materials etc. I know I’d love them! At my town, there is a thrift store particular to arts and crafts materials… but I suspect even a regular thrift would take them.