That's how I'd LOVE to buy Patterns - I bet others will too!
I started restoring and selling vintage pattern copies online over 15 years ago. Here's why:
When I want to work on a project, I want to get right at it. Shopping on the internet was convenient, but then you had to wait and wait for snail-mail to bring your supplies before you could start. I wished someone would scan the vintage patterns and offer them as PDF files. The only PDF patterns at that time were just Knit and Crochet. So, I thought, "Hey, if I would buy it, I am sure there are lots of other folks out there who would love it too!" So, I became the FIRST to sell Sewing Pattern PDFs!
I started scanning some of my many patterns and reworked them so that they fit on regular computer sized paper. At first I sold on Ebay. My e-pattern idea was so well received I achieved Power Seller status quickly. Then, Ebay banned selling anything digital on their site in 2008.
Off I went to find another site to sell my e-patterns. Enter ETSY! What a joy it has been to work with the people here at Etsy! It is so seller-friendly (buyer-friendly too!) I've met so many wonderful people from all over the world!
At first, I sold restored: Doll; Doll Clothing; & Toy Sewing e-Patterns. Then I branched out to Fashion Booklets & Patterns from the 1920s, with Cookbooks and Holiday Books coming right after that. Then came Kid's vintage clothing patterns! Soon, I was combining the vintage publications with my first love (Dolls) and voilà, out came the Doll-sized Funstuff e-booklets (available in AG sized 18", 10-12" and 5-7" sizes)
I was approached by Andover Fabrics to collaborate on a 1920's Women Fashions Booklet to help sell their officially licensed "Downton Abbey" fabric line. We made the "1 Hour Dress" and "1920's Hats" Pattern booklets available in PRINT for Quilt shops all over the US. The following year we added Aprons & Caps, Flapper Fashions and Egyptomania Booklets. These are all available as PDFs in my my Etsy shop, as well as printed versions at Hawthorne Threads online.
Who knows what will be next!?!?! It has been a fun journey and I am ready to see what new & exciting ideas are around the next corner!!
