VintagePatternGirl

Vintage Pattern Lending Library

Cape Coral, Florida · 1530 Sales

5 out of 5 stars
(280)

VintagePatternGirl

Vintage Pattern Lending Library

Cape Coral, Florida 1530 Sales On Etsy since 2014

5 out of 5 stars
(280)

Shop owner

Deirdre

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Announcement   Since 1998, Preserving Past Fashion History For The Future

Announcement

Since 1998, Preserving Past Fashion History For The Future

Deirdre

Contact shop owner

Deirdre

Items

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1530 Sales
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5 out of 5 stars
(280)
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About

Preserving Past Fashion History For The Future

Vintage Pattern Lending Library has been in operation since 1998, cataloging and providing historic fashions for the community at large.

How it all works:

Once I have the perfect vintage pattern in my happy little hands, it takes a fair amount of time and energy to give it a second life. Depending upon the era, the pattern could have been printed in a magazine and needs to be put together, like a puzzle, following the various symbols and marks. Other patterns come on blank sheets of tissue with perforated dots to show the necessary markings. Regardless of the era, these pattern pieces are then meticulously re-drafted on a CAD table to ensure the proper period correct design. Seam allowances are clearly marked, as are darts, notches, pleat lines, etc., so when it arrives in your happy little hands, it looks somewhat like a modern pattern.

Transcribing directions and cleaning artwork comes next. No changes are made to the original directions. When it calls for a lapped side closure, that's what you'll see. Of course, you can use a zipper - but for period correct accuracy, nothing is changed.

Once a pattern is ready, it is then tested by myself and/or my pattern testers. Sometimes we'll put a note in a particular pattern to let you know what construction details we found to be easier, but to preserve the authenticity of the original, they are purely meant to be suggestions.

Finally, the original pattern is stored with acid free paper and backing to (hopefully) preserve it's integrity. The entire process for bringing a pattern back to life takes between 4-7 weeks - it truly is a labor of love. And, yes, other than pattern testers, this is a one-woman studio.... patterns are printed in house, one at a time when you place your order.

I love to hear from my customers and I adore it when they send photos. Let me know if I can be of any assistance in your upcoming historical fashion endeavors.

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Shop members

  • Deirdre

    Owner, Proprietress

Shop policies

Last updated on January 22, 2018
The Vintage Pattern Lending Library is home to a continuously expanding collection of over 10,000 historic sewing and needlework patterns, rare publications, and other fashion related materials dated from the 1840s through the 1950s. The archives contain materials from countries around the world.

Our mission is to return as many of these items as possible into public access, so that anyone with a love for historic fashion can experience them as close to the originals as is possible.

Accepted payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Apple Pay
  • Klarna
  • Sofort
  • Ideal
  • Paypal
  • GiftcardAccepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back within: 7 days of delivery
Request a cancellation within: 24 hours of purchase
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Perishable products (like food or flowers)
  • Digital downloads
  • Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Questions about your order?
Please if you have any problems with your order.
Returns and exchange details
I truly want you to be happy with your purchase. A full refund will be issued if you feel item is not as described. Please contact me upon delivery to let me know of any issues. Return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer and item refund will be made upon receipt of return.
Payment
All payments should be made within 3 business days of purchase. If you need more time, or if an issue has arisen, please contact me as I'm sure we can work something out.
Credit Cards, Etsy Gift Cards and PayPal are accepted.
Shipping
Single patterns are shipped via USPS 1st Class Mail. When purchasing more than one pattern, due to weight restrictions, they are shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Every effort is made to ship within one business day of your cleared payment. A tracking number will be provided on all domestic shipments to check status of delivery.

I apologize for the USPS International pricing increase. These are not my fees but are determined by the postal system. Effective January 21, 2018, patterns previously sent at a lower "envelope" rate are now required to be sent at the "package" rate which is almost double the price. Only documents without a value may be sent at the envelope rate - patterns do not qualify. Tracking will still be provided for your parcel, however, once shipped, I cannot be accountable for delivery times and delays at your local customs office, nor am I responsible for your local taxes/VAT fees.

NOTE: INTERNATIONAL ORDERS ARE LIMITED TO 6 PATTERNS

Although Etsy is a new venue for us, the Vintage Pattern Lending Library has been in business since 1998. Purchase with confidence!