Closed 5/10/09

Wedding/Bride Dress…Vogue Maternity…Apollonia Kotero Dress…Backless Dress

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.
Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store Now listed in eBay Store

Take a peek at my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Closing 3/16/09

Child’s Pullover Top…Child’s Top…Olive Green Buttons…Clear Sunburst Buttons…Tiny White Sunburst…Tiny Clear Shank…Gold Metallic…Metal Dome with Rim

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Link to eBay Store
Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Closed 3/8/09

70s Sweater Ensemble…Betty Boop Doll…Girls 80s Ensemble…Girls European Coat

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Closed 2/19/09

60s Jackie Coat…70s Maxi Coat…80s Coat Dress…Butterick Basic Fitting Pattern

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

SOLD

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Closed 2/5/09

Clown Costume…80s Blouses…Proportioned Pants…Plus Size Proportioned Pants

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Who can’t use another t shirt? There are lots of choices. I can just show a couple. Show that button pride!

Check out my special button buddies 4ever design on http://www.cafepress.com

Check out my new bookstore on Amazon.com.

Closed 2/1/09

50s Audrey Blouse…50s Oriental Pajamas…50s Overblouse…60s Blouse

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.
Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Who can’t use another t shirt? There are lots of choices. I can just show a couple. Show that button pride!

Check out my special button buddies 4ever design on http://www.cafepress.com

Check out my new bookstore on Amazon.com.

Butterick-Oldest Pattern Company

Did you know that Butterick is the oldest pattern company?  Here’s the story straight from the company website.

“The year was 1863. Snowflakes drifted silently past the windowpane covering the hamlet of Sterling, Massachusetts in a blanket of white. Ellen Butterick brought out her sewing basket and spread out the contents on the big, round dining room table. From a piece of sky blue gingham, she was fashioning a dress for her baby son Howard. Carefully, she laid out her fabric, and using wax chalk, began drawing her design.

Later that evening, Ellen remarked to her husband, a tailor, how much easier it would be if she had a pattern to go by that was the same size as her son. There were patterns that people could use as a guide, but they came in one size. The sewer had to grade (enlarge or reduce) the pattern to the size that was needed. Ebenezer considered her idea: graded patterns. The idea of patterns coming in sizes was revolutionary. He experimented, creating heavy cardboard templates; it quickly became evident that the heavy cardboard patterns were not suitable for folding or shipping throughout the country. Ebenezer tried lighter papers and discovered that tissue paper was ideal to work with and much easier to package.

The first graded sewing patterns were cut and folded by members of the Butterick family and sold from their home in Sterling, Massachusetts. In no time at all, they needed extra space and expanded into an adjoining house. As business continued to grow, they moved into a larger house in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and in one year, set up a business at 192 Broadway in New York City.

In the beginning, Butterick specialized in men’s and boys’ clothing. Not until 1866, after three years of operation, did they begin to manufacture women’s dress patterns. They were, of course, enthusiastically received, and Butterick expanded his women’s line to include dresses, jackets and capes in 13 sizes, and skirts in five sizes. Over 130 years later, the company he  founded continues to lead the way in make-it-yourself fashions.”

Collecting Vintage Sewing Patterns

Paper sewing patterns were first manufactured in the middle of the 1800s. The first ones were designed by Ellen Curtis Demorest and sold through her magazine, Mme. Demorest’s Mirror of Fashion. In 1863, American tailor Ebenezer Butterick was the first to create a sewing pattern in various sizes.  It was his idea to use tissue paper for the mass production of sewing patterns. The earliest paper sewing patterns were pre-cut on plain tissue, with notches and holes for markings which aided in construction of the garment. The printed pattern was introduced in the 1920s, but did not become commonplace until just after World War II.

There are four large pattern companies still making sewing patterns today, Butterick, McCall’s, Simplicity and Vogue.  These are also the most commonly found vintage patterns, though there were dozens of smaller companies who produced some exciting and specialty designs. Pattern magazines and counter books (the big books in stores that pictured all the styles) are also interesting to collect, and they are authoritative aids in helping to place a date on a pattern.

Closed 11/6/08

70s Caftan…Blouses…Wrap Coat…Knit Skirt

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eCrater Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store
Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater

Don’t forget your button friends as we head into the holiday giving season.
Check out my special button buddies design on http://www.cafepress.com

Closed 11/2/08

1980 PJ, Robe…1980 4pc Outfit…1986 Dresses…80s-90s Classic Dress

Now listed in eCrater Store

Now listed in eCrater Store

Now listed in eCrater Store

Check out my newest listings on etsy and on eCrater
Now listed in eCrater Store
Don’t forget your button friends as we head into the holiday giving season.
Check out my special button buddies design on http://www.cafepress.com