I consider that part of what I do is to help preserve existing patterns, so that they are available to you who continue the tradition of sewing. It is a dying art. I know in my family, if it weren't for my Mom we would not have had as many clothes as we did. She saved money by making our clothes. I also believe it was, for her, a labor of love. She also believed that it was important to pass this tradition on. While I'm not the seamstress that my Mom was, I have sewed many things for my family.

Here are some of the pattern collections I've purchased to share with you. We owe to these folks their keeping sewing patterns available for the rest of us to enjoy.

MLF - Ms. Franke of Indiana

I acquired a large personal collection from the estate of Mary L. Franke of Indiana. Thanks to her daughter, this collection of formal wear patterns has been preserved. Ms. Franke, born in 1919 and able to trace her roots to colonial America in the Mid-Atlantics and Territorial Indiana, learned from her grandmother and mother the many skills and traditions of her time. She made her first clothes during the Great Depression, and never stopped. She was also a milliner, in addition to making 'the best pies from their home grown cherries.' Her daughter, the person from whom I received the patterns, has also kept these traditions alive with her own daughter, in addition to valuing a good education. This, ladies and gents, highlights the strong and wonderful people of our country. Let's keep the traditions alive.

TM - Thelma Maxey of Texas

This is a large collection from the estate of Thelma Maxey of Lorenzo, Texas. Thanks to her daughter, this collection of classic 1960's through 1980's patterns has been preserved. She was a graduate of Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Home Economics Education and a Master's Degree in Clothing and Textiles. Mrs. Maxey, born in 1928, learned to sew during the depression. She considered it a great opportunity to sew for all the members of her family because it meant that she did not have to work in the cotton fields. Her brother's G. I. Bill life insurance helped to pay for her college education. From that start, she went on to teach Home Economics at Lorenzo High School for many years.Mrs. Maxey was recognized by the Vocational Home Economics Teachers Association of Texas for a special achievement award as well as receiving many other awards for her outstanding teaching. She was influential in encouraging many others to enter the fields of home economics and clothing and textiles.

SH - Patterns from Ohio

This collection is from a store in Ohio. These patterns are not very old, but they are in mint condition, and include a large assortment of formalwear and period costumes.

C - Patterns from Connecticut

This collection is from a woman in Connecticut. She did costuming, sewed extensively for family, friends, our U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, and for the church and community. She also worked at a store. This collection is a gift to us all.

HM - Patterns from Maine

This collection is from a woman in Maine. She had some nice costumes and craft patterns in perfect condition.

MSt - Patterns from Central Massachusetts

This collection is from a woman in North Central Massachusetts. She sewed extensively for her family, while wife on a large working dairy farm. There are many patterns from the 50's.

TH - Patterns from Central Massachusetts

This collection is from the daughter of a woman in North Central Massachusetts. Most of the collection is from the 40''s and 50's. Her Mom sewed extensively for the family, but this collection contains all patterns that are uncut. For some reason, however, all of the envelopes are missing. So the images you see will be the line drawings from the direction page. I'm selling these at a VERY reasonable price.

PF - Patterns from Central Massachusetts

This small collection is from a woman in North Central Massachusetts, mostly from the 70s.

KS - Patterns from Upstate New York

This small collection is from a woman in northern New York State, including some vintage majorette and skating outfits.

LI - Patterns from Washington

This small, more recent pattern collection is from a woman in Washington State.