Over times, patterns can become worn out. If you are worried about trying to preserve them or don’t want to keep them anymore, you might be asking, what can I do with old sewing patterns? Old patterns can easily be preserved or destashed to make room for new ones.
How to Preserve Old Sewing Patterns
- Digitize them – You can scan a pattern via a home or library printer to create a digital PDF of your pattern. While large pieces need to be done in sections, it can still help to preserve your pattern by storing it on a computer so you can reprint it on new paper.
- Laminate them – If you have access to a laminator, you can preserve a pattern by laminating it. This will help prevent tearing and wrinkling.
What to Do with Old Sewing Patterns
- Donate them – Charities, Goodwill and more will take your old patterns you no longer need. Then they can get repurposed or passed on to a new home rather than filling a landfill.
- Swap them with friend – If you have friends who are fellow crafters, they might have a need for old patterns you’re done with. Consider doing pattern swaps as a group to help clear out your old patterns and acquire new ones.
- Recycle them – Sewing patterns are paper. If you’re done with them, consider recycling them properly instead of just sticking them in the trash.
- Sell them – People are willing to purchase used sewing patterns. Places like Ebay, Facebook Marketplace and even dedicated Facebook groups are a great place to sell and de-stash your old patterns.
Where Can I Donate Old Sewing Patterns
There’s a few different places you can donate your old sewing patterns to. One of the most common places is Goodwill. You can consider donating to any of the following:
- Goodwill, Salvation Army or other thrift stores
- Local theater schools or programs
- Local school home economics departments
- Creative reuse centers (The WasteShed in Chicago)
- Libraries or senior centers
- Local quilt and sewing guilds
- Charity organizations (Sew4Service)
Always check first before donating to make sure the place is accepting sewing patterns at that time.
Can I Recycle Sewing Patterns
You can recycle sewing patterns. Typically they’re made from paper and are able to be recycled.
Are Old Sewing Patterns Worth Money
Old patterns, especially ones that are no longer in production, can sometimes be worth money. You’ll have to do research first, but they can often be sold on Facebook Marketplace, Facebook groups or eBay for a decent amount of money. There’s a few factors that impact the worth of a sewing pattern:
- Factory folded and uncut
- Rarity of pattern
- Era of production
- Brand or designer
- Completeness of the pattern
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