Welcome to Vintage Pattern School

Want to learn about a specific pattern company? Find our comprehensive list of pattern companies and research here.

Pattern companies printed catalogs for their patterns. These were set out on counters at dry goods stores, fabric shops, department stores and anywhere else patterns were sold. They are hard to find, but an excellent resource for accurately dating sewing patterns by number and illustration.

See the different ways that pattern companies illustrated and promoted their new patterns in seasonal quarterlies.

Several pattern companies published their own magazines. Click here to read more!

Find out more about accurately dating your sewing patterns.

Find out how to repair tears, protect patterns from damage, and store your collection.

Learn about the different ways that pattern companies partnered with other businesses to market patterns.