Love vintage sewing and the needle arts?

We do too -- and when we're not growing orchids we're busy hunting down great vintage sewing, embroidery and needlework patterns and information (especially items from the late 1800s to the 1950s). But it's always a joy to find something special -- no matter what its age or the type of needlework -- and you may find just about anything that's caught our fancy here at the Sewing Palette.

So look around, enjoy, and do come back often. Some of what we have here is for sale, some of it is free, and some of it is just for general information.

← Exceptional style and hard-to-find patterns are our specialty -- like this strapless dress pattern from our Evening and Bridal Patterns page.

  What's New - March 2008

Changes to ordering process

• Buy Now buttons have been added as a shortcut to purchase a single item. The shopping cart (Add to Cart and View Cart buttons) works better if you're browsing or buying several patterns. But if you just want one, look for the Buy Now button toward the bottom of item pages. All pages except Vogart have been updated -- they'll be done this week.

• Mail orders are always welcome, but we have eliminated the online form and now ask that you email your order to us. It's not as convenient, but between customer typos on their emails and spam filters, the old system just wasn't working.

• International customers can now use the shopping cart (or Buy Now buttons) to check out and pay online -- the flat rate for Global Priority Mail will be added automatically at checkout. We are no longer shipping standard airmail because the delivery time has increased.

• Need help? Visit our How to Order and Shipping Info pages have more information and samples of the buttons and checkout screens.

Pattern Rescue expansion - recycle, trade, search

Pattern Rescue is a separate site founded to help collectors and enthusiasts locate replacement pieces for their damaged or incomplete vintage sewing patterns. User suggestions led to a major site update and expansion, launched December 2007 -- you can now recycle or trade unwanted sewing patterns, get help looking for complete patterns, and request copies of small pattern pieces missing from your vintage patterns. Stop by and see what's new!

Congratulations to APT of Hilo, Hawaii, who was the winner of our 12th free pattern giveaway that ended December 15, 2007. The giveaway featured the lovely Vogart 147 pillowcase embroidery transfer shown at right. Thanks to all who entered!

Arrived too late? Check out our recently added Vogart master guide, an online catalog of the vintage transfer line. For more information about hot-iron transfer patterns and the companies who made them, start with the Vintage Transfers Overview.

Our free pattern giveaways are on hold for a while as we get Pattern Rescue's new services started (see above).

Recent additions and upcoming pages

Some of our most recent new pages include one of 1915-1916 Needlework Magazines for sale, plus an Overview and Buying Guide to vintage publications.

More vintage sewing patterns are being added to the Clothing pages as we unpack more boxes. The one we're working on now has some wonderful Vogue and plus-size patterns we expect to have posted in early April.

Also in the works: a collection of vintage transfer patterns featuring colonial gals, southern belles and sunbonnet sues.

For monthly updates of new patterns, transfers, and reference articles, join our mailing list:

  People write to us, we write back, they don't. Change your mind? No problem. Think we didn't answer? Absolutely wrong. If you recognize yourself here, do get in touch....

• Willie in MS - Payment came through with an old email address. Was trying to let you know that your Vogart transfer pattern will be shipped Tuesday Jan 8.