Do public libraries typically carry vintage sewing patterns?
I would like to browse children’s sewing patterns from the 1950’s-1970’s and I am wondering if public libraries typically carry patterns that are now in the public domain. I am located in Brooklyn, NY if someone knows specifically about Brooklyn/Manhattan libraries, that would be particularly useful information.
No. There is a vintage pattern library of scanned envelope photos/drawings, but it is not public:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/free-access-to-the-vntage-pattern-library/ (note that access is
pay for it at this time.) There may be other collections; I would expect them in design school libraries, for instance, more so than in a public library.
Under current US law, the patterns you mention would not be public domain: they would still be in copyright, to the best of my knowledge.
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ15a.pdf
I’ve been to LA and went to FIDM, and in their library they had a bunch of that type of stuff. I know theres a few fashion schools in your area. Parsons and Prat..maybe their campus is a walk-in type. They would most likely have what your looking for. As for public libraries…try to go to a big one and maybe they will have something like that!
References :
They might, but I tend to see more in thrift stores.
References :
No. There is a vintage pattern library of scanned envelope photos/drawings, but it is not public:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/free-access-to-the-vntage-pattern-library/ (note that access is
pay for it at this time.) There may be other collections; I would expect them in design school libraries, for instance, more so than in a public library.
Under current US law, the patterns you mention would not be public domain: they would still be in copyright, to the best of my knowledge.
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ15a.pdf
References :
50 years of sewing