If you love vintage patterns, then get over to the Commercial Pattern Archive (CoPA) at the Univeristy of Rhode Island. They are allowing free access to their database of vintage patterns until Tuesday, September 25, 2009. To get free access, use “guest” as the username and “pattern” as the password. Go the to Commercial Pattern Archive (CoPA).
(As of Saturday night, I could not log into the database. I don’t know if it’s an error on my part, or if there is a technical glitch on their side. In spite of this, I’m going ahead and posting the now because the clock is ticking. Hopefully you will have better luck than I in accessing the database.)
[via Wipster]
[tags]sewing, vintage, pattern, database, CoPA, Commercial Pattern Archive[/tags]
As of Sunday morning, I couldn’t get in either.
I got in this morning, but it says it is one week only, through August 25, not September.
I was a bit disappointed, because none of the patterns I looked at had the instruction sheet. I’m not good enough to figure most of it out without some guidance. But, it was fun looking at them.
I just got on without a problem. Their enlarging function, however, is not working, so none of the patterns print to scale. I’m still going to save the jpgs and possibly enlarge sketching them out by hand.
I got in! Lots of neat stuff to look at. I guess actually pattern pieces to scale and instructions are not available?
Saw this on another site and was able to get in on Friday. Found a bunch of patterns that I really like too.
My problem is that the only thing I could figure out to copy was the envelop face and drawings of the patterns pieces. I don’t know how much (what %) to enlarge the pieces.
I just logged in successfully, but I can’t see to figure out how to view and print the patterns themselves…
So exciting to think of having access to great vintage patterns… .
Not sure if it’s too late to try, but for those of you who were able to enjoy CoPA’s offer – how fabulous!
Just being able to see the pattern illustrations will be great.
At the blog Frugal Luxuries By The Seasons, I found this link – but the offer must have expired.
Perhaps CoPA will renew the offer in the future. I would be so happy if someone lets me know, if so!
Loving vintage patterns and illustrations, I am excited even seeing the word “Deltor” because I know there’s an antique pattern for exploration.
By the way, Frugal Luxuries has some great old pattern illustrations displayed with the post linking to this CoPA announcement, so for those of you who were too late to jump on the bandwagon – take solace in knowing you can at least view some nice vintage artwork there at Frugal Luxuries.