Friday, December 7, 2012

Loose change buys a lot at the opportunity shop



Sometimes it pays to look through three boxes of awful 1980s and '90s patterns at the op shop because you come across these for 20 cents each.


This one is my favourite. I love the drapey bit at the side. I also like that the woman in the middle looks like she's gazing lovingly at the woman on the right and holding onto her dress.
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26 comments:

  1. KatDecember 7, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    Nice finds! I love finding patterns at op shops. It's the first section I head to. My sister is here next week and we are going to do an op shopping day. I can't wait!!!

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 8, 2012 at 9:20 AM

      Me too, although there isn't often very good patterns in the op shops here. I hope you find lots of awesome things when you go op shopping with your sister.

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  2. MeghanDecember 7, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    Op shops are so ridden with 80s patterns, it's like "shoulder pads, oversized, oversized, enourmous pants" etc. Never do I find anything this good, I'm so jealous right now.

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 8, 2012 at 9:22 AM

      I know, so many terrible fashions. I don't usually find anything this good either.

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  3. VixDecember 7, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    There's always a dearth of huge shouldered jackets and leisure suit patterns, aren't there? Your persistence paid off, there's some beauties there! x

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  4. Miss Simmonds SaysDecember 7, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    wow!! what a find! I love those simple shift dresses!

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  5. CurtiseDecember 8, 2012 at 12:37 AM

    Fabulous patterns, and at bargain prices - perfect! I just love the illustrations, I really like the dress you picked out as your favourite. xxx

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 8, 2012 at 9:24 AM

      Yes, I thought the lady was going to say they were $1 each or something. I couldn't believe it when she said 20 cents.

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  6. MelanieDecember 8, 2012 at 3:33 AM

    Pattern lady obviously has a crush on that other pattern lady!
    And what a find! I too have trawled through boxes of hideous patterns, but have never struck gold as you have done!

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 8, 2012 at 9:25 AM

      Definitely. Those two pattern ladies would be super cute together. I usually don't get anything good although I always look through the patterns. I must have got lucky.

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  7. CATHY DANIELDecember 8, 2012 at 5:53 AM

    I remember these from my childhood! And those kids' knitting patterns with very weird looking babies and toddlers in ridiculous knitted outfits! In fact, I had to wear those outfits!! xCathy

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 8, 2012 at 9:26 AM

      Oh yes, I find those ugly kids' knitting patterns a lot. They are hilarious.

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  8. HelgaDecember 8, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    Were you at the Sallies in Papanui?! If so, I think I beat you to the best ones...that lovely one,with the side gather,I left behind as I was feeling guilty about buying such amazing patterns that weren't my size! I planned on showing you what I got,I suspect there's a couple up your alley.X

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 8, 2012 at 9:28 AM

      Yes! That's so funny that you left that one behind and then I picked it up. It's not actually my size either, but I'll grade it.

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  9. joyatriDecember 9, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    I'm so jealous that you are able to find patterns. I never find patterns at thrift stores here in the U.S. I just returned from 7 weeks in the UK and came home with about 8 vintage patterns. I found more but was limiting how much I had to carry back. I love your active imagination as it applies to the women in the side-draped dresses :)

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 12, 2012 at 1:21 PM

      I hardly ever find good ones here either. I thought US thrift stores were really good for patterns. Maybe it depends where you are. Ha, yeah, I do have an active imagination.

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  10. AnonymousDecember 10, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    Oh wow what a haul! I've never come across anything like this in the opshops here (although opshops here seem to be either junk or overpriced clothing XP). The dress with the waist gathers-the book I'm scanning at the moment has pattern-making instructions for that style-I'll put it up once I've figured out it's copyright status.

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 12, 2012 at 4:36 PM

      I don't usually come across good patterns like this either, although we have pretty good op shops here. That sounds great. I think they're actually pleats as opposed to gathers in the pattern.

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  11. AnonymousDecember 11, 2012 at 6:42 AM

    20 cents?!?! WHAT? So much better than the HOURS I spend drafting my own patterns!

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    1. Camelia CrinolineDecember 12, 2012 at 4:36 PM

      I know! I actually gave her $2 for the whole lot because I felt kind of bad that they were so cheap.

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  12. AnonymousDecember 12, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    This is the most exciting patterns find I've ever seen!They are so rare to score here, I think you come across a real treasure and that you are going to make a lot of great dresses so everyone could gaze at you with love and awe!

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  13. The Dainty Dolls HouseDecember 12, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    Love these patterns, they are super!! I love when I find something like this when I had to dig through terrible ones to find it, makes it even better :) x

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  14. mispapelicosDecember 13, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    I love your finds, my dearest friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  15. Louise McDecember 13, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    Such fabulous finds, I can't wait to see some of the frocks when you make them. It's great when you come across a stash like that isn't it? xx

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