I have a soft spot for vintage patterns, as most sewers do. I buy them up by the box-fulls at garage sales or even on ebay. 

However, the University of Rhode Island has created the Commercial Pattern Archive that gives you access to more than 48,000 vintage patters, opening up a whole new world of patterns and styles that date back to the 19th century. The Archive is an official project of Save America’s Treasures. 

The database is well-organized and searchable to help you find looks from the years 1868 to 2000. 

The online archive is available for an annual fee of $120 per year for an individual. You can also get the entire collection for $360 on a CD Rom. There is also a group membership fee that would be a great option for your local ASG chapter or sewing group. You can get a 30-person membership for only $220.

The CoPA is an amazing resource for not only browsing vintage styles for inspiration, but it’s also a fashion history course in itself unveiling the history of garment construction and even body proportion.

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