Collections Information
Pattern collections from various institutions and some individuals are included in the Commercial Pattern Archive database. The idea is to cite the location of specific patterns if further information or work with the pattern is needed. All the collections represented here are available by appointment. None of the materials are circulating.
Four Collections are housed at the University of Rhode Island:
The Betty Williams Collection
The Joy Emery Collection
Fashion Institute of Technology
The University of Rhode Island Collection
University of Rhode Island Library, University Archives & Special Collections,
15 Lippitt Rd,
Kingston, RI 02881
Email : copa-group@uri.edu
The archive has over 63,000 patterns from the 1860s though 2010 cataloged in CoPA; 90% of the collection is scanned. Additional materials include an extensive collection of tailoring journals, fashion periodicals, pattern catalogs and books related to making garments and dating from the mid-19th century. The catalog of these materials can be found in the URI Library here. Additional materials include Betty Williams research papers.
Other Institutional Collections
Glenbow Museum
130 -9 Ave. S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2G 0P3
Contact: Marcia Slater, Collections Technician
phone:403-268-4239
fax:403-265-9769
e-mail: mslater@glenbow.org
Forty seven representive patterns from a large number of patterns in the Glenbow collection are in the database: no scanned images at this point.
Kevin L. Seligman Collection
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Balch Art Research Library
5900 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Contact: library@lacma.org
Phone: 323-857-6118
Over 18,000 patterns including many English patterns, Most Advance, Butterick, & McCalls patterns are scanned. Housed with the Balc Art Research Library, the archive encompasses patterns, journals with patterns, sewing and drafting equipment, tailoring and designing instructions, social commentaries, bills of sale, trade cards, and advertisements, which date from the early 19th century through the late 20th century. Pattern companies, such as Blackmore, Bestways, Butterick, Vogue, Le Coquet, Madame Maude, Hollywood, McCall, Weldons, and many others, are represented in this collection.
The full online finding aid for this collection is available via the Online Archive of California, hosted by the University of California.
The Fashion Museum Bath
Bath, EnglandContact: Elaine Uttley, Collections Manager
Phone: 44 - 1225 - 477754
E-mail: fashion_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk
About 1,500 patterns, primarily 20th C: particularly nice "make-do & mend" patterns from WWII & Vogue couturier patterns. Some patterns scanned.
Access policy: If you would like to see a selection of dressmaking patterns from the Fashion Museum collection, please contact us on fashion_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk to make an appointment in the Fashion Museum Study Facilities.
Please note, the Fashion Museum Bath is undergoing a major move to a new location and will be closed to the public until the year 2030.
RISD Museum of Art
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
Department of Costume & Textiles
224 Benefit St.
Providence, RI 02903
Contact: Kate Irvin, Curator
Phone: (401) 454-6514
FAX: (401) 454-6541
E-mail: kirvin@risd.edu
A few late 19th & early 20th C patterns scanned.
Royal Ontario Museum
Global Fashion & Textiles Department
100 Queen's Park
Toronto ON M5S 2C6
Canada
Contact: Sara Fee, Senior Curator
Phone 416-586-8057
FAX 416-586-5877
E-mail sarahf@rom.on.ca
Thirty-nine representive patterns from over a large number of patterns in the FIT collection are in the database; no scanned images at this point.
Sterling Historical Society
David Gibbs, Curator
7 Pine Street
PO Box 365
Sterling MA 01564
Phone: 978-422-6139
E-mail:info@sterlinghistorical.org
A good representation of very early Butterick patterns and papers related to Ebinezier Buttereick's early years in Sterling. Open hours vary.
University Nevada-Reno
Contact information is not available at this time.CoPA contains 390 patterns from 1950s to 1970: no scanned images at this point.
Individual Collectors
Deanna Hendriks-West
Dewberry, Alberta --T0B1G0Canada
Phone: 780-847-2364
Email: deannahw@telusplanet.net
Contact information is not available at this time. CoPA contains 600 patterns to 1970.