Years ago when I lived in Florida, I'd wait for JoAnne's to have their sale on their patterns. Then I'd sit down at their table and go thru all the pattern books, write down the pattern #'s I wanted and stock up. Sometimes I'd go a day or two ahead as others were getting the same idea.

It's crazy what you pay for tissue paper ,

There is absolutely no legal reason not to use a pattern more than once. If someone added that verbiage to their pattern, it is not enforceable. You can also give or sell the pattern to someone else when you are done with it. (But don't keep a copy.)

I don't sew clothing anymore since I'm not talented enough to get a good fit and can find what I usually wear (jeans and a t-shirt) pretty easily elsewhere. But some of the fabrics in my stash would look so nice made into a blouse - makes me think.

oh my goodness! no way!! I bought a long bathrobe pattern off ebay for about $25.00 mainly because i couldn't find one elsewhere. but not $250.00!!!

I only purchase patterns on sale at JoAnn's ($1.99) now if their is a pattern I really want and I find it on ebay I never go over $8.00 and that price includes the shipping. The patterns I purchase on ebay are out of date very old.

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*** Yes, patterns are outrageous. They were 29 cents when I started sewing.
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*** Wait until JAF of Hobby Lobby puts them on sale for $1. or $1.99 (limit 5) and get them then.
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*** That is the only time I can afford to buy them.
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*** That is about $50. worth for $5.
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maybe the decimal was in the wrong place,
most patterns are $12-18, but i buy mine on sale for $1.

I only buy patterns when JoAnn's has then on special, McCall's, Simplicity, etc. for $1.99 or so, I can't afford them otherwise on our fixed income. I wonder if anyone ever buys those patterns for the price on the pattern, as I certainly would not.

You see ridiculously high prices on Ebay because the seller is out of stock, but doesn't want to have to make a new listing later. The high price is their 'place holder' until they get more stock. They know you won't buy at that price, so they don't need to worry about not being able to fulfill an order when they are OOS. When they get more stock they will adjust the price back to normal.

You are paying for a lot more than tissue paper. The paper is only the 'vehicle' to get the information to you, info such as where to cut, how many to cut, grainline and how to sew. Have you ever drawn out your own patterns for a garment? They would be worth so much more than the paper you drew them on.