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LOVED These as a Kid – Repeating Pattern Colouring Sheets from the Late ’70s"

33 replies

PivotalTonight · 29/05/2025 14:12

Just as the title says.

These were white sheets with thin black lines, similar in style to today’s mindful colouring books—but with a key difference: they featured repeating patterns.

The patterns varied across the page, and part of the appeal was finding and picking out different ones within the same sheet.
You could interpret them in your own way, discovering multiple designs as you looked closer.
I absolutely loved them and haven’t been able to find anything quite like them since.

Anyone know?

OP posts:
ThePoshUns · 29/05/2025 14:37

Altair designs I think they were called? I loved them
too

Original poster
PivotalTonight · 29/05/2025 16:14

ThePoshUns · 29/05/2025 14:38

YES!

Thank you so much, I have looked and looked…and not just this year!

Order placed!

OP posts:
ThePoshUns · 29/05/2025 16:21

Ah fabulous

DontStopMe · 29/05/2025 19:01

I remember those! I spent many happy hours colouring them in.

oldmanandtheangel · 29/05/2025 19:10

omg the sheer JOY these gave me!

Spidey66 · 29/05/2025 19:12

I was thinking about these recently, as I love colouring books and recently bought a couple of geometric ones.

XiCi · 30/05/2025 07:28

There's also one of the old Altair books being sold by a marketplace seller on Amazon

ToriTheStoryteller · 30/05/2025 07:33

Loved these! We also had a huuuuge (I know I was a child but I reckon they were at least a metre long even thinking about them now) Doodle Art posters to colour in. They came in a long tube with their own felt tips.

MorrisZapp · 30/05/2025 08:38

I'd love to meet Ensor Holiday 😊

ThePoshUns · 30/05/2025 08:40

I amazed myself that I could remember the name of them, especially as most days I can’t remember why I’ve walked into a room.

Snooks1971 · 30/05/2025 08:44

ToriTheStoryteller · 30/05/2025 07:33

Loved these! We also had a huuuuge (I know I was a child but I reckon they were at least a metre long even thinking about them now) Doodle Art posters to colour in. They came in a long tube with their own felt tips.

I got one of these for Christmas once! Ahhh happy memories! And yes, the tube was massive!

Choconuts · 30/05/2025 09:34

Thanks OP I had forgotten how much I loved these. I’m going to order myself one now!

Arraminta · 30/05/2025 09:55

ToriTheStoryteller · 30/05/2025 07:33

Loved these! We also had a huuuuge (I know I was a child but I reckon they were at least a metre long even thinking about them now) Doodle Art posters to colour in. They came in a long tube with their own felt tips.

Oh God, that brings back such happy memories! I once spent a whole Summer colouring in a huge jungle scene whilst slightly high on the (no doubt) toxic fumes from the felt tip pens.

Shcab · 30/05/2025 12:40

Altair! My best friend and I loved these. Hours and hours spent colouring them in. One of these books plus a new set of brush tip felt pens was the best present ever.

BertieBotts · 31/05/2025 07:38

Pattern Pads! I used to buy them from Woolworths in the 90s.

I have found a few things similar as an adult but nothing exactly the same.

I liked cutting them out and using them as bedding and decoration for Playmobil people and their houses I made them in shoeboxes.

sillygoof · 31/05/2025 10:27

I might be buying some of these for Christmas presents now…

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 31/05/2025 10:29

I used to get posters for the wall to colour. Like 6 foot ones!! I was an only dc and lived for reading and pens!! There was Under The Sea and Butterflies... Huge things.

Enigma53 · 31/05/2025 10:36

I’ve just ordered one, Thankyou!
It will make a good chemo distraction activity 😊

OchreSnail · 31/05/2025 15:13

ToriTheStoryteller · 30/05/2025 07:33

Loved these! We also had a huuuuge (I know I was a child but I reckon they were at least a metre long even thinking about them now) Doodle Art posters to colour in. They came in a long tube with their own felt tips.

I had these! Especially remember an under the sea one, with all the little fishes. And the Altair design pads... Happy days!

ThePoshUns · 31/05/2025 15:56

Enigma53 · 31/05/2025 10:36

I’ve just ordered one, Thankyou!
It will make a good chemo distraction activity 😊

good luck with your treatment x

Original poster
PivotalTonight · 31/05/2025 20:30

I am so pleased that it isn't just me that loved them.

I love being able to see differing patterns in them and deciding which to pick out.

OP posts:
RightOnTheEdge · 31/05/2025 20:37

I absolutely loved those big posters that came in the tube, the felt tips that came with them were the best.
I remember the jungle one and under the sea and one with hot air balloons.
I'd love one of those again.

PrincessOfPreschool · 31/05/2025 20:39

Yes Altair designs. I used to love these. You could make the patterns so different depending how you coloured it. I used to enjoy doing the same one as mum and sister and seeing how differently they turned out.

ticketto · 31/05/2025 20:41

I am going to order one . I love colouring with my grandchild so now grandma can have her own colouring book !!

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