tracing patterns

[boricuaqueen327]

I am going to buy some patterns today to get some things to work with in a sewing class i signed up for. i want to get some in toddler sizes to make some fleece pants to sue over diapers this winter. however i want to be able to make all the sizes, not just one so i dont want to cut the pattern just yet. i traced the doll pattern i sued last week onto posterboard and it is great becuase it's easy to trace onto the fabric but obviously i can't see through posterboard to get the diferent sizes for toddler clothes. what do you guys suggest i trace through? also, i will have to get butterick, mccalls, or simplicity patterns (the only available here) are there any u guys suggest for ease?

[Kari_mom]

I use regular white tissue paper like you would use for wrapping gifts to trace patterns most of the time. It is cheap and comes in big pieces. If I think I will use the pattern a lot, I use non-fusible interfacing from the fabric store. It is nice to use because it kind of sticks to the fabric, you don't need pins. I use a sharpie marker to trace.

Of the three pattern companies you listed, I prefer Butterick. McCalls is second, Simplicity is a distant third. I also really like New Look, I think the clothing is cuter and all the patterns are always $2.94 at Wal-Mart and JoAnns.

Good luck with your sewing class, I hope you learn lots and have fun!

[boricuaqueen327]

sorry if this is dumb, but what is interfacing? i have not heard of that before.... thanks for replying.

[tuffykenwell]

I get the paper that they top the doctors office exam tables with at a medical supply store...serious cheap, very plentiful and sturdy enough if you are only going to use the pattern a few times each.

HTH

Steph

[NannaJewel]

interfacing is the stuff that is sord of like a press paper that you use to put in colors etc to make it stiff.

I have used interfacing, rolls of the exam room paper (can be purchased a helath supply stores) and I have also gone to the hardware store and bought vapor plastic (the stuff that is plastic and comes in different thicknesses and is used in building houses)

I like interfacing the best because it holds up the longest and does not slip while cutting out.

[abranger]

I have made tons of things from this book

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

[LoveBaby]

Originally Posted by abranger

I have made tons of things from this book

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

kwik sew patterns and directions are awesome!! I definately reccommend them, too! the sizing is much better, IMO than the Big 3 (mccalls, simplicity, butterick) and the pattern paper is a heavier weight so it's much easier to use!

have fun at your class!

[Molly C]

I just did this last week. My mom gave me a package of painter's dropcloths, which are a thicker paper. It doesn't tear like regular tissue paper, and I think it will stand up well if I use the pattern over and over again. I made a top and pants set, and I think I will definitely make the pants at least several times in the same size.

When I transfer pattern sizes, though I keep the original on top, and trace over it with the wheely thing (yes - that's a technical term!) and transfer paper. That way you can see everything you are doing, and you aren't limited to using paper that you can see through. This is how my mom has done it for years (she was a home ec teacher) so I figure if that's the way she does it, then it is fine for me.

FWIW, the pattern I used last week was the first baby pattern I have ever done, so I can't compare it to other brands. But I made a small from a McCall's pattern, which should equate to a 0-3 month size, and it came out much larger than commercially made 0-3M stuff. In other words, I would say it has a lot of ease, and I think the pants will easily accomadate cloth diapers.

[LeosMama]

For diapers patterns, which of course I use over and over again, I cut out the biggest part of the pattern and trace around it onto cardboard. Then I cut out the next biggest and trace it, and so on. Then I make sure to label them all correctly! and cut them out with an exacto knife and box cutter. You never have to pin, the cardboard doesn't slide around or get wrinkled or bunch up when you're tracing around it. Very sturdy and great! I carefully drill holes in it where the snaps go and use an ultra fine point sharpie to poke through the holes to draw my snap placement. Did that make sense?

-Lindsay