[JennInSeattle]

This is probably a really easy answer but I searched through archives and didn't feel like I found it..

When I make a diaper I take my pattern and trace it onto whatever material I'm using. Then I do that two more times on two other fabrics per diaper. Then I cut them all out with scissors.

Today I'm getting a rotary cutter and mat - I don't mind picking up magnets and a metal sheet layer at the hardware store too. And I'm going to get fusible interfacing to strenthen my pattern.

But my question is, am I not supposed to be tracing my pattern constantly? I rarely hear anyone say they are and usually not in the same context I'm speaking of.

So, do you trace?

 

[Kari_mom]

That is an interesting question, Jenn. I have heard of people who just cut around the pattern with their rotary cutter, so maybe that is the direction where you are going. You might need a pattern made of cardboard for that, or I read on a diapersewing board that someone had acrylic patterns made. I think she was a wahm though.

When I cut out diapers, I trace the pattern once on the reverse side of the inside layer. My pattern does not include seam allowances. I then cut it roughly to shape, in a general rectangle way. I cut the additional layers in the same rough shape. I pin the layers together, sew on the marked seamline, trim the seam allowances to 1/4 inch, add the elastic, turn and topstitch. I find this gives me more accuracy and less work. It is less work because I don't cut out each layer separately and I don't have edges to keep aligned while sewing.

Okay, so now I am interested in hearing what others do.

 

[TOmomma]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'm having a stupid day.

I just cut around the pattern. The first time I cut through the paper, but every other time just around the outside. With my rotary cutter I try to cut a zillion layers at the same time to save effort.

I guess after a while the pattern will get ratty, but I usually don't make enough from one pattern for this to happen. With my VB pattern, I traced it on to tissue paper anyway, so I can just do this again if (when!) it gets ratty.

 

[twouglyducks]

Not sure I get what you're saying either. But I got a huge roll of newsprint paper for free from the local newspaper. I trace the pattern onto that, write the size and pattern used and cut around that. Usually folded in half on a fold in my fabric so that both sides are identical. I also use a rotary cutter and mat. If it's a pattern I like and will be using a lot I cover it it clear packing tape.

Before, I just used old newspapers and ads that came in the mail to trace patterns but it was hard to write on them and see it sometimes. And I like patterns so I have probably 60 diaper patterns floating around here. :LOL

Most I don't use, but like to keep them just in case.

 

[JennInSeattle]

Great answers so far! My big question is if you have the pattern, are you tracing around it with a pen before cutting it out with the rotary cutter?

 

[twouglyducks]

Oh, I see. Nope. I don't trace. That is just an extra step to do and I don't get tons of time to cut and sew, so I don't do it.

I actually use cans of food to hold the pattern ends down, then hold the wings down with my fingers while I cut around them.

 

[JennInSeattle]

Ok, so then I get that some people cut a little bigger than the pattern so they don't cut the pattern while others re-enforce the pattern with fusible interfacing and clear box tape?

 

[rubidoux]

I usually don't trace, but i just got a used serger and thought it might be a good idea for that at least the first few. And i did it like the previous poster, tracing on one layer and then cutting the stack of layers all at once. Seemed to work out great although i haven't made the diaper yet.

Umm, can't figure out how to use my serger.

as for making a pattern. i trace onto pattern ease that i get at joann's for something like 1.75 a yard. one of the on line diaper shops sells it, too, maybe diapershoppe.com, not sure which one. but i love, love, love this stuff. it holds up very well. i have used the darling diapers pattern i made from it probably more than 20 times now and it doesn't show any sign of wearing. Plus, i just love that it has a 1" square grid. makes all kinds of things easier -- like if i decide he needs an extra inch in one direction or the other it would be very easy to retrace the pattern on this stuff without needing a ruler or anything. and if you wanted to applique something or it would make it very easy to center. i totally dig this stuff.

J.

 

[JennInSeattle]

Thanks Jayne! I'll be looking for pattern ease and go with fusible interfacing if I can't find it!

Good luck figuring out that serger, if you do make it work then you'll have to show me pictures!!

 

[mehndi mama]

The only pieces I trace onto the fabric are small things like menstrual pad pieces - those are hard to get around and into the tight curves without cutting into the pattern piece. Anything else, I just weight down the paper pattern (I trace off patterns onto Dr.'s office exam table paper, and anything that I use heavily gets put onto brown kraft paper) and zip around it with the rotary cutter. All seam allowances are added right to my pattern, so I'm always cutting flush with the edge.
Any rectangular pieces are not cut with a pattern, but with a cutting ruler. I also try to do as many layers as possible (about 6 when I'm working with t-shirts), and use a 60mm cutter (the gigantic pizza-cutter size

)
It takes practice. I've been using a rotary cutter & paper patterns since I was 12, so I'm used to it. So definitely allow yourself a learning curve!

 

[rubelin]

I trace around just about all my patterns. I learned to do it from the sample makers I worked when I was an assistant designer. It's more precise than cutting around the pattern and ends up being faster to cut on a line than worrying if hte pattern is shifting. If I'm gonna use a pattern more than a few times, I copy it onto hard paper (what manila folders are made out of) to make it more sturdy, and save the original to copy agian later if the copy gets mangled.