Technical stuff today…
Everybody has their own method of tracing out patterns; I thought I’d show here how I’m currently doing mine.
A few years ago our eldest had a Glitterati party where a “red carpet” was required, so I visited Spotlight and bought a 30m roll of red plastic tablecloth. Specifically a 122cm x 30.5m roll. Or 100 ft. Yes, last time I was in Spotlight I did go and check these dimensions for accuracy in reporting here. I’m that committed …
We used about half of this down our front path and along our hallway for the party. As well as being a fun prop for the theme of the party it was an absolute godsend when it came to clean-up time afterwards, just imagine; winter party, bit of mud and wet leaves being trekked in on people’s shoes, spilled drinks and food etc… fantastic to just bundle it all up inside the “carpet” after; bingo, clean floor! Highly recommended…
Anyhoo, I digress as usual; the rest of this plastic tablecloth roll just sat in the cupboard-under-the-stairs gathering dust… then I read a reader’s tip in Threads about using clear plastic to trace patterns. And wondered how well the tablecloth plastic would work for this purpose…
And imo, this stuff is perfect for the task. I would never go back to paper. Although the next time I buy some I think I’ll go for ivory…
Firstly it is translucent enough that tracing is quite possible, easy even. Far easier than the butcher’s paper I was previously using … It’s quite thin and very light. Cheap, another plus.
Yes, I admit; kinda tacky stuff when considered for it’s real role, but highly desirable for tracing purposes…
It can easily be drawn on, and as the plastic is tougher than paper it will not rip or shred as easily. Plus the folds don’t hold like they do with paper, making it easier to re-use the patterns again.
Once I’ve traced, cut out and used my patterns, I store all the patterns from the one book or magazine all together in one large re-cycled envelope, and keep the envelope along with the book, for future use.
What do you use for tracing? And what factors made you choose it?
I use actual pattern paper that sweet hubby bought me for christmas last year – I have this ginormous roll that is four feet wide. It is also printed with guides every inch which, when I learn to draft my own patterns some day, will be enormously useful. I can see the plastic would be superbly useful esp. from the durability and folding standpoint.
My biggest problem is finding a light colored smooth surface to trace on. Our smooth floors are dark(so is our table), so I either have to put a layer of white paper underneath, or use the tile in our entry / kitchen (similar to yours) – but that isn't super smooth. Or wait until hobby night at our church when we have these wonderful big white tables, and then just spend the evening tracing patterns. As slow as I am these days, that's worked for the last round …
Ooh, neat! Always nifty to find another option out there. I'm currently just using Burda brand pattern tissue, bought because I needed some very wide pieces for making my winter coat,but I'm always on the lookout for something better.
Re. the previous comment, no, I'm not offended at all! (And I apologize if gave that impression, it was not my intent.) I'm not a French Immersion teacher but my kids are in Immersion… Franglais is a feature of daily life in our house :). The immersion teachers spend a lot of time at the schools trying to get the kids to speak real French, rather than Franglais, that is all.
I use tissue paper, originally sold as tissue wrapping paper, from the dollar store, in white. It's cheap and easy to trace my favorite Burda patterns. When I need large pieces, I scotch tape them together. This works for me, as I generally don't use any given pattern more than twice. I like your idea of plastic for TNT patterns. I love your blog, BTW and always look forward to your daily entry.
Great post. I just recently acquired a roll of this stuff from a thrift store to use for tracing patterns. I haven't given it a try yet. Thanks for sharing the storage tip. I will definitely do it that way now. What I've used for tracing in the past is a roll of medical examination table paper that I purchase at a medical supply store for under $4 a roll. They are big rolls. Sorry. But I don't have the dimensions right off hand. It works great. Another reason I got the plastic is because of its drape, it might work well as a muslin. What do you think?
I use newsprint and carbon paper. However, I ran out of newsprint recently, so I've been taping printer paper together and using my serrated tracing wheel. The plastic tablecloth looks like a great idea. Thanks!
I've actually been buying and using 3 feet by 50 feet rolls of tracing paper. I'm currently waiting for a roll to arrive, since you can't find anything like that here. But there is a party store that may carry what you are using. I am going to have to check that out and give it a try. I never would have thought you could see through it well enough to trace. How cool.
Very clever. I never see anything like this here in the UK though.
I think you must be some kind of genius! In America, especially in the cities, you can find that kind of plastic sheeting everywhere.
I've been using tracing paper that I've had to jigsaw together, so I love that this option comes large enough AND cheap enough to make that unnecessary!
Eckersley Art Supplies sell large rolls of tracing paper which is perfect weight for patterns. I'm not sure if they have shops in Perth.
Wonderful idea, using the tablecloths. I have been reusing old patterns that never got sewn and I trace in red marker. I also have rolls from 30 years ago when I was in architecture school. It was nicknamed "bumwad": ivory colored paper just like pattern tissue. But I like the plastic idea … and as Trudy says, would make for a nicely draping muslin… better than paper
When I started with Burda and Kwik Sew I traced the patterns with homebrand baking paper, as I always used that as a kid for tracing stuff. Then I got onto the cheap rolls of interfacing. That stuff is great as it doesn't need pins, but the latest batch I have is stretch and not at all that great that I have gone back to the baking paper.
Now that's an interesting idea – I imagine it'd be easier to pin fit than any kind of paper. And red! How exciting!
I use medical exam table paper. I bought a case of it, so it should last me years.
Cool idea. I don't do much pattern sewing at the moment.. or clothes for me. I have sewn a few little girls clothes so have just been using greaseproof paper or just normal printer paper as that was all I had on hand! Not ideal of course but perhaps when I start to sew more things for myself, then I'll buy the better stuff.
And I put all the pattern pieces together in a plastic sleeve and in a box… or yeah, in the book.
And yeah.. my neighbourhood isn't *as* dodgy as I made it sound but there are late night walkers who carry their beer bottles with them and chose to dispose of them on our front verge or in the branch of our front tree. UGH.
xo MODELmumma
I usually use the non fusible Vilene – thin – see thru, doesn't retain the folds – but if I had a roll of plastic tablecloth I'd use that as well.
That's a great idea! I might think of getting some next time I'm in Spotlight.
The last time I traced a pattern I did something a little weird. I was in the process of moving, so I didn't have any normal paper with me. Instead I cut white garbage bags in half, blu-tacked them to my Burda pattern sheet and subsequently tacked that up on my wall! I spent several hours with a nikko tracing and cutting that horrible stuff. Still haven't worked up the courage to trace the plastic bag patterns onto brown paper :S Probably won't be repeating that again, but it gave me something else to think about other than packing!
Oh, good idea. I use medical tracing paper. Only because it's cheaper than pattern tracing stuff from the store. I think though, I'm going to have to go the tracing wheel route with the paper underneath. The new patterns are too hard for me with the bad lighting in my basement. Although, I did just order a task lamp.
This is such a great post! I do the exact same thing but my my plastic tablecloth is white. I can see through it perfectly no matter the lighting. Then I store my patterns in the clear recloseable sheet protectors I've made.
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