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From: sewnew2
Date: 05-24-2004, 12:41 PM (1 of 16)
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Hi all, I purchased some Dritz tracing paper, and went to trace with a wheel my pattern. I put the pattern on top of the fabric with the tracing paper between the pattern and the fabric, colored side against the fabric. I found I had to press really hard with the wheel to get the color to adhere to the fabric! I was pressing so hard that the paper pattern was cutting out on the pattern line! As this defeats my purpose of tracing (patterns are on both side of a master pattern heavy white paper meant to be transfered) I am wonding what to do? I had just purchased my tracing paper from a button and sewing store. Could my tracing paper be too old? Could it have been sitting on a shelf too long? Is there a better brand of wax free tracing paper? I ended up reinforcing the pattern with Scotch tape on the original, and really having to bear down on the tracing wheel to be able to get some barely visible lines on my fabric. Any tips you care to give would be appreciated! Heather
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User: sewnew2
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 70 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-24-2004, 01:07 PM (2 of 16)
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Heather, 2 solutions... I have never had success with a tracing wheel.. so I quit trying.. 1. Go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and buy a package of Tissue wrapping paper.. 20 or more sheets for $ 1.00... Lay on top of pattern and trace with a pencil or ballpoint pen.. 2. If you have a Lowes (home improvment store, not the grocer) Go there and buy a roll of "Soil Seperator Cloth" in the plumbing supplies department.. This is a fabric that resembles lightweight interfacing , but is strong enough to sew, if you care to..I make my patterns with this, and I have found that a child's crayon is the easiest marking tool to use.. This roll is 300 feet long and the 24 inch wide roll is $18.00.. It also comes in 36 inches wide and 48 inches wide. This is the best buy of course, if you trace a lot of patterns.. I do, because I make gifts of garments for my grands, friends, and other relatives.. Saves me tons of money.. That roll cost about what 2 patterns would cost, and look how many I can duplicate in the different sizes I need.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-24-2004, 02:01 PM (3 of 16)
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The newer tracing papers do not always show up so well. I think that this is because they usually can be guaranteed to wash out or fade. I've had a little better luck with the Singer tracing papers. As an alternative, you might start using tailors tacks to mark your patterns...a little more trouble...but of course, since it is done with thread, easy to remove. They are accomplished by going through the dots on the pattern in the same spots...dead center, edge, whichever you feel is easiest, with a long double thread...leave space a long "tail" at the top and cut off....I usually start at the beginning of the dot on top and come up on the other side...so that I have a unbroken piece of thread at the bottom. After you have marked the pattern, pull the tissue (only) off the cloth. Then, holding on to the bottom fabric, seperate the layers so that you can clip the threads between the fabrics...this gives you a thread "marker" on each piece. When you go to make your darts, match each of your tailor tacks and sew. Some people use contrast color thread to do these, some prefer the same color. If you use the same color, it may not be easy to see when you make your darts.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mamagoose
Date: 05-25-2004, 07:41 PM (4 of 16)
| It works better if you have an extra layer or two of fabric underneath your pattern fabric to serve as a cushion, rather than directly on a table or cutting mat surface. |
User: mamagoose
Member since: 01-26-2002 Total posts: 168 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-25-2004, 10:25 PM (5 of 16)
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Be careful that you don't use something that might transfer...like a magazine or newsprint. When I was learning we used a magazine, but sometimes they transfered.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sewserious
Date: 05-26-2004, 07:30 AM (6 of 16)
| The patterns are meant to be traced onto paper or something similar before using. LeapFrogLibby had it right when she said to trace the pattern onto something. You then use the traced pattern instead of the 'bought' one. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112 
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From: sewnew2
Date: 05-26-2004, 07:41 AM (7 of 16)
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Grrr! Then why do they advertise and instruct one to "trace directly onto the fabric"? How frustrating. I could eliminate 3 steps of tracing, cutting out the pattern, pinning and cutting the fabric if I could just trace the marks directly onto the fabric!! I will try cushioning the fabric with a few extra fabric layers underneath as was suggested. I won't give up yet! 
Heather
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User: sewnew2
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 70 |
From: sewserious
Date: 05-27-2004, 07:09 AM (8 of 16)
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What pattern company is this? I haven't used any that promote tracing the entire pattern directly to fabric or are you talking about the tracing paper? If you take the time to copy the pattern, you will have it to use over and over again. It is also easier to make fitting changes on a copy. You can 'tissue-fit' the pattern first while preserving the original for use. I don't think that dressmaker tracing paper was meant to be used to trace whole patterns. The sheets are small and I was always taught it was to be used for marking darts, notches, dots, etc. I have some that is years old that I can still use because that is all I use it for. |
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003 Total posts: 112
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From: paroper
Date: 05-27-2004, 08:47 AM (9 of 16)
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That is all I use it for too....I recently threw away some of the paper I bought in 1966 (high school)...better tracing paper than what we use now but it was absolutely shreaded. If I trace off my patterns, I use a pencil and paper (and sometimes a light box)and I trace them before I pin. I also sometimes use tailors tacks on darts and pocket markings in place of tracing paper. Also, in rereading the original post, You put the tracing paper between the fabric layers touching the wrong side (to avoid transfer to the right side of your fabric) and then trace....that keeps the wheel from eating up your tracing paper and the paper needs the padding of the fabric to transfer.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: weB2cats
Date: 07-03-2004, 11:11 PM (10 of 16)
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Or, after you have cut the piece out (as in a dress front), you can individually trace out the dart on the right side first. Then trace the left side. Although this is a bit more work, the end results make it worth the effort. I'm not sure I've understood how you placed the paper onto your fabric. You never want markings to show on the right sides and some tracings don't come out, even though claims are to the contrary. So, I'll assume that you already know to put tracings on the wrong side of each garment piece. I'm still waiting for Dritz to sell packets of yellow paper only. And purple papers in tablet sheets maybe. I wonder why it's taking them so long to offer what sewers really want. |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-04-2004, 12:38 AM (11 of 16)
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It would be nice for Dritz to do that! I've been waiting for 35 years for that day! I think they do that so you have to buy all those "funny" colors. I use some white on black too though.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: weB2cats
Date: 07-04-2004, 10:07 AM (12 of 16)
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If the fabric color waarants, I'll also use the navy and red pieces. But I seem to use the yellow more and there is never enough. I'm sure Dritz could maintain the "variety pack" but also offer in standard crayon colors. Hey, why no Green in the mix? They have purple after all. |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-05-2004, 01:19 PM (13 of 16)
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Yes, I noticed that she talked about tracing the whole pattern piece instead of darts, tucks, etc.. like you are supposed to.. That is why I suggested she trace the pattern piecs onto another medium.. Of course that little wheel with all the bumps is going to cut thru that thin pattern tissue and 'cut it out' for you. I used to use tracing paper for darts, tucks, and pleats, but got frustrated about the colors of paper, so I went back to chalk marking pencils and marking with the metal of the pin as my guide.. It works for me, as long as I keep my pencil point sharp..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: sewnew2
Date: 07-06-2004, 09:51 AM (14 of 16)
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Hi all, since I got the book "Fit for Real People" I have been tissue fitting with great success and have been tracing the whole pattern off on onto tissue paper then cutting it out, tissue fitting, then pinning that to the fabric then cutting the fabric. I have been using the tracing color paper and wheel for dart markings, etc, and still find that the quality of the tracing is really awful. I have to press the wheel very firmly to get a very faint dart mark that rubs off fairly easily and quickly. The pin method and the tailor's tacks I might resort to but they seem like more trouble compared to tracing. Tracing with the color paper should be much easier. They just need to make a better tracing paper. Perhaps they do make a better tracing paper, but I have yet to find it. I will try the Singer tracing papers suggested by Pam. Heather
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User: sewnew2
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 70 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-06-2004, 10:17 AM (15 of 16)
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I just use a pencil and a roll of medical paper to trace off my patterns. If you check some of the old postings you will find some pretty good suggestions for other things to be used as tracing paper. What I use is easy to read and I don't have ANY problems marking off what I want. The paper is very thin. I have also found paper through Nancy's Notions that is inexpensive and very close to the same thing I have used for years. If I leave space around the traced pattern, I can also make alterations directly on the new pattern piece. The tracing paper that you are using was never designed to be used as direct transfer. The whole thing is designed to be used between the fabric with the pattern on top. It is rare that I use it between the paper and the material...not only is that not where the marks are generally needed, but if it is used as direct transfer it tears the pattern paper almost 100 per cent of the time...not to mention what it does to the tracing paper; because the points go through the tracing paper, it doesn't transfer well either. Recently I even bought a light table to help see transfers on paper where the patterns happen to be too light to be seen well through the paper. It would be no different if I taped the whole thing to a window. As an alternative, there is a wheel that fills with fluid like a magic marker that was made for pattern tracing....directly on paper with the pattern underneath. You can buy refills for the wheel. You might happen to like that better than pencil and paper. I think that Nancy's Notions may have that too. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sewnew2
Date: 07-06-2004, 12:09 PM (16 of 16)
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Originally posted by paroper I just use a pencil and a roll of medical paper to trace off my patterns. Yep, this is what I have been doing with pencil. My last explanation above was not clear. Originally posted by paroper The tracing paper that you are using was never designed to be used as direct transfer. The whole thing is designed to be used between the fabric with the pattern on top. Yes, I get this too, and this is what I have been doing for darts as explained in the above post. I STILL find that the marks left by the transfer on the fabric lousy quality. Even as I use it between the fabric with the pattern on top. Heather
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User: sewnew2
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 70 |
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