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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: pretnichols
Date: 07-21-2006, 05:41 PM (1 of 16)
Okay, I'm having a bad day. I've forgotten some basic sewing skills. I have a very simple Simplicity Pattern (#5271) for PJ's. It has 9 sizes in it. I just need the kids sizes -- XS & M -- pants only. I know you have discussed tracing --using tissue paper, doctors paper & crayons. But how do I lay this out? Do I put the tissue paper on top or bottom?  I do have a tracing wheel & chalk, but have forgotten how to use it. I could just go buy another pattern, but this one was $15.95. If I wait for a sale, it could be awhile.I'll keep searching the boards and yahoo/google, but any assistance would be hlepful! My kids already think I'm nuts, since I lined them up for measurements to be sure I picked the right size to cut for them.  Thanks in advance 
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-21-2006, 06:00 PM (2 of 16)
|
I use tissue paper or the soil seperator cloth and lay it on top of the pattern.. You can see right thru and trace easily.. make all the markings you need.. If you use tissue paper tape the pieces together first.. No slipping , if you do it that way.. I use a no 2 pencil to trace on tissue and a crayon on the soil seperator cloth.. I do it all the time, because I use the same patterns over and over for all my gifts.. (different sizes for different people)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: pretnichols
Date: 07-21-2006, 06:56 PM (3 of 16)
Thanks Libby -- I figured it out. I am using blank "newsprint" paper, which is not see-thru. I will use tissue paper or something else from now on. I was getting frustrated since I couldn't "see" the markings.  It's just been a long time (like 25+ years) since I attempted any clothing. That's why I chose a simple pattern....but forgot about cutting the actual pattern out for the 2 kids sizes.I've got one done, so on to the other. Theln off to the store for tissue paper so I can do the shirts/tops. Thanks for your quick response! 
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 07-21-2006, 08:23 PM (4 of 16)
|
When my nephew got married they bought a roll of aisle runner. The church wasn't very big. So after the wedding they cut the used part off & gave it to me. I have used that a couple of times to trace patterns onto. Mostly though I clip the pattern & fold back to the size I need making the smaller size first the open out & press to make the bigger size. This probably wouldn't work for fussy clothes but I mostly make T-shirts & Pjs for grands so the accurracy can be off 1/16" to 1/8" and not make much difference. I always look for short cuts that won't change the outcome. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 07-22-2006, 03:48 PM (5 of 16)
|
After finding that the tissue paper didn't hold out very well when you use the pattern more than a few times I went out and bought some pattern transfer paper when the store was having a big sale. Now I have a huge roll of it hanging above my cutting table so I can just roll it out over the pattern when I want to copy it. Thought I'd be a smarty pants and use it for stabilizer for my embroidery machine but it's too flimsy on a lightweight fabric!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: bbd
Date: 07-28-2006, 11:10 PM (6 of 16)
|
I do not get some of what I just read. About seeing thru the paper etc. Then one person said about thick paper you could not see thru? I Absolutely did not get the one about (some other funny kind of paper or cloth??????)re read. I want to know in steps 1 through 5 how to lay a pattern down and copy it in the right size. Such as, 1 spread the pattern out, 2 lay ****over it, lay ****under it...etc understand Now, I need to know how to use a tracing wheel  Then I need to know how to use "tracing paper" Then I need to know how to trace a favorite garment???HELP BOY AM I NEW!!!BARBARA ANN |
User: bbd
Member since: 09-12-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 07-29-2006, 09:21 AM (7 of 16)
My personal favorite tracing paper is Swedish Tracing Paper, some call it STP. It comes in rolls, it is more cloth like, very easy to see through. I can easily lay it on top of my pattern, use a simple ink pen to trace my pattern onto it, including any markings and/or notes. From there it is strong enough to pin fit, I even know some that have actually sewn it for basting fit. I can make adjustments for fit easy too. I just really had problems with more of the paper type products when it came to the fitting process, STP is cloth like so does the fitting process so much better. Plus seems to hold up so well. Oh and using an ink pen over a tracing wheel makes me happy 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: MJADAA
Date: 07-29-2006, 10:40 AM (8 of 16)
| i must admit i've traced a pattern i usually just fold back to the size i want to use. |
User: MJADAA
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 22 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-31-2006, 06:31 PM (9 of 16)
|
Tracing paper and the wheel are for marking fabric, not tracing pattern pieces.. I use tissue paper when I do not have regular tracing paper on a roll.. And I use the soil seperator cloth from Lowe's now that I have it.. But for the Grands, I always keep a pack of Tissue gift wrap and trace the pieces on the tissue because its quick and on the smaller ones, I can get a couple of pieces on 1 tissue sheet.. I use a soft pencil and use the side of the paper that is NOT slick..I have used t-shirt patterns sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 for so many years, I know the size 1 and 2 are more than 10 years old.. I keep the pieces for each size together with a hatpin when not in use, and they live in the top drawer of the desk my machine sits on.. When the Hobby Lobby here had their grand opening, they sold a pack of white tissue gift wrap with 90 sheets in it for $ 1.00 as a special.. That lasts a long time, let me tell you.. No trouble seeing thru it to trace, either..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: jjgrammie
Date: 07-31-2006, 08:38 PM (10 of 16)
|
Hi I trace all my multi sized patterns now. My granddaughter grows so fast. I purchased tracing paper from Nancy's Notions https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/viaListProducts.jsp?searchText=tracing^paper&modifier=SEARCH&reqTitle=TITLE_VIASEARCHRESULT I cut out all the pieces I need and iron them Then pin them to the tracing paper. I trace with my little wheel thingy and use the Dritz wax free tracing paper which I got from Joanns. I make sure I mark all the pieces with exactly what is on the master piece and also put the pattern # on it. |
User: jjgrammie
Member since: 10-13-2005 Total posts: 20 |
From: bPlace
Date: 08-20-2006, 04:01 AM (11 of 16)
|
Hi, I just made a post at my site about tracing European patterns, which have to be traced before using them. I like Patternease, found with the interfacing, and a pen. Before I dscovered this and with patterns from the big 3 I would lay the pattern on top of my big roll of butcher type paper that I bought from Costco for the kids to 'art' on. Take a marker, crayola, and trace it that way. It bleeds through so you can do all your marking that way too If you would like the link to my tracing post pm me  HTH, Corie |
User: bPlace
Member since: 08-14-2006 Total posts: 24 |
From: sewsassy
Date: 08-22-2006, 02:12 AM (12 of 16)
|
How I trace a pattern with tracing wheel. Supplies--Pattern, tracing wheel, pencil, red pen (to make pattern markings stand out to be transferred) iron, ironing surface, fabric pins, dressmaker's paper (dp is a chalked paper), tracing/tissue paper of choice (I use a tissue type for small patterns and a heavier craft type on a roll for bigger pattern pieces), surface large enough to lay out a piece at a time for tracing and that you don't mind getting knicks from the pins. The pinning prevents slipping. 1. Cut out each pattern piece needed to construct the garment 2. With iron set to a dry & low temp iron each cut piece and lay on a flat surface---DO not use steam!!!! bad, messy 3. Lay tissue paper on the tracing surface. Tape or pin edges to surface. 4. Pin first pattern piece on top of the tissue paper leaving an opening to sandwhich your dressmaker's paper between them. You will slide the dressmaker's paper with the chalk side on the tisse paper. 5. Take tracing wheel and begin tracing. Press firmly. As you roll along, unpin the pattern and reposition the dressmaker's paper to an untraced area and pin the area you last traced. The bigger the carbon paper the better. 6. Trace all markings for that design 7. Use the pencil to number each piece. Done Here is the modified nutshell version. 1. Position the pattern on tissue paper with the pattern facing you. 2. Pin each corner so that pattern stays in place. 3. Slip dressmaker's carbon paper with carbon side down between the pattern and tissue paper. 4. Using the tracing wheel of your choice, copy the design lines of the pattern. How I duplicate with a transfer pencil. 1. Cut out each pattern piece needed to construct the garment 2. With iron set to a low temp iron each cut piece and lay on a hard flat surface 3. Trace lines and markings with the transfer pencil. 4. Lay your tissue paper on the tracing surface. Pin tissue paper edges to it. (No pins inside of the area to be ironed) 5. Pin pattern to tissue paper face down (pattern traced face side down) 6. With Iron at Medium or low enough temp not to burn, gently iron over the pattern until all areas have been transferred to the tissue paper. 7. Use the pencil to number each piece. Done Hope this helps. I stronly advise plenty of time for trial and error. Pattern tracing can be time consuming, but if there is a method to your madness, even if you are interrupted you should be able to go right back to it. Main thing is to periodically check that you are still in alignment and have not missed any markings. |
User: sewsassy
Member since: 03-07-2005 Total posts: 24 |
From: BeckyW
Date: 08-23-2006, 02:25 PM (13 of 16)
| Do you have a large window in your house? I just tape the pattern up to my sliding glass door and tape the tracing paper on top of it and trace away. A TV screen works well for small pieces, if you are tracing at night. You can see through almost any kind of paper on a bright day. I like tracing on freezer paper for patterns I plan on reusing many times. If I think I will only make it once or twice I use gift wrap tissue. |
User: BeckyW
Member since: 12-25-2004 Total posts: 24 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-23-2006, 10:20 PM (14 of 16)
|
Aw Becky, you just took the words right out of my mouth. Great minds think alike!!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-24-2006, 05:03 PM (15 of 16)
|
I guess its my age.. (I am a child of the depression) My Mother raised us to be so thrifty and to take care of everything we had.. (no money to buy more) But, I have never had a tissue pattern piece to rip or get lost or otherwise unusable.. I have replaced facings, etc. with pieces I made because I like longer back facings in shirts and tops for me.. But , I guess I have patterns that I use frequently, that are 12 or 15 years old.. MY Quik Sew t-shirt original pattern, (I got it free from a Shirley Adams Seminar I attended in 1992 or 1993) Is still like brand new.. I trace the different sizes with minute alterations for certain people who need them, every once in a while.. My personal one is scaled down for my short arms and body to go along with my wide body.. All Pieces of it are pinned together with my name on outer piece in the t-shirt folder , along with the other specialized fit patterns for the same original pattern..Tissue paper and the sewer cloth are all I use for tracing...Very Thrifty..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: pretnichols
Date: 08-24-2006, 10:02 PM (16 of 16)
Hey, thanks for the window idea. Unfortunately, all my windows are double-hung with sash in the middle and no sliding glass door. We have a huge picture window in our Indiana cottage, but that's kind of far to go just to trace a pattern!  Maybe I can do half, then move it and copy the other half.I truly appreciate all the suggestions and know that I am not the only one who was trying to figure out a way to do this!
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
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