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From: JohnBoy
Date: 08-18-2006, 08:31 AM (1 of 9)
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Hi Everyone, this may have already been covered, but I was wondering the best way to make a patter re-useable over and over. I just bought a pattern for a frock coat I will want to make again, so thought of sticking the origional pattern to some really strong thick card or plactis, then cutting it out, so all I have to do is draw round the template again and again. I would also cut out holes for notches, darts etc so i could mark these, I thought this should make a pattern that lasta a lifetime! Is it ok to do this, or are there any pitfalls I should be aware of? I would love to hear from anyone else who has made patterns long lasting, or any other ways of doing this. Thanks, John |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21 
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From: stephi
Date: 08-18-2006, 09:03 AM (2 of 9)
I am not sure about the plastic coating. I have taken a VERY expensive horse blanket pattern to a drafting company and had them laminate it. I want to say it cost me $75 for it (it was pretty big) but I paid $25 for the pattern and have used and reused it so many times that it saved me money laminating it...ALso time since I didnt have to keep going back and recutting the pattern every time I needed it. That might be a thought you could look into. 
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: Sparky
Date: 08-18-2006, 10:59 AM (3 of 9)
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Instead of gluing the pattern down, why don't you just trace it onto cardboard? That way, if it doesn't work, you'll still have your original. Have you made this pattern before? Have you made adjustments to it, or do you know that it doesn't need any adjustments? Hard to make these after you've glued it to cardboard, so you'll want to be sure to do this first. Also, what about markings for darts, etc? Is there anything you'll need to trace? How will you trace through cardboard? And remember that there may be times you'll have to turn the pattern over. You won't be able to read any markings through the cardboard. It would be easier to transfer them to both sides of the cardboard without the pattern being attached to one side. It would be more work to trace everything, but it might be worth it. If this seems like too much work for your frock coat, why don't you try it with a simpler pattern first and see how it works out? How would you pin the cardboard cutout to the fabric? You can't, of course. If I understand you correctly, you're thinking of just drawing around your template, then cutting the fabric out, skipping pinning. This might not be as easy as it sounds. For one thing, getting precise marks on dark fabrics is very difficult. Marking pens are not visible. Chalk is smeary. I've seen white "marking pencils" in the fabric store, but never gotten one to work; the point breaks off every time I try to use it. For another thing, the fabric may well shift as you're marking it. Or the template could slip. You'd think your fabric was cut just right, but you'd have problems assembing your garment or your garment would hang wrong. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 08-18-2006, 11:37 AM (4 of 9)
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I usually fuse my favourites to cheap nonwoven interfacing, they are pliable and therefore can be folded and stuffed somewhere and it lasts forever. You can just use it as a regular pattern, no special treatment needed.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-18-2006, 11:49 AM (5 of 9)
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A lot of people trace their patterns onto one of many materials. I'm sure you'll get quite a list in a few days. I tend to use mine several times and when they finally wear out I figure the style is out of fashion and replace it with a newer pattern. Otherwise I like the fuse to interfacing option. That way everything is still the original. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 08-18-2006, 11:55 AM (6 of 9)
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I like the idea of fusing to interfacing -- I might have to try that! When I first started out I thought I might trace a pattern (before I realized they go on sale for $1!), but the special non-woven fabric (can't remember what it's called) for tracing patterns was too expensive to justify it. Thanks for the tip!
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 08-18-2006, 12:25 PM (7 of 9)
| I have always used the nonwoven fusible, lightweight to medium to fuse my patterns to. They are plyable, last forever & can be folded to be stored in the pattern jacket. I iron the pattern first to take out all the wrinkles but then would do that even if I wasn't fusing it. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: JohnBoy
Date: 08-18-2006, 02:53 PM (8 of 9)
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Thankyou so much for you input, and you have said things I never thought of. Sparky - Yes I was actually thinking of getting the pattern put onto plastic wood, then litterally either drilling or cutting the various pattern markings, so i could just lay out the pattern template on the material, and draw around the shapes, and mark other lines etc with chalk etc. But I never thought about the smudging that could happen. Also I have NOT made this pattern yet, so do not know how it will sew up, and yes i may well have to make alterations. I like the idea of the interfacing its long lasting and easy, in fact I think i will go down this route, at least i can pin out and just cut around it. realistically its not like im going to be making it oon a regular basis but I normally wear a frock coat and thought it would be great to keep the pattern so I can make a new one when needed. |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: Sancin
Date: 08-18-2006, 05:38 PM (9 of 9)
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While thinking about this question it came to me that I usually don't pin my patterns to the fabric anymore - I use weights. I use large washers purchased at a hardware store and some small packages of buckshort I made up. It does seem to make the patterns last longer. I don't usually have a problem with patterns wearing out as I rarely use a pattern more than once or twice and even then I use pieces of different patterns. I find the weights hold the material to my table and I can shift them when cutting out small intricate sections. I transfer markings with pins and chalk as I was taught, but some months ago one of the discussions was on using tailors tacks. I have thought of trying that again some time.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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