Burda Style For people who sew

Does anyone have any tips on how to reuse a pattern, maybe for different sizes?

Example: I made my kid’s halloween costume from a pattern, but I really didn’t want to cut it to a smaller size because I may be able to use the basic pattern (a jumpsuit) next year (when she will be bigger). I lucked out that this particular pattern had two shapes for each piece (one for even sizes and one for odd sizes). But, if I didn’t have that, what would I do?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts! – psh

Nov 3, 2009, 08.07 PM by psh853

• Report as Inappropriate

9 Posts

• 

  Nov 3, 2009, 10.26 PMby KateXXXXXX

  I trace the pattern pieces, leaving the original uncut and unaltered so that I have it to refer to if things go wrong, or if I later need a different size.
• 

  Nov 3, 2009, 11.49 PMby psh853

  Great idea. What kind of paper do you use?

  2 Replies

  • 

    Nov 4, 2009, 02.18 AMby oscarthegrouch108

    there are a lot of different things, but what i like is something akin to sew in interfacing (at JoAnn’s it’s called Pattern Ease).

  • 

    Nov 4, 2009, 08.30 AMby KateXXXXXX

    I usually use Dot & Cross pattern making paper for larger things, and freezer paper for smaller stuff. I also have a roll of kid’s drawing paper from IKEA that is good for tracing with the tracing wheel and carbon paper for smaller things.

• 

  Nov 4, 2009, 02.22 AMby oscarthegrouch108

  i cut around the largest size, but pin for the size i’m using. then just gently lift the tissue and cut underneath it. it takes a little practice to get it right, but it’s cheaper than tracing off a pattern you may only use once more. then if you find you’re making this pattern a lot, trace off each size on something more durable.
• 

  Nov 4, 2009, 03.12 AMby Auntchelle

  I trace off the original as well. Depending what the item is I either use tracing paper (from my fabric store) or Swedish tracing paper. This is more expensive but it is sewable so you can use it to fit more complicated patterns. I’ve also heard of people tracing onto non-iron on interfacing for patterns that they will use frequently.
• 

  Nov 4, 2009, 12.34 PMby Josephina

  I have used baking paper, butchers paper and sewable interfacing. The interfacing is the easiest to use as it doesn’t tend to move around as much as paper does. I generally use a tracing wheel then pencil to transfer the pattern.

  Auntchelle – where do you find the Swedish tracing paper? It sounds very handy.

  1 Reply

  • 

    Nov 5, 2009, 04.11 AMby Auntchelle

    I’m in Australia and have to buy it online. At $14AUD (for 29″ × 9m… yeah I know, they’ve mixed their measurements) I don’t use it for all projects tho’! I get it from craftymamas.net but if you Google it I’m sure you’d find a supplier that is closer to you.

• 

  Nov 4, 2009, 02.17 PMby psh853

  Thanks everyone!
• 

  Nov 4, 2009, 04.44 PMby Miss_Sylver

  Greasproof paper duckie, best thing for it!

  1 Reply

  • 

    Nov 5, 2009, 08.57 AMby KateXXXXXX

    I really hate using greaseproof paper. OK, it’s easy to trace through, but it’s harsh, scratchy, and brittle, and doesn’t pin well. And it’s usually too small for bigger pattern pieces and impossible to tape together! Just my experience. YMMV… :)

• 

  Nov 5, 2009, 03.30 PMby Tangerine-Dreams

  I scored a huge roll of paper during my check up at the doctor’s. I saw a couple of extra rolls for the examining table and asked her if I could buy one off her. Works great. Best $5 score I found with my feet up in stirrups!

  2 Replies

  • 

    Nov 5, 2009, 07.09 PMby KateXXXXXX

    I keep hearing of folk using this stuff, but it does not compute… Doc’s examining couch paper is like giant loo roll or Kimwipe: you can’t write on it, it’s like Kleenex!

  • 

    Nov 6, 2009, 04.09 PMby Tangerine-Dreams

    Works great Katexxxxxxx over here. Maybe it’s just the North American stuff that works. I use a 4HB pencil and works great :)

• 

  Nov 5, 2009, 11.28 PMby samcam

  I usually cut out at the largest size and fold to the size needed before I pin to fabric. This also helps for instance when making a dress when your top half and bottom half are not the same size. You can fold and to appropriat size and get a blending of the two between. Sometime you need to make small cuts (eg in corners) so you can fold neatly.