Sewing- Pattern help!

[EloiseWeenie]

I am just picking up sewing again. I haven't sewed from a pattern in about 20 years.

I bought a pattern for a romper/dress for my baby. Can I be cheap and just fold the pattern for the sizes instead of cutting it? I'd like to make her a larger size one when she gets older. Or do I just trace the pattern on a piece of paper, cut repeat? Help me be cheap!,

[zookeepersuzy]

I would trace it out and cut that. I feel like folding it down would just be a huge PITA.

I'm lazy & don't have my own kids, so I just cut the original. If I feel like I'll ever make it in another size I just buy another pack. (I only buy kid patterns on $1 sales.. lol)

[Deleted]

I'd trace. I'm in the middle of a huuuuuuuuge tracing binge.

If you're tracing from brown tissue paper, it helps to lay that on white paper so that the lines show up better. At least it does when you're tracing on your espresso dining room table. lol

[EloiseWeenie]

Thanks. I'll go get some tracing paper tomorrow. I got the pattern on sale for $6, so I'd like to get more than one size out of it.

[cmeon]

I use freezer paper to trace the kids' patterns- it's cheap, easy to find (Grocery store, target, I even saw it at Joanns once), holds up well for storage, doesn't wiggle on most fabrics, can be ironed on if needed, and is useful for other things.

I don't bother tracing rectangles or squares (I just take measurements and note them on another piece), and make sure I catch all pertinent notches and dots and notations.

[EloiseWeenie]

Do you think I could just use parchment paper?

[shortcake2675]

Parchment paper is slick, doesn't take markings well, and is too expensive for me to use it on anything except a pattern I'm making over and over again. But yes, it will work.

To trace easier, I hang the pattern on a big window or sliding door and then tape my tracing paper up over it. It requires daylight, but makes it so much easier.

[cmeon]

Parchment paper would be awful to mark on- it's purpose is pretty much "stick to nothing", afterall.

Freezer paper is basically one-sided wax paper, so you can easily mark on the paper (not wax) side.

[EloiseWeenie]

Thanks for the info. I have never heard of freezer paper, but I always have parchment paper on hand. I'll have to run to Food Lion or Piggly Wiggly to see if the have it.

[angiepangie]

Jun 15, 2012 0:11:36 GMT -5 shortcake2675 said:

To trace easier, I hang the pattern on a big window or sliding door and then tape my tracing paper up over it. It requires daylight, but makes it so much easier.

I really like this idea.

[cmeon]

Jun 15, 2012 9:20:04 GMT -5 EloiseWeenie said:

Thanks for the info. I have never heard of freezer paper, but I always have parchment paper on hand. I'll have to run to Food Lion or Piggly Wiggly to see if the have it.

If you ever buy fish or meat from inside the butcher/meat counters (not the prepackaged stuff), that's the paper they wrap it in. "Butcher's paper" is the same thing- and sometimes they'll give you some if you ask nicely.

It's used a lot to stencil paint on fabric, too- you can cut out a design with an exacto or a cutting machine, iron it on, and dab paint over it.

[EloiseWeenie]

Thanks ladies!

I got some freezer paper from Food Lion this morning. I traced the pattern on my storm door. . . and my flabby, out of shape arms are sore! I'll start cutting tonight, and I have a feeling I'll have a few more questions.

If you're curious, I'm making this pattern (m4424)- the romper.

The fabric store in my city has a very poor selection. I really wanted a seersucker, and they only had 4 options I went with pink/white stripe, but I would have loved an aqua/white stripe.

[shortcake2675]

Sorry the fabric choices were so slim. Love the pattern and it will be super cute in the seersucker.

I prefer buying fabric in person for instant gratification, but Fabric.com and etsy are my backups if I can't find what I want in person.

[Deleted]

www.fabric.com has reasonably priced seersucker. I love them.

[mrscarroll61007]

I use the heck out of freezer paper for tracing and making my own patterns. Though for some reason I can't follow a true pattern to save my life.