pattern cutting
By creematee
@creematee (2810)
United States
March 5, 2007 4:11am CST
On multi-sized patterns, do you cut out the exact size you need? Do you trace it out onto other tissue paper? Do you cut the biggest size and then fold over the unneeded sizes?
I cut them out--unless it's for my oldest daughter. I know that eventually I'll have to make it for her younger sister, so I will trace her patterns onto newsprint. For my son, myself and DH, i just cut to the size I need, as I will probably not make the garment again.
3 people like this
5 responses
@stinkerbell (38)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I used to just cut it out, but I've found myself having to buy the same pattern again when my girls grow.
Now I cut it out on tissue paper. If it's something I'm going to make several times, like gauchos, I then trace it onto one of those vinyl tablecloths with a fuzzy backing. It works wonders-- it's sturdy enough to use several times, but the best bonus is that you don't have to pin it to the fabric when cutting, the fuzziness makes it stay in place.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I never thought about tracing it onto a table cloth! What a brilliant idea! I have so many of those floating around, too. I use them for kid projects. I lay them on the floor when the kids paint, play dough, or well, coming soon, they'll be dying eggs. I'll have to give the table cloth a try for the patterns.
1 person likes this
@stinkerbell (38)
• United States
8 Mar 07
LOL-- most of my "tablecloth" patterns have kids paint/glitter/glue/etc on the vinyl side. I need to get some more because my kids don't have any more drop cloths to use!
I hope it works out for you as well as it does for me. I'll do ~anything~ to avoid pinning!
2 people like this
@Bev1986 (1425)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I just cut the size I need. I hardly ever make the same outfit twice, so it really doesn't matter. My girls are 4 years apart and very different in size. And they have the opposite in tastes... so I have not had to worry about either of them wanting the other's outfit! lol!
@creematee (2810)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I very rarely make the same thing twice, myself, except for pajamas. My girls love their flannel pjs that mommy makes. :)
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
26 Mar 07
That's what I usually do if I'm just sewing for me. Since my daughters are close in age, but not size, I have had to start cutting their outfits out differently. Sigh. My youngest, however, doesn't care that her big sisters dress is too big. Just makes her feel more like the Princess. LOL!
@craftiladi99 (27)
• United States
25 Mar 07
I trace off my patterns in the size that I need. This saves the original in case I want to use it again. I used to use tissue paper, but found out that it wasn't durable enough. So then I started to iron on fusible interfacing, which makes the pattern stronger. Lately I have just traced the pattern off onto non fusible interfacing and that seems to work the best. You really have to figure out what works the best for you. If I intend on using the pattern only one time, then I just cut out the original. Irregardless I always out iron on interfacing on my pattern pieces. It just helps them last longer.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
26 Mar 07
That's a great idea!! I wouldn't have thought to iron on interfacing to the pattern piece to make it last longer. Thank you for the tip! :)
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
26 Oct 11
i always measure the fabric up to the person that i am making the clothing item for i only use just as much material that i need to use i think if you cut out the biggest size and then fold over the unneeded sizes it is just wasting materials i ususally do not trace out the pattern i just hold the material up to the person and stick some pins in it then cut out the design i know this is not the "right" way to do it but i like winging things haha
