As my little girl dress pattern is multi size, from age 3 to age 8, I can't very well cut out an age 6 portion as otherwise, I will have to wait until Tuala, Lily, Indi, and Connie are all 6, and that may perturb them somewhat when they see the glorious creation that will be Niamh's birthday dress. Niamh will then lose out on 2 further years of couture, and the next oldest, Lily, is still only 4, which means i'll have to wait at least 2 years before making the next! As you can see there are at least 9 different combinations to try from this one Project Runway Pattern. Times that by the number of girls I have, and then by the number of years that I can make dresses for them, and that's a lorra lorra dresses (luckily they are not all related!).
So I figured I have to make a Master Copy then trace each pattern as each occasion arises.
So I figured I have to make a Master Copy then trace each pattern as each occasion arises.
I had a "jumbo" sized roll of wrapping paper left over from Christmas which I thought would be idea to glue all the pattern pieces onto. I used re-positionable spray mount to glue the ironed pieces to the paper. Very messy but worth it for the nice (dry) finish and it makes for easy smoothing of any little air bubbles and creases.
I then cut out each piece leaving quite a wide border. The border is for taping the pieces to the table so that they don't move about when I'm trying to trace them, and so that I don't have to tape the pattern itself. I used a sheet of white tissue paper - the crinkly sounding kind - to lay over the original pattern peices and also secured that to the table with tape (leave enough space around the tissue paper for unanticipated snags and rips). When all nicely and smoothly secured to the table you can trace your pattern with a black felt tip, not forgetting the marks and instructions and ofcourse the size. This is age 6. So now I have one complete age 6 dress pattern.
I can see I'm going to have to use the next piece of tracing paper to draft up plans for a large workroom to store all these patterns in!!
7 comments:
That's such a great idea. I have always hated tracing patterns and now I see I really just needed more tape :)
I trace most of my patterns--that is, if it's one I think I will want to use more than once. I like to trace them onto either template plastic (if it's a simple pattern with few pieces) or tracing paper, like you did. Actually, what I use for tracing paper is doctor's "table paper" -- the stuff they roll onto the exam tables so you have a sanitary surface to sit on. It's very tear-resistant.
What a great idea, I have always traced a pattern if I have wanted to re use it. My daughter has also chosen a project runway pattern, they look great and give them lots of choice.
It's good practice to trace them anyway, I use fabri-baste which is about £7/8 for a massive roll. It doesn't tear and it's a bit clingy so you don't need so many pins on your fabric. Good idea to attach them to thicker paper - your master copies will keep for ages like that.
Tracing is a ball ache that, like pinning and pressing, is a necessary PINA.
Brilliant idea. I've done it in a more haphazard way in the past but I can see it would be worth doing it properly ...
Aren't you clever! Dress making makes me very nervous (Mum is so good at it I always feel incompetant!) and I nearly always cut on the wrong line. Thanks for your interest in the embellisher, I have made some more ATC's and if you send me your address I'll pop one in the post for you. jennyflowerblue@googlemail.com
I trace out all of my patterns, but I swear to you that my method is a lot less hassle than what you've done here (and you could easily substitute your wrapping paper instead of the craft paper I use). But seriously, I commend you, because that looks like SO much work!
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