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re-using sewing patterns?
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homealone_2
Posts: 2,004 Forumite


i have been given access to a pile of old sewing patterns which are exactly what is in fashion at the moment. one in particular dates back to the 1920s whaer the swimming suits would make really pretty nightwear. a camisole top and pantaloon things. well it states on pack that we can copy them to use but how on earth do you photo copy a sewing pattern, they dont come in a4 sizes. buying new patterns seem really expensive so copying would be a lot cheaper but how do i go about it?
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Could you copy them on to tracing paper. I think that you can buy large sheets in stationers or alternatively use Acid free tissue paper by Burda available in Haberdashers or john Lewis.0
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you don't photocopy them!
first off you can use greaseproof paper which is much cheaper than tracing paper.
Now, if it's already cut out, either pin the pattern to the greaseproof or use little tin blobs of blutack. make sure the pattern is totally flat. draw around it in pencil, remove orignaly and cut out.
IF it's not already cut out, lay out the pattern sheet nice and flat (I recommend a floor). lay greaseproof over it and trace with a pen or use a rotary tracing wheel. if the greaseproof's not wide enough, stickytape two pieces together!
never buy tracing paper, it's overpriced.
and if it's going to be something you're making a lot, once you've copied and cut out your pattern in paper, you can lay it on an old sheet, pin it down and cut out like you would a normal pattern. mark it with a permenant marker and you will have a very long lasting fabric pattern. I recently used one of these made in the 1970s!
and remember, some old patterns and most modern mainland european patterns may not have seam allowance.0 -
If it's not already cut out, copying shops that do work for architects etc will have plan printer/copiers that will do up to A0 paper. It may or may not be cost-effective.A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.0
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I remember my Mom copying round patterns on newspaper laid flat and taped together.Trust me - I'm NOT a doctor!0
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am I missing something here? why can you not just use the patterns as they are? We used to reuse patterns when I was learning to use patterns at school... unless of course you need to make them bigger than the size they have been cut to.#6 of the SKI-ers Club :j
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke0 -
didnt dawn on me for a minute to use greaseproof paper, will get some in week or maybe buy some off ebay (seem to be getting more and more from ebay grocery or toiletries etc with free postage, more convenient than trip to shops and sometimes quite a bit cheaper) as for cutting original, the group dont want you to as obviously with others in group there will be different sizes women0
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didnt dawn on me for a minute to use greaseproof paper, will get some in week or maybe buy some off ebay (seem to be getting more and more from ebay grocery or toiletries etc with free postage, more convenient than trip to shops and sometimes quite a bit cheaper) as for cutting original, the group dont want you to as obviously with others in group there will be different sizes women
I didn't know they were for use of a group , now I see why you want to copy them#6 of the SKI-ers Club :j
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke0 -
I remember my nan - who apprenticed as a seamstress - would NEVER use an actual pattern on her fabric! she used rolls of blank paper (wallpaper lining paper?) and transferred her pattern useing (I think) a roller thingy and carbon paper. this was about 50 years ago and nan was VERY frugal! she was also very clever and could alter the basic pattern - a coat could become a blazer or a dress or a blouse. she only had a few patterns, but she really made them a multitude of clothes.0
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I would second the use of lining paper - lay the pattern parts on the paper and draw round them, then add any markings and seam allowances once the original pattern has been taken off. This will give you sturdy pattern pieces that can be rolled up and used several times."Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain." ~ Vivian Greene0
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I got a pack from Lidl about a month ago - 5 sheets of tracing paper with a dressmaker's chalk and a wrist pincushion - for £2.99. I've used one piece for copying a resized 1970s skirt, but there's only a little of that sheet left over. Lining paper makes much more economic sense!0
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