Getting Multiple Sizes Out Of Tissue Thin Pattern Paper

My First Post!

I do quite a bit of sewing...at night when the kids are sleeping...without patterns because I hate patterns. I shouldn't say I hate patterns, because I LOVE the final result when following a pattern it's just the process of getting there that I have trouble with. So when I decide to use a pattern, I usually spend quite a bit of time reading the instructions and looking at the pattern pieces before I even start cutting. Because THAT is the worst part, cutting. I want to use a pattern for the multiple sizes it provides because I have 3 little girls for whom I have to make 3 sizes. OR because I love the design so much that I make want to make one for my 3 year old now and again next year when she is a year bigger. The problem is, how do I cut multiple sizes out of the pattern paper without completely ruining the pattern??!!?? I googled it, I asked my mom, I spoke with a veteran sewist at a fabric store and I got the same answer (trace the pattern), just different ideas on how to trace the pattern. Google results suggested medical paper because you can see through it (how am I going to get that stuff?), mom suggested tracing paper and wheel (too expensive for my cheapo butt), and lady at fabric store suggested tracing the pattern onto old wrapping paper (cannot do because I have switched to reusable wrapping "paper", plus that would take too much time to cut each size out, trace, then cut the next small size out).

So I accidentally came up with this solution:

1. Take a large piece of paper (I used the backside piece of paper from a large coloring book that my kids have no interest in). You could use newspaper, wrapping paper, or that paper that comes on a large roll that your kids color or paint on (I think you can get a roll at IKEA for $5 or so). Lightly tape the pattern paper onto the large piece of paper and use a permanent marker to trace the size you need from the pattern.

2. Look-see?! The pattern paper is so darn thin that the permanent marker goes right through! Copy the other info from the pattern (cut number, size, grainline, etc.). Do the same for each size you need from the pattern. This particular pattern provided me with a size 4, 5, and 6 so I traced the size 4, then the size 5 and I can use the pattern paper if I need size 6. You will then need to cut the new pattern pieces out of the paper onto which you traced.

3. Use these pattern pieces to cut out your fabric-I place fabric on my cut mat, lay the pattern piece on top, and weigh it down with canned tuna or soup or whatever I have in the cupboard. I like using tuna cans because they are shorter than soup and don't get in the way as much.

This probably won't work as well with adult clothing, unless you have paper big enough to fit the pattern pieces. You could also tape pieces of paper together to make a larger piece of paper.

Last night, I cut all the pieces I need for my 3 year old and 5 year old to each have a new summer outfit, so tonight I get to start sewing. And all of the pattern pieces are still intact so that if my girls like their outfits enough, I can make some more of the same!

Sombody's Sewing tonight!