I wasn’t very clear in my description on how I prepared up to the point of cutting the fabric. First of all, the pattern is a downloadable pattern, so if/when the paper becomes too ragged to use or when I need to go up to the next size all I have to do is print out a new pattern. I was thinking about that and wondering what people used to do in the “old days” of tissue patterns.
I used a 100% cotton “quilting” weight. I think maybe a discussion about materials might be one of our future topics! So I washed the material in cold water. Dried it. Ironed it. Folded it in half and pinned the pattern on. Since I haven’t done a lot of sewing I’m guessing that although my pins are probably a little less than 10 years old they’re still sharp. At least they go into my fingertips easy enough. Ouch! I hope it was correct to fold parallel to the selvage. The scissors I use are only ever used for fabric. They stay in a little sewing box I have. Now, that said, I noticed that they all of a sudden have a burr in them halfway up the blade. I have absolutely no idea how it would have gotten there except that at some point something other than fabric was cut, but it wasn’t by me. So I’m hoping that can be smoothed out by a good sharpening. Anyway, then I cut the fabric by letting most of the fabric & pattern sit on the table while I lifted just what I needed to to be able to cut. Like I said, it mostly worked out well, it just seemed a little cumbersome.
Thank you all for your input! Anyone else have any projects they have going on?
I sometimes trace patterns onto red dot paper. That way the edge never gets ragged, and I can modify the pattern as I go.
If u have trouble cutting them out I think the paper might be part of the problem. Just use lots of pins! My kids are now in their 40s, so tissue patterns were the only game in town back then.
LOL! I haven't explored the new fangled world of interweb patterns - the last pattern I bought was for my wedding dress! Since then, I mainly just do repairs or stuff I make up without a pattern (curtains, big tote bags for our beach chairs, toaster cover, etc). I'm excited to start making clothes again. First I have to buy a new machine...mine was acting funny so I had my mom check it out to see if it was worth repairing. She suggested I finally upgrade to something modern.