Paper pattern - cutting different sizes?

[IsItMeOr]

Hi, have bought a paper pattern to make trousers for DS, and as it covers sizes up to 3yo, I would like to be able to make them in 18mo size now and - if they work! - still be able to make them in the bigger sizes later on. I'd rather not have to pay another £5 for a new pattern each time.

I feel I should know how to do this, but can't figure it out. Can anybody advise please?

Thanks .

Of course .

I was hoping there might be something less fiddly though, as I'm extremely lazy pressed for time...

I'd wondered if I could scan the pieces and then print them onto tracing paper, but my googling hasn't found any printer tracing paper for "ordinary" printers.

Will get some regular tracing paper and hope that my hand is steady enough!

i just use plain kitchen paper.

if i have a multisized pattern i would cut ot the largest size and then make right angle cuts every so far along and fold and pin back to the size i wanted.

What do you mean by kitchen paper? Is that like baking parchment or greaseproof paper? I have those!

greaseproof and use a ruler. Don't forget to copy the little triangles with which you match the pattern pieces

Agree with the baking paper/greaseproof. I do this all the time for DD's dresses. Another thing you could do is make them in the size 3 size and when you put the elastic in the waist, tie it in a knot and tuck the excess into the waistband. Then roll the hem to the 18 months size. Then you can adjust the waistband and the trouser length as he grows. My grandma used to do this all the time for us as kids as she couldnt afford the fabric to make lots of pairs of trousers as we grew! There generally isnt a huge amount of difference especially as 18 months sizes are larger in the bum as they take into account nappies anyway etc. I just did it for DS and it worked really well.

Ooh, thanks for the extra tips.

Just finished tracing the 18mo size onto baking paper. Seemed to work okay.

DutchOma - strangely this pattern didn't have any triangles on. It's been so long since I made anything, that I didn't miss them until you mentioned it. I guess it must be the brand, or because it is very simple to match.

DingALongCow - I'll see how I get on with this pair, and might experiment with your grandma's method on the next one.

Just want to get cutting and sewing now, but DS is asleep and will be up again at 5.30, so need to be quiet and think about going to bed myself .

Hi, a tracing wheel is whats needed.

its specially made for this very thing. You'll find them along with other sewing stuff in shops.

Its a little spiked wheel that you move along the outline of your chosen size. Underneath it you can use tracing paper, baking paper, newspaper or even used A4.

its quick and accurate and the original pattern is still in one piece.

I'd never heard of those size6feet, so I'll bear it in mind if I have any success with my first pair of trousers.

Not sure when I'm ever going to be able to get the sewing machine out with a button obsessed toddler in the house mind .