multi size patterns

[caffinequeen]

I realise this will make me sound very stupid but please be gentle I am a total numpty novice.

When a pattern is multi-sized I assume you can trace it so you can use it again for a different size..... but what do you trace it with?

Or, am I just being stupid and you can only use it for one size? )

Thank you very much!

It's not a silly question at all! If you are only going to use the pattern once, then you can just cut out the size you need. But if like me you make a lot of children's clothes, then it makes sense to keep the pattern sheets as intact as possible so that you can re-use them as they grow.

There are lots of ways of doing it. These are a few that I know of:

Trace off the size you need using a large sheet of paper (I sometimes use baking paper) or there is special pattern paper you can buy.

You can get a tracing wheel that marks the fabric and you just go over the pattern lines you want to use, I've never done this.

Just fold over the pattern on the line of the size you want to use - this is what I do most often. It's a bit fiddly on curves such as arm holes.

Sometimes if the pattern pieces are small I put them on the printer and scan them and then just cut out the size I need.

You can also just use the paper pattern as a guide and draw the shape you need by sort of folding and moving it around as you go. Use a special pen that washes out or disappears, or chalk.

Hope this helps!

Thank you that is very helpful - it is really for children's clothes that I was thinking about. I will give baking paper a go first I think - the folding sounds a bit fiddly, at least for now!

Grease proof paper is cheaper than baking parchment

Also, I do a combination of folding (for straight pieces) and tracing on greaseproof paper for more fiddly, small pieces

You can also use lining paper, quite cheap from b+q/ It's a bit thick, but works quite well.