I was wondering if there could be an option to print only the size pattern you want and the computer would reconfigure it on paper to fit on less sheets of paper, because I'm a smaller size so I throw alot of the paper the pattern prints out on in the recycling bin. Also, maybe for like waistband, bias tape and other straight pieces of garments the pattern doesn't need to include them, the instructions could just say cut 2 2in x 20in straight grain (or bias) pieces of fabric
I sometimes use less paper - or, actually, less toner - by printing only the pages layout at first, and crossing out the pages that aren't necessary to print (like some parts of the pattern inside a pattern piece, or parts of the pattern where there are only straight lines that can be connected from the neighbouring sheets), and then printing only those pages I need. For those missing ones I then use unprinted papers - to be exact, usually papers already printed on one side. I guess this doesn't solve your problem that much, but it might be helpful anyway... I like the idea of not including the strips of fabric in the patterns. They don't include them in the Burda magazines. It would definitely make the pattern smaller to print out.
I never do "print all pages" command when printing. I rather check every sheet one by one. That way sometimes 4 to 5 pages less to print. And I dont cut the pattern according to my size instead I trace my size onto very thin pattern such baking paper. Then I can save my print out as it is and use.. re-use it anytime.
To Krunamagiar,
My husband thought I was a tad obsessive about thrift when I did the one-page-at-a-time routine, until he realized that I saved almost a ream of paper a month. I use the back of ads, church flyers, and class lessons that are no longer used for printing his suduko puzzles.
For tracing a multi-size pattern, whether preprinted or from the printer, I use a roll of exam table paper on a roll. I purchased a 12-roll case of the 18" for $3.50 less, including shipping that one roll of tracing paper would cost. Do I use all of it for patterns? No, but guess who is the first person called if a picnic or potluck supper is on the horizon? :) This is good for banners colored by my grandchildren, and for packing paper. It quickly breaks down in landfill. I no longer use poly backing which has a slightly shorter shelf-life than Twinkies. Other than honey, does anything have a longer shelf life than Twinkies???? Glad you are green, Nehmah
It could also work (but this is for Burdastyle to do, not something we could do on our own), to overlay the different pattern pieces. This is how I would buy fabric, ie. you have to trace them onto pattern paper since the pattern itself can't be cut since the pieces are verlapping. Did this make sense?
Anyway, it would be a way to save paper as well.
Actually, they are overlayed like that in the Burda magazines. I ALWAYS trace my patterns. It seems such a waste to cut them! And considering how much uncut vintage patterns are wanted nowadays, this also makes sense for the future. :-) I usually trace them with carbon paper and old ball-point pen that doesn't write anymore onto old newspapers or ads or something, and only when I find out I really like the pattern and would want to make it more times, I trace it onto something more stable. Nehmah: I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one who's saving ads and such papers in order to use their blank side later on! :D
Another thing to keep an eye on...my office runs "reports" on a daily basis. These reports never get looked at unless we have new trainees, which makes up about 3 months out of the year. In the interim, they run every day and are thrown into the recycling. Recently, some of the girls in the office and I have been collecting them and cutting them in half for scrap paper. But we can't keep up!
I have a stack on my desk for two weeks worth - it's an entire ream of paper! I didn't know what to do with it until my sewing machine came. Now, I count the number of pages a pattern will take and toss some of it into my printer up-side-down. It works like a charm, and when I'm done with the pattern, I use it as scrap paper.
POSTS (8)
I sometimes use less paper - or, actually, less toner - by printing only the pages layout at first, and crossing out the pages that aren't necessary to print (like some parts of the pattern inside a pattern piece, or parts of the pattern where there are only straight lines that can be connected from the neighbouring sheets), and then printing only those pages I need. For those missing ones I then use unprinted papers - to be exact, usually papers already printed on one side.
I guess this doesn't solve your problem that much, but it might be helpful anyway...
I like the idea of not including the strips of fabric in the patterns. They don't include them in the Burda magazines. It would definitely make the pattern smaller to print out.
I never do "print all pages" command when printing. I rather check every sheet one by one. That way sometimes 4 to 5 pages less to print. And I dont cut the pattern according to my size instead I trace my size onto very thin pattern such baking paper. Then I can save my print out as it is and use.. re-use it anytime.
great ideas thanks!
To Krunamagiar, My husband thought I was a tad obsessive about thrift when I did the one-page-at-a-time routine, until he realized that I saved almost a ream of paper a month. I use the back of ads, church flyers, and class lessons that are no longer used for printing his suduko puzzles. For tracing a multi-size pattern, whether preprinted or from the printer, I use a roll of exam table paper on a roll. I purchased a 12-roll case of the 18" for $3.50 less, including shipping that one roll of tracing paper would cost. Do I use all of it for patterns? No, but guess who is the first person called if a picnic or potluck supper is on the horizon? :) This is good for banners colored by my grandchildren, and for packing paper. It quickly breaks down in landfill. I no longer use poly backing which has a slightly shorter shelf-life than Twinkies. Other than honey, does anything have a longer shelf life than Twinkies???? Glad you are green, Nehmah
It could also work (but this is for Burdastyle to do, not something we could do on our own), to overlay the different pattern pieces. This is how I would buy fabric, ie. you have to trace them onto pattern paper since the pattern itself can't be cut since the pieces are verlapping. Did this make sense? Anyway, it would be a way to save paper as well.
i think all Finnish hand work magazines have patterns layed on paper like escorpio explained. it would be no problem to draw them like that.
Actually, they are overlayed like that in the Burda magazines.
I ALWAYS trace my patterns. It seems such a waste to cut them! And considering how much uncut vintage patterns are wanted nowadays, this also makes sense for the future. :-) I usually trace them with carbon paper and old ball-point pen that doesn't write anymore onto old newspapers or ads or something, and only when I find out I really like the pattern and would want to make it more times, I trace it onto something more stable.
Nehmah: I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one who's saving ads and such papers in order to use their blank side later on! :D
Another thing to keep an eye on...my office runs "reports" on a daily basis. These reports never get looked at unless we have new trainees, which makes up about 3 months out of the year. In the interim, they run every day and are thrown into the recycling. Recently, some of the girls in the office and I have been collecting them and cutting them in half for scrap paper. But we can't keep up!
I have a stack on my desk for two weeks worth - it's an entire ream of paper! I didn't know what to do with it until my sewing machine came. Now, I count the number of pages a pattern will take and toss some of it into my printer up-side-down. It works like a charm, and when I'm done with the pattern, I use it as scrap paper.