Burda Style For people who sew

When I cut my first patterns I thought that this is a waste. After it is cut you can never use an other size ( to make something for your friend/family or your size changes ) So I started to transfer the pattern like I will show. For me this method has only positive attitudes: 1- you can use your pattern as much as you like. 2-you can see through them , makes it easier for some fabrics. 3- its stronger and softer than paper, needles can´t damage it as quick as paper 4. after storrage you don´t have to fight with wrinkles.

Technique Materials

- thicker plastic which is wide enough for your patterns ( I bought house wrap plastic sheet for 2,5$-that´s enough till in ten years ;-) ) - needles ( not on the pic) or tape to fix your work -permanent marker ( dark color ) - scissor -ruler (s) -

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25 Comments

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  Nov 25, 2010, 01.41 PMby stuffit-1

  Thanks for sharing your brilliance with us! :)
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  Oct 9, 2009, 02.31 PMby almatinka

  This is awesome!!! I’m going to buy some of that plastic as soon as I go shopping next time!
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  Aug 26, 2009, 01.51 PMby loretty

  This is a great tip, thanks for sharing it :)
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  Aug 3, 2009, 04.49 AMby begysh

  brilliant!! nowadays i’m looking the way like this. thank you for sharing this how to.
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  Feb 26, 2009, 02.16 AMby lizzie225

  what a great idea, thanks!
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  Jan 1, 2009, 07.32 PMby megwest

  I was going to use butcher paper and a tracing wheel to transfer my patterns… but this is so much better! Thanks for sharing!
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  Aug 6, 2008, 03.42 AMby bathina

  It´s very nice to see how much you like this idea. Thanks again. I would like to add a better solution with cutting: Use a roller-cutter ( is this the right word?) it´s getting sooooooo quick.

  2 Replies

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    Sep 8, 2009, 03.00 AMby tourmaline

    Rotary cutter, perhaps?

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    Sep 8, 2009, 03.42 PMby bathina

    Sorry Tourmaline,

    wanted to replay and clicked the wrong sign!

    What a mess !

    But your idea with the rotarcutter is brillant and I used it but didn´t post it here.

    Sorry again!

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  Jul 15, 2008, 08.26 AMby cathysews

  What a brilliant idea….simple and genius!! Thank you.
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  Jul 9, 2008, 04.32 AMby jeepgirl1970

  Wow! One of the best ideas I’ve ever come across. I wish I could think out of the box like that! Thanks for the tutorial, it’s wonderfully easy to understand and your pictures are great.
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  Jul 5, 2008, 06.21 PMby mausa

  I have always used interfacing its cheap and robust. Use a rule which has a slope to the edge. Turn upside down so there is a slight gap under the rule to the material. When using a pen the nib is not touching the rule edge so the ink does not transfer to the rule and then your fingers.
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  Jun 28, 2008, 10.52 AMby peaceykeen

  This is a really great idea!!
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  Jun 14, 2008, 10.45 PMby camilaustral

  i really like this idea!!
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  May 20, 2008, 05.04 PMby pfaffembroidery

  You are a genius! I would have never thought of plastic, but like you say, it’s perfect for matching fabric design. I wish I had seen this a couple hours ago! I just finished tracing a pattern with a tracing wheel. This would have been easier!
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  May 15, 2008, 05.15 PMby reve

  And here i am messing around with tissue paper and driving myself crazy. going to pick up house wrap tomorrow!! thanks for adding this
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  Apr 20, 2008, 05.07 PMby bathina

  I bought the plastic sheet at loews ( hope I rode it right)
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  Apr 17, 2008, 04.27 AMby kiala

  I’ve copied the pattern onto transparent pattern paper and then glued that on newspaper sheets. But I can not sew that to see how it fits ;) So next I’m going to try this plastic thing :)
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  Apr 12, 2008, 01.18 PMby lsaspacey

  Here is a link to the Swedish tracing paper, about $10 for a 29 inch by 30 foot roll at http://www.createforless.com/Birch+Street+Clothing+Swedish+Tracing+Paper+-+29x+30++White/pid90606.aspx and here is a three for the price of two deal at http://www.birchstreetclothing.com/group.php?itemID=9036&colID=28.
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  Apr 12, 2008, 01.15 PMby lsaspacey

  Here is a links to the Swedish tracing paper, about $10 for a 29 inch by 30 foot roll at http://www.createforless.com/Birch+Street+Clothing+Swedish+Tracing+Paper+-+29x+30++White/pid90606.aspx and here is a three for the price of two deal at http://www.birchstreetclothing.com/group.php?itemID=9036&colID=28.
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  Apr 10, 2008, 03.20 AMby squirrellypoo

  I just use plain ’ol brown craft paper to copy my patterns. I put a photo How-To up on my site: How to trace a pattern
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  Apr 8, 2008, 07.28 PMby bathina

  Thank you all for the fantastic comments…it´s my pleasure to share all the good ideas and get some new ones here from you.

  Like Bell ones..I never thought about using sew on interfacing which is a good idea, too.

  I drafted my first pattern these days and I used the plastic sheet again and it worked out well, too. I did a wraped skirt, so I don´t know how it works with more complicated patterns.
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  Apr 7, 2008, 10.18 PMby bell

  I do the same thing but use sew in interfacing, you can buy it in 10m rolls. I can use the pattern over agin and even pin togather for fitting on me to check I got it correct. I also leaves the original intact so I can do as many variations as I like.
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  Apr 7, 2008, 05.11 PMby jennette

  This is great! I have always copied my patterns onto gift wrap tissue paper but hated the way pins tore into it. This is especially useful if you sew for children!
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  Apr 7, 2008, 12.42 AMby marmota-b

  Wow! This seems even better than the transparent paper I am using. I only have to make sure the marker is really permanent…
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  Apr 7, 2008, 12.03 AMby justelaite

  i always do this way, but never put it as a how to. but it’s great, that this idea will spread! you don’t need to draw on pattern paper, it will always be as new:)
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  Apr 6, 2008, 09.25 PMby cassidyscowgirl

  Brilliant!!!! I may just have to put this on my errand list to pick up tomorrow!