Posted in Patterns
A blogging friend asked in a comment,
"...what do you do as far as cutting out the pattern for two different sizes?
Do you trace it? If so, onto what? How?"
I thought I would share this answer...
I trace my patterns so I always have the master copies.
I like to save my master copies because I never know when someone's size will change,
if I want to make something for a family member or friend,
if a family member or friend may want to borrow a pattern, etc...
I have also found that tracing my pattern is more economical
and being a good steward in finances.
By tracing the pattern, I only have to buy one original pattern
and it can be used over and over again and used for many different sizes.
This is especially frugal when I purchase the more quality patterns
that are a bit higher in price, like the recent regency gown.
So... what do I use?
What I use to trace my pattern is a long roll of pattern tracing paper.
I found it at my local sewing store.
I haven't been able to find a roll at Walmart, yet,
so every so often I'll pay a visit to the sewing store instead.
I think the roll cost about $8.00 or so.
But it was worth it for me because I can copy many patterns with one roll.
The roll looks like this:
Keep in mind that this roll is used and does not contain the amount of paper it began with.
I simply roll the paper over the pattern and trace the size I need with a pen or marker.
This was the first thing I taught Ally when I began teaching her to sew.
It's not the most glamorous part of sewing,
but I think it's easier than using that flimsy paper that comes in the pattern envelopes
(like Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's patterns, etc...).
I store our traced patterns in gallon size ziploc bags
and will usually write the pattern number and size on/in the bag.
For example...
Sometimes I will keep the original pattern, in its envelope, inside my bag.
Here is Ally's...
For us, we have found this the best way to use our patterns. 
~ Mama Keeper
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