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Member since 7/3/10
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Posted on: 11/27/10 2:34 PM ET
I've gone and bought a tracing wheel and tracing paper today. Read the instructions. As directed put fabric on top of coloured paper, and traced with wheel. Nothing.

I've tried on different surfaces (table, newspaper, carpet). No joy. So I read up on the internet, and tried with tracing paper facing down on fabric. No luck.

What am I doing wrong?! Thanks.
  
Member since 7/16/07
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Posted on: 11/27/10 3:00 PM ET
In reply to rmusic1
First, some colored tracing papers are really wussy -- soft colored chalk that you can barely see. Secondly, is your wheel smooth or serrated? A smooth wheel doesn't do much of anything, in my experience.

I miss the type of colored tracing paper that used to be available up until about 10 years ago (there was wax in it, and the colors really showed and stayed put). The closest I've found in terms of visibility is called Chacopy (made by Clover, I think?). The marks are still not as strong as they were with the waxy traditional colored tracing paper, but quite good -- way better than some types of tracing paper.
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 7/3/10
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Posted on: 11/27/10 3:12 PM ET
the tracing wheel is serrated. I'm struggling to understand why not even a smidgeon of colour is showing, but as you say I may need to reinvest! annoying though as I am in the middle of a project where I need to mark out lines. As a temporary fix I am using tailor tacks and then chalk and a ruler. Thanks for your reply!
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 11/27/10 3:18 PM ET
In reply to rmusic1
I put the tracing paper between the pattern and fabric.

What type of fabric are you using?

Lastly is there a chance you have the tracing paper upside down? I ask because I have down this myself.
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Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 7/3/10
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Posted on: 11/27/10 3:21 PM ET
I'm using silk, which has a check pattern (so different colours). I've been using the tracing paper with the colour facing up and the fabric on top, and have also tried it with the color facing down and the fabric underneath.

Thanks.
  
Member since 4/28/02
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Posted on: 11/27/10 8:40 PM ET
In reply to rmusic1
Here are some links to help you:
linky1
linky2

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from Daytona Beach, FL
http://mary-sews.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 3/26/03
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Posted on: 11/27/10 8:54 PM ET
In reply to rmusic1
I can't help you, but I wanted to encourage you that you are not alone. I've sewed for years, and use tailor tacks, marking pens, chalk wheels, chalk and even pencil. I don't use a tracing wheel and paper because when tried to use it, I couldn't get the darn stuff to work. Like you I tried it on different surfaces, and I know I was using the right side. I tried the other side just in case. I decided that maybe the paper was old even though I had just purchased it. I never got around to purchasing more because what I do seems to work.
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Patty
  
Member since 6/10/10
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Posted on: 11/27/10 9:17 PM ET
I have had terrible luck with those awful wax-free tracing paper. I have a pack with several colors (Dritz) and only the white one transfers well enough to be remotely usable. The other colors are completely useless, even when just going through one layer (I also tried with fabric above and below the paper, not much difference.) Of course the white one isn't any good on light fabric either.
  
Member since 12/27/06
Posts: 710
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Posted on: 11/27/10 9:34 PM ET
Does your tracing paper transfer marks when you try another fabric? It sounds so frustrating! And why, why, WHY do companies market and stores sell products that don't work?

I have been using the large professional-size sheets from Greenberg & Hammer in NYC which, sadly, seems to be going out of business. I don't know of another source.... yet.

However, one other paper that I have tried and liked is Saral, which is marketed mostly in art-supply shops. Don't know if it's available in UK, but worth a look, maybe.
  
Member since 2/12/06
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Posted on: 11/27/10 10:18 PM ET
One of the things I've done is to use a piece of clear plastic, like a sandwich baggie, on top. That allows me to press down really , really hard with the tracing wheel. Depending on the how fragile the fabric might be I will use several layers so the tracing wheel doesn't leave little holes in the fabric. You do have to hold the plastic in place with your other hand or it'll move as you trace.

Debbie
  
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