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Member since 7/31/12
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Posted on: 7/15/14 6:36 PM ET
What is best way to trace my tissue pattern so that I can save it since all sizes are on the tissue? If I cut the size I want then won't have the tissue available in order to sew in a different size. Tracing using a window or on a large table is so tedious and difficult as I am often in a wheelchair.
  
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Posted on: 7/15/14 6:56 PM ET
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I wish I could tell you there is an easy way - but no there is not. I choose to use Swedish paper and trace off the pieces I need using a big table. The Swedish paper is thin enough to see through so you don't need a light box. You find it HERE!

Since I buy patterns mostly for myself I just cut out my size and am done with it as I hate tracing. If I needed more than one size I'd probably buy another pattern at the next big sale at JoAnns!
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Posted on: 7/15/14 7:48 PM ET
In reply to wiesgyz
I've been tracing on plastic drop cloths but my comment should apply to paper too. Have been using Wonder Clips to secure the plastic pieces to the pattern pieces to trace them. Was thinking that magnets would be handy too. The clips work well as I have been having to move the pieces around to be able to trace from a seated position.
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Posted on: 7/15/14 8:36 PM ET
In reply to wiesgyz
I use the tracing paper sold by Nancy's Notions. It looks exactly like doctors examining table paper. I slip some under the original pattern, then trace from another piece on top of the pattern. Having some of the white tracing paper under the printed pattern makes it easier to see it, for the top layer of tracing paper. IOW, the commercial pattern is sandwiched between two layers of tracing paper, and I trace on the top layer.
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Posted on: 7/16/14 0:58 AM ET
In reply to wiesgyz
Quote: wiesgyz
What is best way to trace my tissue pattern so that I can save it since all sizes are on the tissue? If I cut the size I want then won't have the tissue available in order to sew in a different size. Tracing using a window or on a large table is so tedious and difficult as I am often in a wheelchair.

Well, would it be possible for you to put some type of board on your bed (masonite, maybe) that could be rotated/moved toward you, kinda over your lap a bit? The only other thing I can think of is some type of table that could partially fit over your wheelchair.

As far as tracing media, you received several good answers. There's also this paper available at amazon. I've used the 24 inch wide canary, and I like it, although it's a little more expensive. I wouldn't purchase a roll that was less than 24 inches, though.

I've also used the paper Doris mentioned, and it's a good choice, too. Haven't used the Swedish or plastic.
  
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Posted on: 7/16/14 8:26 AM ET
I actually use cheap wrapping paper (the plain brown/white/silver) you get from discount shop and a tracing wheel. You can get like 8meters for $2.
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Posted on: 7/17/14 10:29 AM ET
Nancy on one of the Sewing with Nancy episodes illustrated a time-saving clip-and-fold technique:
Instead of tracing, Nancy used the original tissue paper.
Nancy didn't cut along the lines of the desired size (which would ruin the pattern for larger sizes) but made perpendicular clips to the desired size in regular intervals and folded back the excess. Along curves, she clipped every 1/4 or 1/2 inch, along straight lines, just at the corners. If a larger size was needed in the future, she would be able unfold the pattern and reclip/refold.

I hope this makes sense. If somebody else can explain it better or provide a link to the episode, please chime in.

I've tried this and it works quite well, especially on those pieces where the multi-size pattern lines don't cross and overlap. Collars, sleeves, pockets, pants, etc. are easy to clip and fold. Bodice parts where the armhole and necklines of different sizes often cross are a bit trickier.

Claudia
  
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Posted on: 7/17/14 5:10 PM ET
In reply to wiesgyz
Quote: wiesgyz
What is best way to trace my tissue pattern so that I can save it since all sizes are on the tissue? If I cut the size I want then won't have the tissue available in order to sew in a different size. Tracing using a window or on a large table is so tedious and difficult as I am often in a wheelchair.

I'm not in a wheel chair at all, but my Mother used one for a while, and yes I did sit in it often, and try to do all sorts of things in it, just to even find and try the best way to find for her to do different things. It's a lot harder than it just looks to be, to get anything done most times.

But since it sounds like you don't really need to be in one all the time, I think the most easy way, if you can just lay it all out on the floor, on a large hard flooring surface in a big empty place, if there is anyway you can just even sit on the floor and reach and scoot around to do that, that might even be the very most easy way really. Then at least you don't have the same kind of "reach limitations" sitting in the chair, that would have at some kind of or any kind of table at all.

I don't like to trace patterns, but if I do, my first choice is to tape them up onto some kind of very large plate glass window and then tape blank paper over them, and use the huge plate glass window, kind of like a large light table. I would not do that though, if unsteady and standing up and down in a wheel chair, as maybe nothing to grab onto then, or it rolling out from under you if wheels not locked, or anything like that. It's just not worth going though a plate glass window over it at all.

Or break down if they are new patterns, sold everyplace still, and just even buy when on good sales, on sale several of them at the same time , and cut in several sizes even.

I think if you had a low enough drafting table, with the top of the table on a tilt like those have, if you had the table top going up and down and some rolls or roller bars, of large paper attached to it somehow, with a turning device for that there on the paper rolls, then maybe you could tape the real pattern to the table top that way, and just keep rolling the paper over it to where you wanted, even just sitting in front of it possibly. That would be a lot of work and kind of expensive though, compared to just buying some extra sewing patterns, if they were pretty cheap.
-- Edited on Today at 5:19 PM --

If you got a large dining room table you can get pretty close to, and you were to put one of those cheapie folding cardboard cutting mats on it though, and cut to any size you want, you might be able to slide those around and rotate them somewhat to get more reach for something like that. But, I still don't think you would be able to get to the very inside most middle point of them at all, without probably standing up instead.
-- Edited on Today at 5:36 PM --
  
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Posted on: 7/18/14 0:20 AM ET
A folding table like this
Lifetime table that adjust in height might work for you as you could adjust it to the right height for you. It is 24" deep so you would be able to reach across it easily, although patterns larger than the table would have to be traced in stages (with part of the pattern overhanging). A card table might also work, as you could reach most of the table easily.
I have folding table similar to the lifetime one and trace at the lowest height while sitting on the sofa.

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Posted on: 7/18/14 8:38 AM ET
I trace on to "doctor paper". It's thin enough to see through and easily follow the lines. I have one of those cardboard cutting mats on my cutting table(get them at Hanock's for $9.99). Pins can be pushed through the paper and into the cardboard to help hold everything in place. Then I trace around the size that's need with a pencil and make all the necessary markings.

If you have trouble standing for any length of time at the table, how about using a bar stool for a short time. I have one that I use if I'm hand basting something and need the space the cutting table affords, but can't stand up all bent over for the length of time needed to complete the project.
  
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