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Me too! I've got a kids pajama bottom pattern that's about twenty years old, it's been folded and slashed and taped back together again and again. With three grands of different ages (3,5,and almost 7) I've been doing a lot of tracing after making the alterations... But it makes me feel good remembering the changes it's gone through. I've been ironing the big paper sheets WAWAK packs with, works great for short lived tracings.
5347sounds familiar, I call it being thrifty!!. interfacing bought at the Salvo's store years ago has been my standby.........Ann
986Well, seems you have lots of company, me included. Patterns I know for sure I'm going to use a lot, I make copies onto pellon pattern paper, save the original. I can get carried away with those scissors, sometimes, hee hee hee. You just can't replace those older patterns, unless you're lucky and find them on eBay, so you just keep taping, friend!! Hugs, Marji
33451Did you know you can sometimes find a very old, worn out our lost pattern on eBay?
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360367You are DEFINITELY not the only one. I use freezer paper now - trace to the freezer paper then I can iron on the fabric and cut around. WHen it wears out I just make another freezer paper copy by tracing the original again. Seems to work well for me.
11257The nurse at the Doctor's office gave me a whole of the paper they use on examining table. It works great for tracing the pattern.
29242Annie I have got some of these to .But if I have a pattern that is stiff
paper I draw it off and make a pattern so I do not cut the good one
I have lots fo doll and doll dresses I do not cut the pattern they are still like new.
Lenamae
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462502I buy the cheap, thin interfacing often sold pkg'd for $1. It is the 'iron on' kind. I iron my pattern to it and trim around. It seems to last forever, folds easily for stuffing back into the envelope and wrinkles can be pressed out anytime.
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234253I have many favourite patterns full of pin holes and lots of my writing all over them. I now buy 'paper' similar to tearaway and make new patterns from that. I also keep garments (shop bought) that have passed their sell by date, take them apart and use the pieces of material for patterns - all put into envelopes and filed. Sarah.
253102I now use a polyester webbing from nancy's notions. i also embroider patterns onto it that I need to cut a cut applique pieceor if I have a question how a design works, I will stitch it on this cheaper stuff.
173580There was a time when I used to draft my patterns from Enid Gilchrist books onto newsprint or old brown paper bags, taped together to accommodate large pattern pieces. I understand 'the little tears and pin holes' very well because newsprint doesn't hold up very well at all over the years. Later, when I became 'rich' (ha!) I occasionally bought a pattern and found that the tissue was even less able to cope with my sewing addiction. Why I didn't copy those patterns onto other paper beats me but, there you go, I still own some very strangely torn and pieced treasures, too. I think owning such precious pieces marks you as a truly committed sewist! Own those patterns with pride!!!!
AlmaG.
by pennifold
29 Oct 2013
Meg has those Enid Gilchrist books too Alma! They must be an antique by now - no pun intended about your age meant! he he he! Love Chris
I've only just recently started cutting out patterns onto vilene or some similar paper!
by almag
30 Oct 2013
Oi!!!!! wot's this antique thingy??????
I learnt to sew clothes from Enid Gilchrist's pattern instructions and they must have been good because they taught me all I know about sewing clothes.
The clothes for the children were so well-fitted for play - roomy, comfortable - that they leave today's clothes for kids far behind. They actually fitted the Aussie Kids' body - no bare tummies, no bare backs when children were lifted up..... pinnies, overalls (long and short), quick play clothes and 'best' clothes, summer and winter wear.
Some of my newsprint patterns are now 55 years old... so is my first baby..... :}
17214I'm with you here! I have patterns years old and I take brown wrapping pattern and trace the pieces out again since the pieces are so ragged. But, they are still very valuable and have many happy memories.
5660I do the same thing ... Scotch tape is one of my best friends ! ;-)
488I take tissue paper and trace mine out for the same reason, lol! I have a few "favorite" patterns I use over and over in this fashion. That way the original is still available if i misplace a piece and need to retrace it.
So no you are not the only one, lol!
Hugs
Diane
22354I think it's sweet and just goes to show it's a very special pattern. hugs, Susan
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9536Make a pattern out of pellon (interfacing) and you will have the pattern for ever....
by graceandham
28 Oct 2013
I agree - it deserves it! But, I remember, the only recipes in my Mother's files worth trying were the ones with flour or grease on the card...
by sbott54
29 Oct 2013
Isn't that the truth! If it's not loved then it's clean and too pristine to have been a favorite! My grandmother's cookbook is a tattered mess, but I still make the same recipe from it from memory now.
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