Sewing Pattern Tracing Tips & Techniques to Create Reusable Templates

Tracing pattern pieces and creating reusable templates can make your projects more efficient and precise. Let's dive into the materials and techniques that will help with this process!

Getting Started with Sallie Tomato Patterns

All Sallie Tomato patterns are designed to be printed on standard 8-1/2" by 11" paper. To ensure accuracy, check your printer settings to print at 100% or actual size. A test square is included in the pattern for you to measure after printing, ensuring the document is correctly sized. Avoid the "Fit to page" setting as it will resize the pattern.

Essential Materials for Tracing Patterns

Here are a few materials that are easy to use for tracing patterns:

Copier Paper: Suitable for simple, single-use tracing.
Pattern Tracing Paper: More translucent than copier paper but less durable. Great for temporary patterns.
Pattern Tracing Material (Pattern Ease): Somewhat translucent and fabric-like, making it more durable.
Plastic Template Materials: Very sturdy for multiple uses and easy for tracing. Some varieties have printed grids, which some find distracting, so plain template plastic might be preferred.

Helpful Tools for Pattern Tracing

To make tracing easier, consider using the following tools:

Light Box or Window: A light source from underneath or behind the layers of paper makes it easier to see the lines you want to trace.
White or Light-Colored Countertop or Table: These surfaces can act as a light box.
Permanent Pens or Markers: Use these to match the line width of the printed pattern.
Washi Tape: Use this to hold patterns or pages in place for accurate tracing.
Pattern Weights: These hold the layers in place when using a light box or table surface.
Rotary Cutter, Mat, Rulers, or Scissors: Essential for cutting out your traced patterns.

Examples of Tracing Patterns

Let's review a few scenarios where tracing patterns is beneficial:

Preserving Original Patterns: Pattern pieces are often printed on both sides of the paper. Tracing allows you to preserve the original pattern by avoiding cutting through it.

Creating Full Patterns: Some pattern pieces are printed as half patterns to fit on an 8-1/2" by 11" sheet. Trace a mirror image to create a full pattern. The 'cut on fold' line becomes the centerline of the pattern. This is particularly useful for patterns like Gwen or Cloud.

Assembling Tiled Patterns: Large or uniquely shaped patterns may be printed in sections and need to be assembled before use. Matching letter or color markings is crucial. Patterns like Ferris or Mason require this step. Tracing helps preserve the original pattern while making assembly easier.

Stacked Patterns: Some patterns have nested pieces, where two similarly shaped pieces are stacked. The Backyard Caddy pattern is a perfect example. Trace each piece individually to ensure accuracy.