Community / Sewing /
7208
by AuntAnnie 29 Oct 2013 ( edited Nov 01'13 06:31 )
+52

Please tell me I'm not the only one with a favorite pattern that has been taped back together after being used over and over again.

I pulled out my favorite apron pattern to begin making a new batch for Christmas. I had to laugh at myself when seeing all the little tears and pin holes that have been "repaired" with clear tape. My family and friends often say I am cheap and this appears to be another piece of evidence for them.

Comments (22)
30656
by jerrib 29 Oct 2013
+15
Make a pattern out of pellon (interfacing) and you will have the pattern for ever....
3 comments
by graceandham 29 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.
by pennifold 29 Oct 2013
They are the best! Love Chris
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by joansatx 29 Oct 2013
+13
Oldies and goodies and lots of memories. Works for me,too.
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by rsehorse 29 Oct 2013
+12
I think it's sweet and just goes to show it's a very special pattern. hugs, Susan
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by sewfrenzie 29 Oct 2013
+11
I 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
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by Anasazi 29 Oct 2013
+11
I do the same thing ... Scotch tape is one of my best friends ! ;-)
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by sbott54 29 Oct 2013
+10
I'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.
17214
by almag 29 Oct 2013
+12
There 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.
2 comments
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..... :}
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by cfidl 29 Oct 2013
+10
I 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.
255054
by airyfairy 29 Oct 2013
+10
I 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.
1 comment
by AuntAnnie 29 Oct 2013
Have never seen a "sell by date" on a manufactured garment.
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by pennifold 29 Oct 2013
+10
You're not the only one! Love Chris
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by awesome1 29 Oct 2013
+12
I 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.
4 comments
by sewilso 29 Oct 2013
That is a great idea!!
by AuntAnnie 29 Oct 2013
I love this idea!
by hightechgrammy 30 Oct 2013
What a great idea... we could probably save the old ones that way!
by idlebird 01 Nov 2013
That's a great idea. I'll be doing this in the future.
463429
by sewmom 29 Oct 2013
+8
Me too!
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by lenamae 29 Oct 2013
+8
Annie 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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by dee 29 Oct 2013
+7
The 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.
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by pcteddyb 29 Oct 2013
+8
You 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.
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by noah 30 Oct 2013
+6
lol believe me you are not alone hugs
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by draco 30 Oct 2013
+5
You're not alone. Been there , done that .. *
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by dragonflyer 30 Oct 2013
+5
Oh, this is sooo familiar...scary!
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by hightechgrammy 30 Oct 2013
+5
Did you know you can sometimes find a very old, worn out our lost pattern on eBay?
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by marjialexa 31 Oct 2013
+3
Well, 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
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by ribblev 31 Oct 2013
+2
sounds familiar, I call it being thrifty!!. interfacing bought at the Salvo's store years ago has been my standby.........Ann
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by pinon 01 Nov 2013
+1
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.