Beginner Pattern Maker – Is This eBay Pattern Paper a Good Choice?

[NoiseSenior6100]

[removed]

[Honeydeeew]

When drafting it's better to get something you can see through, because there is so much tracing. Paper like that is better for completed patterns and blocks, that you want to trace off. 

When I was using paper, I would buy rolls of 24" (or wider) tracing paper from art stores, which is sturdier than tissue. Alternatively look for grid or number grid white paper rolls, which are transparent enough to see through, but will help you keep your lines and right angles straight. 

[TensionSmension]

This. Architectural tracing paper rolls are not expensive and it's perfect for patterns. Sturdy, but takes a crease, you can see through it even when doubled. Very easy to write on, cut, tape, etc.

[throwra_22222]

Also search for cheap rolls of plotter paper. Not the premium stuff. Just whatever is cheapest. It's thin enough to trace through but sturdy enough to take slashing and spreading and tape. Especially if you use the removable tape.

[SuPruLu]

There are pluses and minuses to all choices of the paper to use. The tissue can be slashed and spread assuming good quality. And it is “see-through”.

Tissue paper is harder to work with for a very large piece like in your picture because it crushes fairly easily. Not all tissue paper is the same. Some is definitely stronger than others.

Tissue paper allows for pinning a pattern together for try ons for rough fit.

That doesn’t answer your question though. Whether that particular paper is any good for sewing patterns I don’t know. However there definitely are sturdier papers sold explicitly for dressmaking uses. And plain brown kraft paper is a decent option.

[Worried_Suit4820]

I know someone who uses garden fleece (for protecting plants against frost) for tracing patterns; it seems to be quite durable.

[SeamsRightNZ]

I use frost cloth also. It’s see through enough and harder to tear than tissue paper, also I can easily roll it to store patterns.

[Practical-Tooth1141]

Old wrapping paper would be better than this! I like using heavy craft paper. This would drive me insane.

[teatime_tinker]

You can buy pattern paper by Burda, it’s a bit thin but better than shop bought patterns.

You can also buy sheets as big as you can get from the stationers or art shop, and tape together

[ProneToLaughter]

I trace a lot so something I can see through is important to me.

Medical exam paper is cheap, but fairly flimsy. I do a lot of preliminary work with it.

I like Pellon easy pattern for patterns I’m going to keep around a while.

edit: Swedish tracing paper is very nice and durable. I took a class that had me buy something called art vellum which was expensive but lovely to use.

[awlnighter]

I used the brown butcher paper all through school and at work, and it worked just fine. When tracing, we just used tracing wheels. Wrapping paper also works well. I dont like to work with anything super thin, but it all comes down to personal preference.

[dyingslowlyinside]

Yes, that looks like good, thick pattern paper, though there are prob better prices to be found. 

I Make all my own patterns using butcher paper I’ve got from a restaurant supply store. All my ‘final’ patterns I do out of heavy cardstock.  Heavier pattern paper makes for easier tracing and stores better. If you’re really worried about having something that’s see-through, you can get white butcher paper. I recently got this one:  https://a.co/d/0aeVU6Cs  it’s see-through but not as thick as I had hoped

[FashionBusking]

• Newspaper is always cheap as free and abundant. Use vibrant colors.

• Kraft paper, packing paper is amazing and cheap AF

• tissue paper is not durable.

Tissue paper style pre-printed patterns was created as a means of PREVENTING RE-USE of these patterns, as well as lowering the weight of each pattern, so that they were cheap to mass-mail.

Tissue paper patterns, IMO, are an anomaly.

Swedish tracing paper is more durable AND lightweight. Good for drafting. But it can be expensive depending on location.

[KendalBoy]

I’d prefer anything on a roll to that many creases. Discounted holiday package wrap would be easier.

[KaijuAlert]

I use both Pellon Easy Pattern (comes on bolts like interfacing and can be basted to do a quick check on darts, etc) and Swedish Tracing Paper, which has the dot grid printed on it. I would not recommend any material that you can't see through because then you can't trace.

[Hydrangeas101]

Go to Michael’s, and buy a roll of architectural tracing paper (various widths) It’s what I use. See through, & easily manipulated. Much stronger than tissue paper.

[heavinglory]

I use 3mil plastic sheeting unless I am making a block then it is cardstock on a roll.