My fabric cutting game changed after a workshop in Chicago

I used to cut everything freehand on a big table, which was messy and wasted material. At a workshop three months ago, the teacher showed us how to make simple paper templates from old grocery bags. Now I trace those first, which saves me about a yard of fabric per project because the pieces fit together better. It's a small step that makes the whole process smoother. Anyone have other cheap tricks for better pattern layout?

2 comments

2 Comments

paul_thompson671mo ago

My grandma taught me to use old newspaper instead of grocery bags, it's even thinner for tracing. I keep a stack of the free weekly paper just for this.

tessa3941mo ago

Yeah, @paul_thompson67, that's smart. I use the ad flyers from the mail, the paper is super thin and slick. It's perfect for tracing a sewing pattern or copying a drawing. I tried regular printer paper once and it was way too thick to see the lines clearly. The junk mail finally has a good use.