Transfer Gridded Patterns to Life-Size Paper (Working with Patterns of Fashion & More!)

Have you ever wondered how to work with a book like Patterns of Fashion and transfer a gridded pattern onto life-size paper? This straightforward tutorial explains a simple method for enlarging historical fashion patterns, so you have more resources to work with.

This method allows you to expand outside of only buying commercial patterns for historical fashion and historical sewing, and in turn, the world becomes your oyster.

Once I learned this technique, so many more opportunities fell into my lap.

Some of my favourite historical costuming books that feature patterns on a grid includes:
-Patterns of Fashion
-The Victorian Dressmaker
-Making Working Women's Costume
-The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

Sewing supplies, camera gear, and fashion books I use:
(Please note: these are all affiliate links, so I get a small commission)

#howtosew #patterns #historicalfashion

[VBirchwood]

Thanks for your support and for watching 🥰

[alexandria]

i like using wrapping paper that has the 1x1" grid on the back, they usually have it at the dollar store, and if you mess up when cutting the paper its not like you're wasting anything special

[LiljaHusmo]

Dots & Cross paper is truly magical, learning how to use gridded patterns is such a useful skill!!
One tip: when buying a new roll of marked paper, measure between the marks to make sure it's actually 1”x1”, I've been unlucky and come across ones that are just sliiightly off like 1”x1.25” and it throws everything off 😭

Congrats on releasing your first pattern!!

[nataliestanchevski]

I've used this method to draw a mural on my bedroom wall. I learned it in high school art class many many many many years ago, but I haven't tried a gridded sewing pattern yet. Thank you for the demonstration and good luck with your new venture!

[essi]

Darnit, I love these videos. You really make difficult things understandable. If at any point in future you have time, please do make another historical sewing-tutorial. I'd love an informative video about the ways to finish a seam by hand. I always have trouble especially with heavier, fraying fabrics. And you've become my go to teacher in these things. I just tried honeycomb smocking today for the first time and I love the look of it.

[bjrnegillarsen]

Perfect timing, as I just finished downloading the digitalized versions of several 19th century sewing books that includes patterns

[jessicabey]

Also congratulations on your pattern and more to come I hope!🥰

[watsonmelon]

Thank you for explaining this so clearly - I actually know how to do this know and can't wait to put it into practice

[SimpleDesertRose]

I'm not really big on copy patterns from a book onto a grid. But when I do, I like to use wrapping paper that has a grid. If your wait until after Christmas its really cheap and you can get it on clearance. After I perfect my pattern is like to transfer it onto freezer paper. From there I can just iron the pattern directly onto the fabric and cut out. I can reuse it as often as I need to.

Funny coincidence that your would be releasing a vape pattern when my duaghter came up too me yesterday and told me she wanted me too make her a cape, Lol. Guess I know what my next pattern purchase will be. 😉

Quick question did you make your snood?

[stevezytveld]

Dot and cross paper is truly a gift to humanity. Because whenever I try to draw a grid myself, something, somewhere always goes wonky. I got a roll of it for myself for Christmas. I'm just about to start tracing some ebay vintage patterns I got from the 30's, 40's & 50's to paper in order to work with the pattern without destroying it. Thank you for the very clear explanation of the process.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[audriscarborough]

Your offer for a pattern to make a cape is such perfect timing for me! I believe I mentioned last week or so, that I was going to try and copy yours. Well, a pattern from you is certainly better 😉 I am so excited to get started. As always, I appreciate your tutorials and I really appreciate when you make everything so accessible. You are a wonderful person, with a generous heart.
I wish you many of whatever is wonderful for you,
Audri

[MrMitchellw]

Wonderful pattern tutorial V! Your content and cinematography never cease to impress, not to mention your tenacious entrepreneurial spirit. I appreciate how you included your happy little accident for us mere mortals, just a short detour on the road to success. May I ask what you use to make the imbedded illustrations? Keep up the lovely work Vasi, you are one of kind

[katecapek]

Given that you are doing such nicely detailed mini tutorials, is there the possibility of one on lapped seams?

[isabellaferretti]

Excellent video! Just bought the cape pattern! I quite fancy a summer day cape for breezy summer days. I have twice scaled up patterns this way and I really enjoyed it, though I did it the long and slightly painful way of drawing out all my own 1” squares, and as one of the patterns was a Victorian skirt it too ages to draw all those little squares. Will definitely get some of that dot and cross paper.

[AliciaB.]

Very cool to learn that you are publishing your own patterns

[Emiswitchcraft]

I am so happy I didn’t make mistake doing this myself with 70‘s sewing pattern from magasine (pratice for 18th pattern next). Thank you for your tutorials ❤

[isabellaferretti]

And congratulations on your first pattern issue! 🥂 💐

[audriscarborough]

Hello Vasi,
I am sorry to bother you with my technology ineptitude! I just tried to order the pattern for the cape and leave a tip. I am embarrassed to say that after many tries, I can't manage to check out. After shaking your head and wondering how.... can you please email me back with the steps 😊 Thank you very much in advance for your time and help.
Audri

[carolinemaluca]

This video is brilliant V! I love how you explain things! I always get so confused with patterns. lol 😃👏🏼

[jessicabey]

How would you get it to fit you if its one size? I am thinking know your measurements and expand or decrease from there?