How To: Trace a Dressmaking Pattern

Learn how to accurately trace or copy a dressmaking pattern. How to copy curves and difficult lines, the paper you should use and equipment required.

LINKED TUTORIALS

FEATURED - UK
Tracing Paper: Coming Soon!

FEATURED - US

[mrgarner]

I used to be able to open a pattern, choose the size to my measurements from the pattern provided, lay it out, cut and sew. No sew anymore.
Thank you for all the tips for copying the pattern.
I am enjoying your videos...thank you for the detail you provide.

[sharirogers]

I work at my family's medical supply store in the San Francisco area, and we sell rolls of the sort of paper you sit or lie down on when you go to the doctor. It's called exam table paper, and we sell it in two widths-18" and 21". Both sizes come in 225-foot rolls and we sell them for $8 per roll. I use the 21" for tracing patterns, and when I've got the pattern how I want it, I take the exam table paper version and trace it onto brown packaging paper. The pieces of each pattern can then be rolled up and placed inside a mailing tube or something similar. Just label it on the outside of the tube!

[heatherwade]

Wow! I thought I already knew how to use a pattern....I was wrong!! This was great, I learned so much, again. Thank you Aneka, I'm so happy I found your channel.

[johannebrunner]

She is very thorough. Accuracy and a clean job. You can tell her sewing must be outstanding.

[hayatelm]

Of all the youtubers with sewing tutorials you are my favorite! Very clear and beautiful finishing always!

[rebeccacasella]

I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for sharing your knowledge! I'm self taught and am finally taking my sewing to the next level because of your tutorials. I really want to learn how to draft my own patterns and would appreciate any advice. Thank you so much! Cheers 😁

[sharcarter]

So glad I found your channel. I live in the US. Please share your tracing paper recommendations.

[violette]

Super helpful. I could sew but wanted to improve and started trying to make copies of patterns and make some drafts for sewing my own underwear. All to avoid shopping. I started using Pellon and because I had to use a pattern in a book, I just ordered a vintage super foldable cardboard cutting board which has a grid on it so I can enlarge the pattern if I can't get to a copy machine. I liked your advice on coloring/colouring your size lines on the pattern and penciling the curves if you are not able to with the French curve.

[queenkie]

Omg, i came across your channel and I literally binged watched your videos and it has thought me so much. Your teachings are so clear and understanding.. thank you so much for all your teachings; Really appreciate your channel & you.. your

[I_sew_slow]

Could you put a link we’re I can purchase the Tracing Paper you used?

[eliea]

Hello from Los Angeles, CA. I found you last week on You Tube and have been watching you ever since. I love your step by step instructions. You are very organized and make professional videos. Thank you! I greatly appreciate all you videos! You are awesome!

[jodhidee]

What an incredibly clear and thorough tutorial. Thank you!

[hechetonchieres]

Excellent tutorial and excellent production values at an excellent price (free!). Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful.

[cherryminer]

A costume designer uses 3.5 to 4.0 mil see thru plastic used in construction. Came in rolls. He copied with a thin Sharpie. Looked a useful idea and a sturdy choice.

[pattygardner]

Wow, Aneka! Thank you for your very prompt reply. And thank you for the edit. That's very sweet to go to all that trouble. I really intended you to think about it and maybe reconsider more demonstrations in future tutorials. I think your a great instructor and have learned a lot from you. Thanks again for taking my suggestion seriously.

[glynisansara]

as usual, a detailed, clear instruction. Many thanks.

[Silver_Threads_Sewing]

Thank you for another informative tutorial! I am learning a lot from your measuring and tracing instructions

[norma]

I find it easier to put the original pattern on top and with tracing paper and a blunt tracing wheel trace onto the bottom pattern paper. Thanks for a great video. 👍🏻

[r.z.]

This tutorial is so helpful and much appreciated! Thank you very much!

[jcddcjjcdnz]

I use lunch wrap paper and when it is not wide enough I sew 2 pieces together with a 3/8 inch seam which I fold flat. I find this better that taping. Grease proof paper is good too and usually has one side that takes the pencil better than the other. Silicon coated backing paper is less good. Thanks for the video.