Pattern pieces are blueprints to garment construction. The guides that make sewing easier and accurate. Today all manufactured sewing patterns include pre-printed pattern markings. But this wasn’t always so.
So what do you do when you’ve purchased a delicious vintage pattern containing perforated pattern markings?
1. Iron the pattern pieces
Ironing makes deciphering perforations easier, as well as marking the pattern piece.
2. Work on a hard surface
I’ve done it before. I’ve used my bed as a work surface, as well as the carpeted floor. I’m sure I’m not the only guilty one. Give it up. Work from an appropriate work surface such as a sewing table, cutting table or other hard surface.
3. Study the perforations before marking and cutting
Read the instruction sheet, pattern envelope and look over the pattern pieces before doing any construction tasks.
4. Draw on the pattern pieces
It’s your pattern. Use a pencil to make necessary construction notations directly on the pattern pieces if it’ll help marking and understanding easier for you. Draw in the grain line and darts. Write other useful information such as the pattern piece name, “place on fold”, “Cut 1″, “Wrong side”, “right side” and the pattern size directly onto the pattern piece.
Drawing in pattern markings
6. Mark the grainline
I know. I kinda mentioned it earlier. It’s important to mention again. Mark the grain line the FULL length of the pattern piece.
7. Have a sewing book on hand
A good vintage sewing book is handy if you run across an old-time sewing term you don’t quite understand. They’re also plain old quality resources.
8. Identify the pattern and manufacturer
It’s a good ideal to write the name of the pattern manufacturer and pattern number directly onto the pattern piece. If the the pattern piece is lost or misplaced it’s easier to find it’s home. Otherwise you’ll have a lone piece of tissue paper you won’t know what to do with.
9. Pin the pattern pieces together
Doing this will give you some ideal on fitting and a general ideal as to whether or not you’ve marked your pattern pieces correctly.
10. Use a smooth edge tracing wheel.
A smooth edge tracing wheel will not leave the same tiny holes as will serrated tracing wheels.
Sewing Pattern Portal
I am new to quiting. I just came back from a garage sale with some quilting supplies. I bought a Traum Marking Guide for 50 cents. The lady that quilted was not there to ask questions. I've searched the web to find out how to use it. I haven't been able to find anything. I am thinking that it is used for sewing, but not quilting now. Do you know what this is?
Hi Debbie,
I believe what you have is a tracing wheel. And if so, you can use a tracing wheel both both sewing and quilting. It's used to mark fabric prior to cutting. I added a photo for review.
The traum tracing wheel is used in conjunction with fabric marking paper to mark fabric and create perforations in the material.