a pullover

Recently I made a simple oversized pullover. For the pattern, I traced pieces out of my favorite sweatshirt, because I really love its shape and wanted to try to make a similar built pullover in a different fabric. Since the garment was very loose fitting, I thought that it didn't matter very much to be exact, so I could just trace pieces. I was also curious about how the pattern pieces would look being flat, in a point of sewing hobbiest's view. By the way, I'm not sure if I've ever told it before, but I rarely trace sewing patterns and do it only when I really have to, because I am    not    fond of doing it. Probably it is because either (A)my house is too small or (B)I was born to be lazy. Anyway, and however, the story is different when we talk about tracing patterns from garments. I relatively often trace patterns from my retailed garments, in a very small house, without being unhappy, to satisfy my clothing greediness and curiosity. I take it as a part of procedures of learning to sew, and it is fun to me, but you may think that I'm just stealing and you're totally right about it too. Well...

funny fabric, it is a woven fabric but is very elastic like a knit.

subtly gigantic, if I have to describe.

Anyhow, the main subject is, that I use large pieces of non-woven semi-transparent polyester tissue when I trace patterns from my garments.

It works brilliantly and I strongly recommend it to you if you haven't tried it before. What I am talking about is the same material as the non-woven sheer wrapping polyester tissue/textile that you would use for wrapping gifts and flowers, I hope you know which material I'm talking about. It doesn't slip or move but clings nicely on what you're going to trace. It shows those shy seams in the garment very clearly. As it is made of polyester, it can be ironed. It even can be sewed, if you like to use it as a muslin (it can be washed too, but this doesn't count for anything today, I guess). It is easy to handle but it'll never cut your finger with its edge. The only disadvantage I can find is that it usually costs more than ordinary tracing paper. In Japan, the material is very popular among hobby sewists for tracing patterns, and we can easily get it from fabric/notion shops. And it is not very expensive. That said, if you have to buy colorful and pretty wrapping tissues at your local supermarket for this particular purpose, I imagine it would cost much more than you would be happy with. Nevertheless, I think it is good for anybody to know there are options. If you already have better ideas than mine, my idea can just make your choice even more concrete one. That is good too.

my tissue is having guide lines, but you really don't need them that often.

So, if you can find it for a reasonable price at your DIY/handcraft store and also you are about to trace patterns from your garments, do examine my words and you'll see what I mean!

Happy sewing to every one of you!

Love,
yoshimi

talk to you soon!