If you’re into sewing and looking to be more eco-friendly, or just in the mood to save money, especially if you draft original patterns— Switching up your pattern paper is a great place to start. Not only can this help reduce waste, but it can also save you some cash and spark a bit of creativity. Here are eight handy alternatives to traditional pattern paper:
1. Packing Paper
Packing paper is usually about the color of a paper bag, making it light enough to draw on with a pencil so that the markings are clear enough to cut along. Plus, it’s durable enough for repeated use.
2. Wrapping Paper
Don’t throw away the wrapping paper that comes with your holiday gifts. Repurpose it for your sewing patterns. Wrapping paper often has the bonus of a grid on the back, which helps when drafting out patterns for symmetry.
3. Gift Tissue Paper
Those delicate sheets of tissue paper from gift bags can be great for tracing patterns. Gift tissue paper is probably the trade-in most similar to pattern paper in that it is thin enough to use stick pins, just like you do when pinning premade patterns. Plus, you’re keeping them out of the trash.
4. Old Posters or Posterboard
Old posters or poster boards are fantastic for pattern making. Because old posters have imagery printed on them, you may need to use the backside or a thin sharpie to ensure you can see the lines you need to cut along for your pattern. They’re sturdy and can withstand multiple uses.
5. Shoe Paper
That thin, crumpled paper inside new shoes? Don’t toss it! It’s lightweight and easy to work with for creating sewing patterns. Shoe paper is also great because it’s often thin enough to use stick pins to attach the fabric for cutting out your pattern. It’s another great way to reuse something that would otherwise be discarded.
6. Cardboard Boxes
Flatten out some old cardboard boxes and use them for your patterns. Cardboard is not an obvious choice, but because it holds its shape, you won’t have to pin or clip; you can just trace it right onto the fabric. Cardboard is robust and perfect for templates you’ll use over and over.
7. Old Folders and Manila Envelopes
Don’t throw out those old folders and manila envelopes! They’re perfect for making sturdy sewing patterns. Remember, they are a little bigger than a tabloid sheet when opened. That makes them ideal for medium-sized patterns that are larger than a letter-sized sheet of paper. If you have multiple folders, just tape them together to craft larger items.
8. Magazines and Calendars
Outdated magazines and calendars are a treasure trove for pattern paper. The glossy pages of magazines are particularly durable, and the large calendar pages offer plenty of space for bigger pattern pieces. Although pins wouldn’t be ideal for magazine and calendar paper, tracing along the outer edge directly onto the fabric with a fabric pen would do the trick.
9. Left-over Wallpaper
Leftover wallpaper is like heavy-duty paper that you don’t have to pin but can just trace like posterboard and reuse. Instead of folding it, you’ll likely need to roll it, and using a thin marker for drafting works best.
10. Used Plotter Paper
Used plotter paper is another great option. Weight-wise, it’s less thick than posterboard but not quite as thin as tissue paper. It’s easy to work with and provides a sturdy surface for tracing and cutting patterns.
11. Floral Paper
Finally, floral paper is a lot like kraft paper and about the same as packing paper but a little thinner. When you receive flowers, save the paper they come wrapped in for your pattern-making. It’s durable enough to trace and reuse, making it a great option between showing gratitude and putting them in water.
Switching to these alternatives can make your sewing projects more sustainable and fun. You’ll be giving new life to materials that might otherwise go to waste while also adding a unique twist to your sewing process. Happy sewing!
About Post Author
