All my patterns...

During my Fit & Sew Retreats, we always discuss how and where to store all your SFD patterns that you end up drawing.  Over a year ago, I did write a blog on this very topic, but since we have a number of new members, it's a good idea to share this information once again.

From one of my recent Retreat attendees, this suggestion was offered.  Barbara (from Utah) sent this idea and these photos.  First, get a couple packages of Velcro cord ties and Key Tag labels.

And you'll need on over-the-door fabric stabilizer organizer - which she thinks she purchased from Nancy's Notions.

Each pocket holds a different group, ie. personal body blueprint, bodice patterns, pants patterns, shirt patterns.  Just roll your patterns, use the colorful Velcro ties with a key tag (write on the tag what the pattern is) and into its home over the door it goes.  Since this organizer bag is designed for storing stabilizer, it's wide enough for the widest roll of SFD 24" wide tracing vellum.

This is a great idea if you don't have shelf space for your patterns.  And the tags make it easy to read what each pattern is.  The vellum doesn't get creased - your patterns are easy to grab and re-use.  Personally, I'd likely also roll the patterns on an empty paper towel tube - just to make sure there are no unnecessary folds or creases.

To see the other pattern storage ideas, Click Here.

Barbara...thanks so much for sharing!

If you have other techniques for pattern storage, please comment and or send a photo.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

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Pattern Storage Dilemma?

How do I store my vellum patterns?

I've had this questions asked of me numerous times, and I've seen others discussing this issue in the Stitcher's Guild SFD Forum.  So let's take a look at what your various options are.

Depending on your storage space in your closet or sewing room you may want to implement one of the following.

Folded in Envelopes

 

You can always fold the vellum patterns.  Only make enough folds to put the pattern into either a manilla envelop or plastic bag.  If it's a manilla envelop, the 9.5" x 12.5"  size works well.  Make sure you label the envelop, tape a swatch of fabric to the outside, and if you have a photo of (yourself) in the finished garment, print one out and tape it on too.  Or, if using a plastic see-though bag, the 1 quart size work really well.  Pin a swatch of fabric to the pattern and of course, label the pattern with a date drawn.  This way, it's quick and easy to identify what you designed, what fabric you used and when you sewed it.  Then just stack the patterns in a box.  To re-use this folded pattern, you can always gently press the vellum with a low heat - DRY iron.  Press just on the crease and only enough to flatten.

Rolled on a cardboard tube

Or...Save the internal tube from your tracing vellum rolls.  I particularly like the 18" wide tube from the 50 yd vellum.  It seems to be just the right length for many pattern shapes.  Of course, the tube from the 24" long vellum is excellent for larger sized pattern pieces like wide sleeve patterns.  Then roll the pattern pieces around the tube, tape or pin a swatch of fabric to the pattern, label what the pattern is and when you drew it...then put a rubber band around it.  Makes good sense...no creases to deal with when you go to re-use the pattern.

Toilet Paper Tube

A customer suggested this alternative.  She used empty toilet paper rolls - rolled the pattern pieces quite tight, stuffed them inside the toilet paper tube, then let the pattern roll expand till it fills the tube.  Clever!  Of course, label the tube and pin or tape a fabric swatch to the roll for easy identifcation.

Just simply rolled & rubber-banded

And last, but certainly not least, as I'm sure you can come up with other options, just simply roll the pattern, label, swatch it, and put a rubber band around it.  There's nothing supporting the roll, but if you gently stack these in one of those clear plastic storage bins, they shouldn't get crushed and will be easy to unroll and use the next time you want that particular pattern.

My favorite is rolled on a hard cardboard tube.  Please share your favorite storage system in the Comments box.  I know others would like to know what you do too..

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Storing & Organizing SFD Supplies

It's been brought up in discussion groups more than once...how is the best way to organize, store and keep all of your SFD patterns, leaflets, instruction books and tools handy for easy reference?

I'd like to share with you how one lady is doing this.  Vicki (who has given her permission to post this info) developed her binder system of storage.

She recommends choosing a binder that is at least 2" wide. (Her's currently isn't, so that's why she knows the wider binder would be preferable).

Then, she has removed the spine from all of the kit instruction books, as well as all the designing books, hole-punched them and put them in their new home.

For all the templates and Designer's Companion, Vicki added clear plastic see-through sleeves that had a pocket for quick, easy storage of the items.

All the Fashion Leaflets, instruction books, templates and tools had a home, which made it so easy to see where everything was.

I would recommend adding divider tabs to allow for distinct separation for the Dress, Pants, Shirt, Children's and Men's Pants supplies.

For the large master patterns, she put a hole in the top and hung them on the wall so they could hang straight, but she says you could store them in the envelopes they come in, place them in the back of the binder with one of those big black binder clips to keep them in place.

(One thing I will add, is DO NOT try to press the creases out of the master patterns with an iron.  The heat from the iron will smear the ink as it is heat-sensitive. Simply smoothing the creases by hand is all you need to do then when working with the master patterns, just tape them down to your cutting table work surface.)

What a great idea, Vicki!  Thanks so much for sharing.

And for your finished drawn pattern, I either fold them, then label with the date the pattern was drawn, what my measurements were (particularly if you are loosing/gaining weight), pin a swatch of fabric to the vellum for easy identification, and put them in a plastic baggy.  This way they are easy to identify for future use.  The creases are easy to press out with a DRY, warm iron (no steam please).

Or, you can roll the patterns on an tube, like the empty tracing vellum tube.  I still label and identify each pattern, but now the vellum does not have any creases in it.

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The Bobbsey Twins in Lace

I'm sure many of you know that Joy (from Joyful Expressions) loves using her Sure-Fit Designs patterns and that she's sewn a 'million' tops from the SFD Dress Kit Bodice pattern.

When Joy read my blog 'Sheer Experience Revisited', she commented how much she liked the sheer lace fabric I used.  For those of you who missed this blog, just click here - 'Sheer Experience Revisited'

And, if you don't want to go back and read it...I next to never wear lace or sheer fabrics. But my girl friend had sent me miles of this fabric after she'd finished making a couple of tank tops and I decided it would look great with the new black slinky outfit I was sewing.  Since I had lots left over, and Joy commented that she'd love some, I shared the remainder with her.  Here we are, the Bobsy twins (well...not quite), in our matching Comfy Cardigans from Beyond Bodice Basics.

Joy doesn't like her tops too long, so obviously she designed a much shorter version.

In addition to this photo, Joy loves making videos, so the following 3 videos recount her experiences of drawing up the pattern, dealing with the extremely bouncy, stretchy selvage (PS - I cut mine off too to get the fabric to lay flat - I'd also never seen anything quite like it!), and her final show and tell.   In the third video, she talks about sewing the back neck seam and some of the issues she had.  I think we were going about making that seam happen in two different approaches.  If you have a Beyond Bodice Basics designing book - this is on page 22 - step 7.  The process to do this type of enclosing seam works well, and Joy is right that you have to roll much of the body all up like a sausage, stuff it inside, sew the seam and then pull the stuffing out.  Maybe I should do a video on this step.  It's easier to see it done than it is to write the directions.

Lace Cardigan Video #1

Lace Cardigan Video #2

Lace Cardigan Video #3

Joy, I'm glad you're having so much fun and success using your Sure-Fit Designs patterns.  Thanks for being such an avid supporter!
Kindly,
Glenda

PS - The Bobbsey twins were actually brother and sister. But oh well, I'm sure not many of you would know that unless I told you.  Aren't they cute?

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