Tracing Paper
#1
Super Member
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Tracing Paper
I have 2 original designs I want to turn into quilts, but I'd really like to make sure they'll work on a larger scale. I'm thinking tracing paper would work the best for this purpose.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what to look for? Grids? Sheets or rolls? Shade of white or ivory? Anything else?
If you use tracing paper for design work, what are your favorite features about your preferred brand/style? Thanks in advance for any help. I've been working out a lot with actual fabric/muslin and was thinking this might help save some time.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what to look for? Grids? Sheets or rolls? Shade of white or ivory? Anything else?
If you use tracing paper for design work, what are your favorite features about your preferred brand/style? Thanks in advance for any help. I've been working out a lot with actual fabric/muslin and was thinking this might help save some time.
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
To scale my original designs I use graph paper so I can get the size/ frame what I want. Then I can assign square size and determine pieces, yardage etc. I use tracing paper to copy/ trace appliqués for a master copy sometimes.
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Not 100% sure I understand how you are going to use the tracing paper. You imply that instead of fabric/muslin you are going to use tracing paper? Are you thinking of actually constructing a block with it?
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
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#5
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,966
I just saw this at my Bee yesterday from another member. For enlarging a pattern, she scanned and put it in "Paint" on her computer. She printed out on 8 1/2 x 11 and taped them together. Then traced onto wide freezer paper paper for a complete pattern.
#8
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I use tracing paper often for designing quilting motifs (the actual quilting part, not the piecing part), especially when the design repeats, mirrors, flips, etc like in Karen McTavish's "Elemental Quilting" technique. I have also used tracing paper for applique designs that would do the same thing (flip, turn, mirror the same "element" multiple times) or if I want perfect symmetry like a flower that is perfectly symmetrical I will draw half of the design then mirror it by tracing the reverse side of my "element".
When I want to see either full size or with all the repeats, I will draw the element full size as well as the finished shape the element is going to be filling up.
Assume I have a 6" applique element that will fill a 12" block and the applique is the same element repeated and turned 4 times and meets in the middle. I will draw my 12" square which is the shape I am filling. Then subdivide it into the 4 6" squares on my full size tracing paper. Then I will retrace my fraction of the design (the element) in each square turning it or flipping it as needed and retrace onto my master to visualize what the whole design will look like full size and also have a template for transferring the design onto my base fabric. I hope this makes sense.
For tracing paper, I use whatever brand is available but do try to get some larger size pads so I don't have to tape pages together to get full size. Like PP and Tessagin I'm not entirely clear what you are asking, just offering up the ways I use tracing paper in quilting and applique.
When I want to see either full size or with all the repeats, I will draw the element full size as well as the finished shape the element is going to be filling up.
Assume I have a 6" applique element that will fill a 12" block and the applique is the same element repeated and turned 4 times and meets in the middle. I will draw my 12" square which is the shape I am filling. Then subdivide it into the 4 6" squares on my full size tracing paper. Then I will retrace my fraction of the design (the element) in each square turning it or flipping it as needed and retrace onto my master to visualize what the whole design will look like full size and also have a template for transferring the design onto my base fabric. I hope this makes sense.
For tracing paper, I use whatever brand is available but do try to get some larger size pads so I don't have to tape pages together to get full size. Like PP and Tessagin I'm not entirely clear what you are asking, just offering up the ways I use tracing paper in quilting and applique.
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Sorry for the confusion. I would usually take the time & money to make a muslin sample -- going through several iterations with sewing & everything. But my guild is very short on entries for our biannual show, so I thought by going with a full-sized tracing paper template I could work out any problems I have with making it full-sized without having to cut & re-cut my work.
I still plan to make my actual quilt out of standard quilter's cotton fabric.
I still plan to make my actual quilt out of standard quilter's cotton fabric.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: North east
Posts: 360
Bree. I would like to help you but it is difficult not knowing what you are trying to do. Is that the two designs are"original" the reason you are not giving more information. It appears everyone is trying to guess what you are doing And trying to give some information which may or not be helpful.
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