JCrow, have you tried exam table paper from a medical supply store? I use it all the time. It's easy to see through to trace out your patterns, easy to sew through and removes very easily. The downside is that I don't think you can put it through a printer unless you put it on another sheet of paper to hold it. I know it's much cheaper than vellum and readily available as single rolls which last a long time.
I really like using it for quilting borders. I can cut it to the exact size and sew right through it.