Crayolas and Soil Separator - Sewing Cloth

Ahhh...did my title catch your attention?

I've been busy looking for some type of media to use when I trace out my patterns on my new sewing cloth. So far, the winner is...Crayola Pencils! There's got to be a good reason why they are preferred by teachers. Let me tell you, I first tried my reliable Ultra Fine Sharpie. Well doggone if that didn't bleed right through the cloth. I know, I've been warned. But I had to try it. Good thing I had paper protecting my cutting table underneath.

I am finding that regular pencils leave behind smears and can get all over my hands. I know, I did recommended it along with my tracing paper in a previous post. As you can see in the pictures...the pencil dust/smears gets everywhere and my pattern weights are turning a dingy color from my grungy fingers.

So far, I have found that the Crayola Pencils works really well with the sewing cloth and my tracing/sketch paper.

Here, you can see I've traced out a sample using one of the Crayola pencils. I did have to trace over the lines twice. That probably had more to do with my eyes getting bad (that's another story).

After I finished tracing, there was hardly any trace of the Crayola pencil markings on the KS pattern sheet underneath.

This will be interesting to see what I can do with 12 colored pencils when I start using this cloth. Good thing I didn't get the 24 pack of colors. lol!

Again, I will keep you posted as I start using this cloth more and more.

How Do I Trace My Patterns?

To go along with my previous post of my favorite tracing tools, I thought I would provide a simple tutorial on how to trace a pattern. This might be similar to what you already do or this might be completely new to some of you who don’t know where to begin.

First of all, I expand my cutting table to accommodate my cutting board…not fully extended because my sewing space is very small. I open my pattern sheet and lay it out on my cutting board. Sometimes, I leave my pattern sheet like this overnight (e.g. KwikSew) to give the paper time to flatten/relax.

I take my sketch paper roll and lay it over the pattern piece I want to trace. I place my weights over the flat area of the tracing paper and unroll until I incorporate the entire single pattern piece. In my example, it’s the front pattern piece of my shorts. I then cut the paper from the roll. I rearrange my pattern weights to make sure both papers (tracing & pattern) are flat.

I am ready to start tracing. I use my pencil to trace the outline of my pattern. I use my yardstick for most of the lines. Here, I show my small straight lines going around a curve. Then I go back and fill in the missing line by hand…producing a curve. A lot of times, I trace the whole curve by hand.


Next, I use my Sharpie Ultra Fine marker and mark my notches, grain line, shorten/lengthen lines, dots, circles, darts, pleats, etc. My own personal preference is to write the pattern name and number, pattern piece number, name of pattern piece (e.g. front, back, collar), size I traced, and any finished measurements (e.g. bust, waist, hip). I have a really good reason for writing all this pertinent information. Once I refold the original pattern sheet(s) and put it back in the envelope, I don't plan on taking it back out again. Here, you see that I've traced 3 pattern pieces on one sheet. Sometimes, I'll have enough room to trace other small pattern pieces on the same sheet.


I cut out my traced pattern pieces with my Fiskar paper scissors. I cut right on the outside edge of my traced lines. Here are examples of my pocket and front pattern pieces along with two other small pieces.

When all of my pattern pieces are traced and cut out, I will go ahead and make the necessary pattern adjustments (e.g. shorten the length). I found that Scotch Magic Tape works well with this paper.

I am now ready to place my traced pattern pieces on my fabric.

I will mention that this can be a time consuming process. Sometimes, I will spend one weekend day just tracing several patterns. That way, I am ready to go once I have the fabric selected. My sewing room receives natural light in the morning and so that is the perfect time for me to trace.

I have demonstrated this pattern tracing technique in my sewing class and my students thought this was one of the best learning experiences they had.

Happy Sewing!

Why Do I Trace My Patterns?

It all started with a simple Simplicity pattern 3 years ago. I cut out the pattern pieces to the size I thought I was, sewed up the top…and it didn’t fit and it just looked terrible on me. First frustration and not a good sign for a beginner. Back to Hancock’s and I am introduced to Kwik Sew patterns. Came home with new pattern in hand and fell in love with the sturdy pattern paper. What did I do? I take my scissors and cut out the pattern pieces with the size I thought I was. Fortunately, that top I made did fit me.

Then I was scratching my head. Expensive pattern, now cut out to a specific size. Can’t reuse for another size. Duh!

I did some research to see what others were using. I went to my local favorite stores to see what was available. I happened to stumble upon the Staedler paper at Staples.

With my second KS pattern, I taught myself to trace a pattern. Out of habit, I continue to trace all my patterns. Even the Big 4 patterns (and I dislike the pattern paper they use).

Why do I trace?
- I trace to keep the original pattern in tack
- I trace to make adjustments on the traced paper.

I have traced a lot of patterns and some of you are probably wondering...where do I put my traced pattern pieces? That will be another post for another day.

My next post will be on “How Do I Trace My Patterns".

My Favorite Tracing Tools (updated)

I have received some questions from fellow sewers on PR…what do I use to trace my patterns? Great question. Here are the basic tools I use: tracing paper, yard stick, 18" ruler, pattern weights, pencil & eraser, and a Sharpie marker.


For the tracing paper, I use Staedler’s sketch paper (on a roll). It’s an 8lb lightweight tracing paper that loves my Sharpie marker. I don’t have a problem with bleed through on this paper with my Ultra Fine Sharpies. It comes in two sizes (rolls). The roll shown in the picture is 18” x 50 yards and it’s the widest roll I’ve seen available. It’s a highly transparent paper and accepts pencil, ink, charcoal & felt tip markers. My only issue with this paper is water. Be careful when using this paper, not to get any moisture on it. This roll was about $15 at my local Staples.

To keep the tracing paper flat over my pattern paper I use my pattern weights. You can use other heavy items, like a stapler, small cans of sliced olives, metal washers, etc. I think you get the idea.

For tracing the lines, I simply use a pencil Crayola Colored Pencils. I found the Crayola Colored Pencils do not leave behind dust/grit. When I used the regular lead pencils...my hands and tools (e.g. white pattern weights) would get dirty. Not the case with the colored pencils.

For marking the pattern, I use an Ultra Fine Sharpie. I mark my notches, dots, squares, shorten/lengthen lines, grain lines, darts, pleats, etc. I also use it to write my pattern information, size, finished sizes, etc.

For tracing straight lines, I use my metal yard stick. You can easily use a wood or plastic version. I also have an 18” plastic ruler for drawing smaller lines. I prefer the metal ruler for it’s added weight, as I get less shifting/movement while tracing.

For tracing curved lines, I use nothing but my hand. I’ve gotten really good with drawing curves by hand. I think that’s related more to my drawing/sketching/painting experience. There are curved rulers available that can help you trace a curve.


I was out and about last night with DH and made a trip to our local Lowe’s. I found the Carriff Soil Separator Cloth. I bought the smallest roll (in width) they had: 24” x 300’. This roll was located next to the black drainage tubes that are used to help with drainage around the house. This roll was about $18. On Carriff's website...they do have a listing for Sewer's Cloth which has the same SKU number as the soil separator cloth. Interesting, huh? For the rest and future posts, I will refer to this cloth as "sewing cloth". I'd rather use a sew-friendly terminology. :)

DH who works in the plant nursery business, mentioned that he could get this cloth for me. I told him, let me try this out and see if I like it enough to get a humongous roll. lol!

I plan on trying out my new sewing cloth later today. Part of my test will be to find a writing tool that doesn't bleed on this cloth. I will post my findings and results later.

Stay tuned for a future post on "why do I trace my patterns".


** Update: I forgot three other tools that I use: a cutting board, Scotch (Magic) tape, and a good pair of paper scissors **

I have a foldable cardboard cutting board that I use over my wood cutting table. I use it to protect my table from nicks when I use my scissors to cut the tracing paper and fabric. Also, it protects my pins from dulling...the cardboard is softer than my wood table.

The Scotch tape is used when I need to shorten the traced pattern piece or when I need to add on to the tracing paper because the original pattern is wider than the tracing paper roll.

I have special scissors for cutting paper and other non-fabric items. I love using my Fiskars (the orange handle). Lets face it, after tracing so many pattern pieces you want a good comfortable scissor to use.


** Another update: Sketch/tracing paper **

I have two Staples in my local area. One store closest to my house carries the sketch/tracing paper. The other Staples (bigger store) does not. ??? If you can't find the Staedler’s brand, I remember seeing another brand (can't remember the name) at AC Moore and it also came on a roll. You just need to make sure the paper can take felt tip markers...meaning no bleed through.