Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Pattern Weights from the Toy Box

I was taught to pin a sewing pattern to the fabric to cut it out.  Clumsy and time consuming.  A few years ago, I started weighting the pattern with whatever heavy objects were at hand.

But if you have a child who loves trains at your house, you have the best pattern weights around:  wooden train tracks.


Ben delights in helping and having "a job."  He fetched all the tracks for me, then watched closely as I cut a shirt dress out of a sheet (the one he is sleeping under on the camping trip).


And yet, it is possible to buy manufactured pattern weights.  I'll save my money for other things, thank you!
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9 comments:

  1. Deanna BethMarch 7, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    Pattern weights. Hunh. That's a thing? I wouldn't trust the pieces to stay still.

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  2. LisaMarch 7, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    My things cut out MUCH better with weights (knick knacks), than with pins - I don't think I ever get the pinning just right - it never looks entirely flat.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 7, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    I sure rebelled about using weights...but now, I can not seem to go back to pinning :-)

    Maria

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  4. RhondaMarch 7, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    brilliant! both in using toys for weights and the sheet for a blouse.

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  5. PollyMarch 7, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    You are brilliant. I must try this. I LOATHE (cannot over overstated) using pins. LOATHE. LOATHE. But I've never tried pattern weights because I thought that seemed kind of fiddly.

    Now you are telling me I can use toys. The possibilities are endless--we have excellent, heavy wooden blocks. And Ankor blocks. These could all work, I think....!

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  6. RebeccaMarch 8, 2012 at 6:47 AM

    Well...two confessions here: I bought pattern weights (they were so sweet in their little box). I really don't like them. I felt like I had to awkwardly work around them and the pattern pieces didn't stay as still as they do pinned. Pins for me. (I'll give you my weights.)

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  7. MargoMarch 8, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    hmmm, maybe what I'm seeing is that some of us are pinners and some are not. I avoid pins when I can!

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  8. Sew Blessed Maw [Judy]March 8, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    What a fantastic idea.. An so wonderful that your little buddy can help you.. Treasured moments are wonderful!!!
    Happy sewing.. Look forward to seeing your shirt dress, when you finish.

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  9. Sarah BarryMarch 9, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    GREAT idea! We have trains. I'm doing this. I too get annoyed by pins.

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