What Do You Use For A Pattern?

[digdug18]

I'm guessing most people don't go straight to leather, as it is somewhat expensive.

What material do you prefer to use to make a pattern with before transferring it to leather? I know that metal fabricators prefer thick stock cardboard and sewers use either plastic or paper. I've tried using thick brown paper, about double the thickness of traditional wrapping paper.

What have you found that works best for you. If you could explain your reasoning behind it, I would appreciate it as well.

Andrew

[Jax]

Hi Andrew, I use lining paper (wall paper) for making my patterns, its quite thick but still flexible, when Im happy with it or have tried it & it works I glue it to some card so its more rigid & harder wearing.

[David8386]

I use the cardboard from cases of coke or Manila folders. For a more durable pattern use something a little thicker like a plastic folder. This last week I bought a package of plastic template stock at Joann's it is designed for quilters and sewing patterns. For a permanent pattern get one made out of plastic by somebody like black river laser. I have a couple of their guitar strap patterns and they are pretty nice. They also do custom work.

David

[Cyberthrasher]

I make a lot of templates for guitar straps that are "cut to size" out of simple poster board. I like to make up a template of the guitar strap and make sure everything is laid out perfectly before I start making my stencils.

[whiteeugene]

Hi Andrew I use file folders for most things it holds up well if it's something I like I use spray contact cement and glue it on to a piece of Plexiglas cut it out on the band saw and sand the edges smooth. I then write any information pertaining to the design. For some items I don't have to trace the pattern I just use the pattern and cut along the edge.

If it's a tooling pattern I make a copy first then use the copy to trace with. I use a red pen to do the tracing so that I can see where I have been, when I'm dun I just toss the copy.

Doug

[olds cool]

I use manila file folders to make test pieces during design. It's easy to cut & fold yet sturdy enough to not tear easily.

[Dwight]

The three things I find the best are:

1) For first patterns, . . . new patterns, . . . patterns that may not be used very many times, . . . good old manila folders. Manila folders, a pencil, masking tape, and a razor knife simply ARE my pattern making kit.

2) For a pattern that I anticipate using many times, . . . OR, . . . I am thoroughly pleased and happy with THIS pattern, . . . I'll transfer it from manila folder to the bag stiffener material sold by Tandy's. It surpasses cardboard like a Lamborghini passing a VW bug, . . . yet is not adversely expensive, . . . and is as easily worked as cardboard, . . . but will hold up many times the life of the cardboard I have gotten in the past.

3) For a pattern that has to have the "feel" so to speak of leather, . . . or the "body", . . . I keep cloth backed vinyl on hand. For instance, my chaps pattern is made of this material, . . . so I can "see" how they will hang, what needs to be adjusted, which way, etc. That doesn't work as well for me with paper or cardboard. I get the vinyl at JoAnns by watching the paper and using their 40 or 50% off cupon. For $8 I get a piece that is 36 by 45, . . . and you can cut several patterns usually out of a piece that big.

May God bless,

Dwight

[billymac814]

I too use the file folders for my new patterns and ones that don't get used as often.

If its something ill be using I found these very thin flexible plastic cutting boards that work really good. The last batch I bought had a slight rubber grid on the back to prevent slipping which helps on the patterns too.

And like Dwight I keep some vinyl for certain things and have even made things from it first to see how it comes out. I too either wait for it to be on sale or I have the Jo Ann's ap on my phone which almost always has a 40-50% off coupon. Joanne's is in the same shipping center as I am so its pretty convenient.

[Sylvia]

I guess it would depend on if I'm going to be cutting the shape of the item I'm making or if I am preparing a pattern for the design on the piece. If I am making a cutting pattern, I would use something sturdy that lasts. I've used aluminum flashing shaped with tin snips, and I've used Cereal box cardboard.

If I am preparing a design, I like SEE Through material. The reason is it makes it easier to place and trace the design correctly. For this I use transparencies like Teachers used to use, as well as sheet protectors that can be opened out to make a bigger piece. I just print the design, lay my clear over the top and trace with a permanent marker. Then I lay that over the leather and trace again with a stylus or with a dulled pencil or empty ball point pen. I can tape it down and not tear the paper when it's removed. I can pin through it, if placement is critical.

I also have some vinyl, but my vinyl is clear and a few mils thick. I get mine from my local True Value, for about $5-$6 a linear yard. (it's 48" wide I think)

[lightingale]

I use plain old printer paper. The reason being; I draw my designs by hand, and then scan them into the computer for further processing in Photoshop. With Photoshop, I can duplicate and flip the design as I need for perfect symmetry. I then print it on normal paper and use that to trace on to the leather.

If I need to scale the design up or down, I can do that in Photoshop and print a new template. If my old template wears out, I'll print a new one.

If I want a thick material to use for tracingsomething like an outside curve on a sighthound collar, I'll cut it out of scrap cardboard that would otherwise go in the recycling or the fireplace (cereal boxes, dog treat boxes, etc.). I only need to draw one curve as I can flip it horizontally and vertically to get perfectly symmetrical dimensions :-)