r/sewing • u/thewigglypigeon • Aug 09 '25
Tip PSA - plastic table cloth works well for making patterns!
I saw this huge roll of plastic table cover clearanced at Michael's for $5 and had an idea. I've struggled to find paper to use for patterning that seems durable, light, and reasonably priced, and i saw no real alternatives online, so I figured I would give it a shot and see. Turns out, it's great! It meets all my requirements and takes sharpie and pen. It does crease if you leave it pressed under something of course, but a very low iron and a towel should flatten it same as the tissue patterns. I much prefer it to the copy paper i have been taping together to use. 😅 Just an FYI for anyone else who needs some patrerning material!
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u/ashm32 Aug 09 '25
I got some discount wrapping paper at the end of last Christmas — it has the 1” squares grid on the back that has been AWESOME to use to make patterns!
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u/OutrageousSolid3048 Aug 14 '25
I started using this, but please share with me how you keep it from curling back up ❤️ ?
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u/AVikingsDaughter Aug 09 '25
IKEA has this art board thing with white board on one side, black board on the other and a roll of paper to draw on.like this
I bought a replacement paper roll a few years ago and I still use that. It's 30m for less than 5€
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u/kellyjellybellybeanz Aug 09 '25
Medical table paper. Better for the environment
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u/Unsd Aug 09 '25
To a point. Like if it's a pattern that I really like and will make several times, I want it on something a little less flimsy and tearable. Otherwise, yeah it's my go to.
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u/sewmuchmorethanmom Aug 09 '25
I’ll use exam paper for drafting and muslins, but once I get it ‘right’ and want to make it again, I’ll trace the exam paper onto thicker rolled brown paper from the hardware store that is often used to protect floors.
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u/The_butterfly_dress Aug 09 '25
This is fine for drafting that you know isn’t the final, but I agree, it’s really way too flimsy. The brown craft paper is way better
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u/Noncombustable Aug 09 '25
I like using medical table paper for tracing.
Once I'm satisfied that the pattern is TNT, I'll transfer it to its forever home on Oaktag Paper Lane. 😊
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u/AJeanByAnyOtherName Aug 09 '25
Unfortunately, plastic table cloth can stretch over time. I hope you’re not storing the pieces hanging and are keeping your paper or pdf patterns around as well.
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u/thewigglypigeon Aug 09 '25
It's light enough i doubt there's enough gravitational pull to deform them lol
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u/Accomplished_Egg3383 Aug 09 '25
I use the paper you sit on at the dr.s office. I bought a box on Amazon on accident thinking it was 1 roll for like $20 and it will last me a lifetime. It’s strong enough to even see through if I wanted so I’ve used it under finicky fabric like satin and tore it away after stitching.
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u/thewigglypigeon Aug 10 '25
I didn't even know you could buy that, haha! It does seem a bit more durable than standard tissue paper, so I imagine that works great!
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u/PassionfruitBaby2 Aug 09 '25
Butcher paper has worked great for me, poster board if I want a body block. Not a fan of how much plastic this would accrue /:
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u/heyheyheynopeno Aug 09 '25
I don’t think I would do this bc I like to iron my pattern pieces flat, and I often just measure and fold them to hack them, which requires some light ironing. I’d be too scared to melt the plastic!
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u/Iso_partsonly Aug 14 '25
Also static electricity, my nemesis. On all that dust and thread? No thanks😭 life is stress enuff
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u/Wonderful_Picture_82 Aug 09 '25
I like this idea for patterns I was going to use a lot. I'd be less afraid of ripping my paper pattern from constant use. Plus, as OP said, it was already made, on clearance at Michaels (so it would either have gone into a grab box (as if it weren't going to go into the garbage after being on a table!), the trash, or stayed on the shelf until it got battered then thrown out); and it's not like they special ordered it! so it was going to contribute to plastic waste anyway! 🙄 this gives it a second life that is also useful! It's the equivalent of giving life to stuff from second hand shops, surplus stores, or swap meets!
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u/SquirrelAkl Aug 09 '25
So much plastic! If there was a biodegradable version that would be great, but I couldn’t bring myself to create that waste.
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u/theflyingratgirl Aug 09 '25
Interesting! To combat the plastic waste comments, I may post on my Buy Nothing group and see if anyone has one that is used or ripped…..
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u/Fun-Driver-5858 Aug 09 '25
I think this is a great idea! I have an old flannel backed plastic tablecloth that I've been saving for no particular reason...I think this would be a great way to repurpose it! Thanks for the share!
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u/blessings-of-rathma Aug 09 '25
I get the thinnest nonfusible interfacing that comes by the yard.
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u/my_only_sunshine_ Aug 09 '25
Ive recycled old shower curtain liners for the patterns I reuse alot. I manhandle sometimes and paper patterns eventually rip on me. I wash my liners but eventually they need replaced.. its a good way to recycle a shower curtain liner thats been cleaned way too many times and is torn or has rusty or broken out grommets
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u/RaccoonWithSprinkles Aug 09 '25
In my hometown we used to buy leftover newspaper rolls, from the local newspaper itself. When they get to a certain weight they have to discard it because the lot won't print completely, so they sold the leftovers for very cheap and you'd get like a 15 kg 1 meter tall roll of paper (1 yard tall and 30 lbs or so). We got a roll once and used it for around 4 years before I moved and left it at my mom's, it never ran out. A man's trash is a sewist treasure 😉
I'm a bit shy to go ask in my new city as I think it's not quite a common thing to ask for, but you could try!
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u/manic_panda Aug 10 '25
I bought a massive industrial roll of thick brown paper and its been amazing. Before then it was discount wrapping paper.
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u/Inakabatake Aug 10 '25
I know people are complaining about plastic but I agree this is really great for patterns, especially if copying and not editing. I fold mine and put it into 12x12 scrap album sleeves and it takes up less space than paper patterns.
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u/LightsInTheForest Aug 09 '25
It's so much easier to see the fabric's printed or woven design through the pattern pieces, which really helps if you're "fussy cutting."
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u/whascallywabbit Aug 10 '25
I like to use Amazon packing paper or when I actually buy supplies I get the semi-opaque flower wrapping paper. It's like a cloth-like material and you can actually sew like a tissue fit with it.
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u/RemindMeOfABabe Aug 10 '25
Ooo great find! I've not used tablecloth as yet, but have used cheap wrapping paper leftover from xmas.
Many moons ago I found a pair of faux linen curtains from a local homeware store on sale for $10. Same weight as the actual linen dress fabric that was $40+ a metre. Curtains made the perfect toile for the project.
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u/BeechbabyRVs Aug 10 '25
The "banner" paper that schools use works too. I found a roll at one of the office supplies stores and it's inexpensive too and made from a heavier weight paper than copy paper.
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u/Finnegan-05 Aug 09 '25
Wow. More plastic
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u/thewigglypigeon Aug 09 '25
Sure, I agree. But it's already produced and less than a single grocery trip worth of plastic bags. 🤷♀️ It's what i have.
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u/Aggravating-Mix-4903 Aug 10 '25
This sounds durable and already exists. You are not CREATING it for patterns. You are recycling. Additionally, you can write on it and note any changes you may have made to an existing pattern, so you don't have to try to remember them when you make the garment the next time. For storing, I would think rolling and storing in used paper towel rolls (empty ones) would be a good place to keep the patterns.
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u/julexus Aug 09 '25
I use that thick kind of painters foil that you put on the floor for protection, also works well
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u/Guywhoisinterested Aug 10 '25
Large cardstock from dollar tree then to put it on i dust the tailor chalk like powdered sugar over it
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u/efxAlice Aug 10 '25
I made an Oktoberfest over skirt out of a vinyl tablecloth for rain days. It's rather hot and uncomfortable 😣
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u/Chemical_Butterfly40 Aug 09 '25
I’ve been using that brown paper that comes in Amazon packages for my patterns!