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I have never used pattern weights. (I don't count it when my cats sit on my pattern pieces, because they usually claw up the tissue paper and then attack my scissors if I try to do any cutting - I'm pretty sure that store bought pattern weights don't have these "features".)
So, how about you? Have you ever tired to use pattern weights? Do they really work? Do you need a lot of them? Any special requirements to use them?
Picture of "Wonder Weights" from The Sewing Place.
16 comments:
yup. me too. i never used the pattern weights too. Not on sale here. sumtimes, i just use anything like the ruler. hehe
nope, i don't use pattern weights. i've tried, and i don't like them. i don't use a rotary cutter to cut my patterns out either (tried that too). i'm a scissors and pins girl, through and through. i have a cardboard cutting mat, and i pin the patterns to the mat by just sticking the pin in (imagine it's like a bulletin board, all the pin heads are sticking up). so i have to remove all the pins once the pattern is cut out to take it off the mat (then i just fold it up).
I *love* my pattern weights! I was sold on the idea when we were making a bunch of Bible costumes for a church production and the lady I was working with used kitchen knives to hold the patterns down. We laid out a stack of about 3 fabrics, smoothed the pattern on (pinned grainlines where applicable) and she just threw the knives on the corners to hold it down. Whizz-whizz w/the rotaries and we were on to the next batch. My sewing buddy Miss A made a set of pattern weights for me...little squares and tubes filled w/BB's...for Christmas a few years ago and now they're indispensable.
Um, not sharp kitchen knives...actually table knives. With heavy handles.
I love love love my pattern weights. I have three different kinds. If you start using them you'll love them. I still use a few pins in areas where the cutting has to be exact. But couldn't live with out them.
Pattern weights—love them! Life is so much easier with pattern weights. I also use cans from the kitchen. My instructors at the ASG conference all said to give up pinning and use weights.
Yes! I love them. I have the small ones you show in your picture and I also have the large yellow weights that look like donuts. Can't live without them....that is when I actually sew. ;o)
I use both with about the same amount of time split between, but I use small decorative tiles that cost me $4 for the box. Sometimes it depends on what it is: I pin if I need markings, I weight if not. Sometimes.
If I need to be creative and use my fabric wisely, I lay it out then pin because I'm usually having to move, remove and replace. when I get it just so, I pin to make sure that I have them 100% right. If it's something easy/long/huge I weight it. All depends on my own ease.
No. I'm with MamaFitz, I like my pins and scissors for cutting out fabrics. Like her, I've tried them and rotary cutting and don't like it. I only use the rotary cutter for strips and geometric shapes that are given in dimensions rather than actual pattern pieces.
OK, this one brought me out of lurkdom.
Looooove my pattern weights. I have 2 sizes of flat washers that I bought at the hardware store. For years I used my rotary cutter and mat for home dec. About 2 years ago I started using them for clothing. I pin my grain line and weight the rest. The time I save is unbelievable. Pinning and cutting use to be the thing I hated the most, but not anymore.
I was slightly uncomfortable at first, but after a cutting out a few easy garments I got over it.
They'll have to rip my rotary cutter and weights out of my cold dead hands before I go back to pins and scissors. LOL
Debbie
I only use pattern weights when cutting fashion fabrics. Never pins anymore. I have four large plastic coated washers (approx. 3 inches in diameter) and then I bought 4 more huge washers and use only those. They're great.
I use pins. I tried using cans of cat food just to see if I might like pattern weights, and I just don't like them. Part of the problem is that my big hairy pattern weights (aka my cats) REALLY enjoy "helping" me with my pattern cutting. They drape themselves all over the cutting board, purr furiously while I fuss at them, bat at the rotary cutter or scissors (I use both), and generally make a great hairy mess. I shudder to think what would happen if I had pattern weights rather than pins holding the pieces to the fabric. I'm sure more "serious" sewers would look with abhorrence at the mess my cats make while I am cutting a pattern, but frankly it makes me laugh and gives us some fun "together time". My pattern pieces must be adhered to the fabric or they would never survive my feline sewing helpers.
I havn't used them but once... Since I pin, I really don't feel the need to. And I am not terribly comfortable with the rotary cutters unless on straight lines... Getting the mats out and set up just is a pain, but there are a few situations, like cutting bias and geometrics where I will go to the effort to do it.
I'm with the 'love them' group ! I came across a suggestion to use piping flanges from the hardware store - you can find great sewing notions at the hardware store LOL. I picked up 4 4" flanges and use them all the time now. For me anyway, it beats pinning hands-down :-)
And that reminds me, I have to go get some more - smaller ones this time.
Hmm... If you saw my table, you'd see every pair of scissors and all of my rulers being used as pattern weights. Though for sheer practicality, I liked Dawn's (at Two On Two Off) use of soup cans and for really cute, I'll have to make them some day, check out the owls on Peacock Chic. I think the post was back in November.
At this point, I only really use my pattern weights ((which are actually just 2 lb excersize weights that I got a the local sporting goods store - pattern weights are too expensize)) to hold my patters in place when I'm laying them out.
Like Mamafitz, I too, am a scissors and pins girl!
MsM.
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