# I need sewing help/tips **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237 "2005-02-21T21:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237/1 "2005-02-21T21:46:17Z")
First off, I want to preface that I have a nightgown that I absolutely love, but it has definitly seen better days. Replacing it has been a challenge since no one seems to make a cotton, ankle length, spaghetti strap nighty. (It is Nautica brand that I got 4 years ago) I thought maybe I could make a new one by creating a pattern from the old one and voila! New nighty. I can handle a sewing machine fairly well, but how would I make a pattern? Can I buy pattern paper. Has anybody here ever done this? Or should I find a tailor and see if they can do it. Any tips would be appreciated greatly. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237/2 "2005-02-21T22:18:02Z")
> [@LVgeogeek](#): > > I can handle a sewing machine fairly well, but how would I make a pattern? Can I buy pattern paper. Has anybody here ever done this? Or should I find a tailor and see if they can do it. Any tips would be appreciated greatly. In the past when I have made patterns from existing clothes, it’s been like this: Rip seams of existing garment, _carefully_ Iron out pieces Pin each unique piece to newspaper (there will often be two or more of certain pieces) Trace or cut around edges Mark where each piece belongs Voila! You have a pattern. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237/3 "2005-02-22T00:58:04Z")
They do sell pattern paper in case you think you may be wanting to make a few or use the pattern again later- you would just do it the same method as Gingy stated and you should be all set! ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237/4 "2005-02-22T01:04:00Z")
For the tracing of patterns, I love [Swedish Tracing Paper](http://www.birchstreetclothing.com/notions2.html). It’s very durable and doesn’t warp or tear. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237/5 "2005-02-22T01:43:52Z")
I get pattern paper from clotilde.com–it’s about $7 for a roll. If you think you’ll use the pattern again, real pattern paper is better than newspaper. You can make a pattern without cutting up your old nightie–just lay it out flat over a piece of cardboard, put your pattern paper on top, hold it down with some weights, and use a pin to poke little holes all the way around it. When you take off the paper, just connect the dots with a pen, and there’s your pattern! ME ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-sewing-help-tips/291237/6 "2005-02-27T05:59:36Z")
Thanks for the information. I will look into getting some of that swedish paper, maybe they will have it at the local sewing shops. Sorry it took me so long to reply. I have had people in town for the last 4 days. 😃