Making attractive and properly fitted clothing involves several complex techniques. Pattern design is one of them.
When it comes to producing patterns for clothing, however, the tendency is to use duplicated and improvised pattern marks.
Tracing and pattern tools transfer replicated patterns from cloth with the intended design to the garment. During the tracing process, such patterns can also be changed.
Pattern papers, which contain carbon paper, are the tools utilized. For transferring and tracing designs on textiles and clothing, carbon paper has traditionally been the go-to tool.
However, because carbon paper was designed for a different use, you might not be able to locate it when you need it.
So, shouldn’t there be alternatives? Yes, there are other carbon paper alternatives for stitching, which will be discussed in this tutorial.
Table of Contents
What Is Carbon Paper?
The definition of carbon paper can be deduced from “a carbon copy,” which indicates an identical copy.
Carbon paper is a thin piece of paper with a one-sided pigmented coating sandwiched between two sheets and used to transfer what is typed or written on the top sheet to the bottom sheet.
It is sewed between two textiles to transfer design patterns from the top fabric to the bottom fabric.
When the top cloth is traced, the pressure causes the pigmented coating to emerge with the traced-out pattern on the bottom fabric.
What Is Carbon Paper Used For?
Dressmaker’s carbon paper is a type of carbon paper used in the sewing industry for duplicating design patterns.
It’s utilized to transfer and save original design patterns from one piece of cloth to another. By altering the original design while tracing, it may also be utilized to generate pattern changes.
The paper’s pigmented side is applied to the cloth to be created.
The non-pigmented portion, on the other hand, is hidden behind the top cloth.
Instead of repeating a pattern, a dressmaker’s carbon paper can be used to obtain the design.
Carbon paper for dressmakers duplicates design patterns in the same way as writing carbon paper replicates what is typed or written.
4 Alternatives to Carbon Paper
Some of the carbon paper options for sketching patterns on cloth are listed below.
1. Manila Pattern Paper
Manila pattern paper is the recognized finest paper for creating patterns on textiles in the professional sewing field. In the design business, it is also utilized in the commercial creation of patterns.
With a 2X (0.010′′) thickness, this pattern paper is sturdy but flexible, comparable to office folders. When applied correctly, it is long-lasting and provides precise pattern marks.
It is thicker than standard tracing paper and may construct your desired design with regular, repetitive use.
Heavy vinyl, nylon, and leather may all be used with Manila pattern paper.
It’s smooth, with crisp edges and neat cuts. It’s substantial enough to be used as a design template.
Cut the amount of fabric you’ll need and sandwich it between the pattern paper or patterned fabric and the new fabric.
Then, using a tracing pen, wheel, or stylus, carefully outline. The new cloth has a nice design and no sloppiness about it.
2. All-Purpose White Paper Roll
The All-purpose White paper roll is a suitable carbon paper option for heavy-weight textiles. Photo backdrops and lightweight banners are common uses for this paper roll.
Patterns drawn on it will fit better on thicker fabrics since it is hefty and thick. It will work on lighter materials as well, but it will need more effort.
It’s a fantastic option for transferring and tracing pattern markings because it’s slightly translucent. It’s long-lasting and versatile, as it may be folded or rolled.
It’s simple to pin down an all-purpose white paper roll. As a result, pattern paper is sturdy and simple to deal with.
It is widely available since it can be found in any art or craft store.
Because this roll of carbon paper wrinkles more than ordinary carbon paper, it’s preferable to keep it coiled rather than folded.
3. Tissue Paper
Tissue paper is an excellent substitute for carbon paper, especially when working with tough materials like oilcloth and vinyl.
It acts as a slick barrier to keep materials from becoming stuck on the presser foot and throat plate when sewing.
It also gives thinner materials like silk, which tend to slip, more solidity. Knits are protected against running, plucking, and other damage while sewing with tissue paper.
Tissue paper is thin enough to be used as a duplicating paper for designs on textiles, and when properly positioned, the marks come out nicely.
It acts as a seam stabilizer and maybe torn out when no longer required.
Place a folded tissue paper of the same length as the new fabric or design space in between the two fabrics. It is unlike a pen to trace the design with a tracing wheel, which glides over it without puncturing it.
4. Dotted Paper
The dotted paper is sometimes known as alphabet paper, alphanumeric paper, or marking paper. It’s ideal for tracing, retracing, modifying, and marking patterns that require extensive changes.
It’s a brighter white paper with one-inch intervals of little blue letters, numerals, or other dot markers. This document establishes a grid for precise pattern creation using these markers and intervals.
It’s thin enough to trace lines but thicker than tissue paper and tracing paper. It’s simple to cut, and pencil traces are readily erased. It might not be thick enough to make designs, though.
It’s sandwiched between the patterned fabric and the one that hasn’t been patterned yet, just like any other carbon paper substitute.
