Tracing Paper “Clover Chacopy”
with Instructor Steve Butler
Class 160
What is it?
When it comes to sewing, and that’s what we do, tracing our pattern designs onto fabric is one of our least favorite activities. We find that perfect pattern, amazing fabric and complimenting thread and we just want to jump right into the sewing process so we can experience that highly anticipated creative fervor. But hold on, there is still the drudgery of the not so exciting prep work. Bummer. Probably the least favorite is tracing the pattern onto that amazing fabric. It takes forever and, more often than not, we have to go over it more than once to replace missing marks. Seems to take forever. So why do we do it? Because having a perfect outline on the fabric sets us up for better creative success in the later stages of sewing. It also allows us to preserve the original pattern or gives us the option of tracing off additional sizes if we’re into garment construction. Tracing is important and has applications to fashion, fashion accessories, heirloom sewing, quilting, embroidery and home decor. So how do we do it, how do we accurately move our designs and marks from the paper source to our fabric destination? Online sources list numerous methods, most handicapped by inherent design flaws. So what’s to do? Simple, Clover has developed Chacopy Transfer Paper, a chalk-based tracing paper that allows us to transfer our sewing, quilting and embroidery patterns or fashion construction markings to our fabric with ease and precision. Just trace over the marks. It truly takes the tedium out of transfer.
What does it do?
Clover Chacopy Tracing Paper is a single sided, chalk based tracing paper that enables us to easily and accurately transfer any paper based design or mark to our fabric.
Colors – Chacopy Tracing Paper is available as a set of five colors on individual 10″ x 12″ sheets. All we have to do is just select the color that contrasts enough to show prominently on our fabric. Colors included are: blue, green, red, white and yellow. One of those should meet any requirements we might come across. For complex patterns we can even use two or more colors. Application – Chacopy Tracing Paper is easy to use. If we are transferring a design to our fabric we just need to lay the tracing paper face down on the right side of our fabric and place the design we’ve selected on the back of that. Using a stylus or a tracing wheel, simply trace over the design, transferring the chalk to our fabric. You may want to tape the design to the Chacopy Paper to keep it from moving while tracing. Keep in mind that if you’re going to hoop the fabric you’ll need to leave enough space around your design to accommodate that hoop. If we’re transferring the marks of a pattern to a cut pattern piece we simply lay the Chacopy Paper face up on a smooth surface. Then lay the cut pattern piece on top of it. Now the chalk surface of the paper is next to the wrong side of the fabric. Again, using a stylus or tracing wheel, simply trace over the pattern marks. They will be transferred to the wrong side of the fabric where you want them. When we are done, when our designs or marks are no longer needed we can simply wash them away. They don’t smear and they always wash out. One caution though. As with any chalk based marker, ironing may make the marks difficult to remove. It’s always a good idea to test any marker on a scrap of your fabric before using.
How do I share it?
If you’re looking for the easiest, more error free method to transfer designs from your paper source to your fabric destination, Clover Chacopy Tracing Paper is the ultimate tool. Clear, precise lines and marks that enable error free cutting and sewing. The best way to share it is to show it. Place some sheets of Chacopy Paper, a simple pattern and some fabric out for your friends to test. And, of course, feature it in your classes. Once people see how easy and fast it transfers their designs, they’ll be looking at ways to use it. Pattern and design transfer, no muss, no fuss, the Chacopy way.