does anyone have secrets to preserving original pattern for clothes?

I often just cut up the 99 cent pattern, but with a $16 pattern, I would trace the size I want. I like to use leftover aisle runners from weddings. They are similar to nonfusible interfacing in weight and texture, and they come on a nice sturdy tube, too!

Really, they aren't that expensive to buy new - about $25 for a runner 36" x 100 feet long.

I do just what ThirdMargaret does - PatternEase and ziplock bags, though I only ziplock the traced pattern.  The traces pieces are so much nicer to work with than the original tissue paper that I trace everything, even if I don't think I'll make a different size later. 

I almost always trace. I've been using Nancy's Notions pattern paper, although I'm sure the other options here are cheaper. I end up making alterations most of the time anyway, and I find that easier to do by tracing than cutting the original.

I picked up a clear plastic shower curtain and traced the patterns onto that, cut those out and preserved my complete pattern.  :-)  It's much more durable (that tissue-y paper tears on me all.the.time). 

Serena

I have been using iron on interdacing to preserve my patterns for years. Just iron it to the back side and it gives the tissue some stabilty.

I have growing kids, so I jsut take the paper for wrapping garments in gift boxes. . . the thin tissue.  I just lay it on top of the pattern and trace the size I need.  The patterns stay perfect and I get the size I need for the moment.  Just an easy, economical way to do it:)  Good luck.

I have several growing girls and found myself using the same pattern multiple times.  Growing up we always traced our patterns with the clear plastic my parents had to wrap meat in.  Then my hubby came up with a great replacement when I ran out of that.  I use the clear ground cover.  It is very durable and hard to tear.  It is very inexpensive and you can find it at wal-mart, lowes, home depot, or just about anywhere.  I really like the 4M weight plastic.  It is a bit sturdier than the other.  It comes in a nice roll and you just roll out the length you need.  Then I keep the traced patterns in a nice big manila envelope with the pattern number and size traced on the outside.  I hope this helps.

I don't like the time it takes to trace.  I do it a faster way that still preserves all the sizes. I cut out my pattern on the largest size and then fold it over to the size I need.  If their is a curve involved, I carefully snip the curve to the size and fold over.  It is easy to iron the pattern back out and use the bigger sizes.

Angela
www.groceryshrink.typepad.com

I never cut my original paper patterns directly
I buy light weight non adhesive interfacing and trace the pattern size I need onto it with all the info. I cut this out then place it ontop of my fabric pin and cut. I find the interfacing it easy to trace and sticks well to the fabric - not the much different in weight to the original pattern paper.
When finished i just fold it up and put in back into the pattern envelope -because it is light it still fits in without damaging anything.
This is also a very accessible and cheap option.

If they are small pieces I copy on my printer to card stock, especially for appliques. They are much more sturdy and easy to use a tracing wheel around.  For store bought patterns, I use light interfacing on the back of pattern piece to make them last.  Mine always seen to rip right where they shouldn't.  After that I trace the size I need onto to pattern tracing pattern.  I am not sure the brand, I have tons of it from over the years.  It looks like large graphing paper.  It is see through and very good for enlarging ebook download patterns.

I haven't tried the freezer paper, but I will plan to after reading all this good advice you have been given.