The Basics: Marking
tracing wheel & paper
Tracing paper has a colored surface that transfers to fabric when you roll over it with a tracing wheel. It comes in a variety of colors and is either water-soluble or waxed. Water-soluble marks are easily removed with a damp cloth.
Avoid waxed tracing paper as the marks can be difficult to remove. If you must use them, mark only on the fabric wrong side. Choose the lightest color paper possible that's visible on the fabric in case the markings don't come out. The serrated or sawtooth wheel is most commonly used, but a smooth wheel is preferable on delicate fabrics.
Work on a self-healing cutting mat or a piece of cardboard to avoid damaging the table.
Practice before using a tracing wheel for the first time; learn how much pressure to apply by tracing lines on fabric scraps. Mark both fabric pieces at the same time whenever possible by placing folded tracing paper between the layers. Mark heavyweight fabrics individually.
Place the tracing paper colored side against the fabric wrong side, underneath the pattern tissue. Applying slight pressure, roll the tracing wheel along the lines using a ruler as a guide (2). Move the tracing paper after each mark to ensure coverage, and trace all of the necessary lines.
If you want to trace stitching lines for a multisize pattern (cutting lines, not stitching lines, are marked on multisize patterns), first mark the stitching lines on the tissue, then use that as your guide.
Tracing paper is not the best solution for marking on the fabric right side. However, if that is the only tool available for buttonhole and pocket placements, transfer the markings to the fabric wrong side, then baste through the markings with silk thread to show through on the right side.
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