This has been an area of difficult for me for some time now: finding actual pattern paper. Last roll I ordered, that I believed to be what I was looking for, turned out to be more of a lightweight cardboard. Though easy to use for transferring, it was painful in numerous ways. So any suggestions on where to get proper paper would be great.
Thanks!
I got a big roll from William Gee, they have a good selection of papers if you're based in the UK!
https://www.williamgee.co.uk/product-category/design-aids-and-equipment/pattern-paper-and-card/
I think mine is a form of tracing paper, we got advised to buy that one for my uni course but it doesn't matter too much :)
Are you in the United States?
Wawak, as recommended, is a good source. I usually buy it in person in the Manhattan Garment District, but I don't know what's open during these days of the pandemic. In NYC, I've bought paper from Sil Thread, Steinlauf & Stoller, and Panda International Trading, among others.
The pattern paper does not have to be marked. In fact, when I took pattern making courses at FIT, the paper provided in the Technical Pattern Making classes was always blank, white paper, and in the Fashion Design Department, students who brought in printed pattern paper were told to turn it over and use the blank side. One teacher said that the marked side was best for markers, which are layouts of pattern pieces that are tightly locked together in order to maximize the fabric. They're used in RTW. I think some teachers found the markings distracting.
Brown kraft paper also can be used. In RTW-style women's pattern making classes, I like to use pattern paper because a lot of time is spent manipulating darts and pattern paper is easy to fold, tape, and unfold. There aren't nearly as many darts in menswear, and with this bespoke method, while adjustments certainly are made, there's no sloper to which dramatic modifications are being made. I believe brown kraft paper is what is usually used in bespoke tailoring.
Oaktag, the material that resembles a manila folder, except it may be green on one side, is used for permanent patterns. Beaming paper is a heavy brown cardboard-like medium that can be used for patterns. Some RTW companies use it for lining patterns. In certain classes at FIT, we used it for slopers. It's my preferred material for permanent patterns because it's easier to cut than oaktag but it's very hard to find and usually extremely expensive.
I usually try to buy the same materials as the practitioners if I can afford them because who am to second-guess professionals with years of experience? Having said that, I think some home sewers use wrapping paper. If you could find it sold cheaply and at the right weight, that might be an option.
Well if you want dotted pattern paper in a very large roll you can go to this website https://www.wawak.com