Projecting patterns
I was fortunate enough to receive an ultra short throw projector, and this has revolutionized my sewing. I’m able to cut out so much faster – but the process is laden with pitfalls if you don’t prepare properly.
My top tips for successful pattern projection:
1) There are loads of really good, reconditioned projectors on eBay, most of which have had previous lives as classroom projectors.
2) Join the Facebook projector pattern page, which is packed to the gunnels with guides on setting up and calibration. Correct calibration is the key!
3) Lots of pattern suppliers now do a projector pattern format. If they don’t, an A0 print-shop format will work just as well.
4) Religiously check your 1” squares. Every. Single. Time. Make a note of the correct zoom required to hit the sizing perfectly.
5) Check the pattern orientation – make sure you’re projecting each pattern piece in the correct orientation, especially if you’re using an A0 pattern (decent projector patterns will have all the pieces oriented correctly). The last thing you need is upside-down penguins on your lovingly made pajamas.
6) Stabilise your fabric and your pattern with weights. Loads and loads of weights. Making your own pattern weights is incredibly satisfying and you can never have too many.
7) Tailor’s chalk is your friend – cutting out is so much easier if you trace out the projected image with tailor’s chalk, before cutting with a rotary cutter.
8) Cutting a pattern piece on the fold? Mark the fold line on your cutting mat, align the projected image so that the fold line is on your marked line, then place the fabric along your marked fold line. If you try to project so the fold line is along the edge of your fabric, it will distort.