Tips on using Patterntrace

How to Make a Toile with Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper

If you’ve ever spent hours cutting and sewing a new garment, only to find the fit isn’t quite right, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. That’s where making a toile (also called a muslin) comes in. A toile is a test version of your garment that lets you check the fit, make adjustments, and perfect the details before cutting into your precious fabric.

Our Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper is the ideal material for making toiles. It’s strong enough to sew, transparent enough to trace easily, and soft enough to wear and test. Using Patterntrace means you can preserve your original sewing patterns while creating a perfectly adjusted version of your garment.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

How to Make a Toile with Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper

Dressmaking tools such as scissors, washi tape, measuring trape and clover ruler with a hand holding a pencil tracing a sewing patter throught patterntrace swedish tracing paper

Step 1: Trace Your Pattern

Lay Patterntrace over your sewing pattern and trace each piece carefully. Be sure to include all the important markings: grainlines, notches, darts, fold lines, and pattern labels.

For pieces marked “cut 2”, trace both copies so your toile matches the final garment.
For pieces marked “cut on the fold”, trace the full shape by mirroring it — don’t just trace half, otherwise your toile won’t behave like fabric.

Step 2: Cut Out Your Toile

Cut out the traced pieces just as you would fabric. Patterntrace handles beautifully with regular scissors and holds its shape well, so you can cut and pin without tearing.

Patterntrace Swedish Tracing paper been sewn in a machine like fabric would. This is a toile to test the fitting

Step 3: Sew Your Toile Together

Pin and sew your toile using your normal machine settings. You don’t need to finish seams or hem — this is a test garment, so keep it simple. What matters is checking the overall shape and fit.

Straight stitch is usually enough.
You can unpick and resew seams if you need to tweak as you go.

Step 4: Try It On and Fit

Now the exciting part! Using your mannequin or by trying on your toile, see how it feels. Look out for:

Areas that feel tight or restrictive
Extra fullness or gaping
Length adjustments you’d like to make
Movement and comfort when you walk, sit, or stretch

You can pin or tape Patterntrace while it’s on the body, making it easy to experiment with small tweaks.

Step 5: Transfer Adjustments Back to Your Pattern

Once you’re happy with the changes, take your toile off and lay it flat. Use a pencil or marker to note down the adjustments, then:

Transfer the changes directly onto your traced pattern pieces, or
Retrace a fresh copy if you’ve made lots of slashes, folds, or taped sections.

The result is a customised pattern you can use again and again with confidence.

The Final Stitch

Making a toile with Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper is one of the most satisfying ways to sew. It saves your fabric, preserves your original patterns, and helps you create garments that fit beautifully from the very first cut.

Ready to try it for yourself? Shop Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper here.

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