Tutorials

How to Make Pattern Weights

Name: Patterntrace – Swedish Tracing Paper
Brand: Patterntrace
SKU: PT001
Price: 17.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

Looking for a fun, functional sewing project that adds flair to your sewing room? Say goodbye to pinholes and shifting paper! In this simple tutorial, I’ll show you how to make your own pattern weights – perfect for use with Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper and ideal for cutting fabric with sewing patterns if you are a fan of a rotary cutter and mat. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned sewist, these DIY weights are quick to make, eco-friendly, and totally customisable.

Read on for step-by-step instructions, measurements in both inches and centimetres, and handy tips for alternative fillings. Let’s get making!

Why Use Pattern Weights?

Pattern weights are an essential tool for modern sewing. Instead of pinning your paper pattern pieces to fabric—which can leave holes or cause shifting—pattern weights hold everything firmly in place. They are also particularly helpful when working with our Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper when tracing your sewing patterns or making adjustments to your sewing patterns.

Benefits of pattern weights:

Prevent damage to delicate tracing paper and fabrics

Speed up the cutting process – no fiddling with pins when using a rotary cutter and mat!

Reusable and long-lasting

Customisable to your style or sewing room décor

A great scrap-busting project

What You’ll Need

Fabric scraps (cotton or quilting cotton works best) a single fat quarter will make around 8 weights
I used the Mini Grid Cotton Fabric from guthrie & ghani - linked here in Ecru and Mint
Rice (or alternative fillings listed below) - I used 100g per pattern weight
Regular Paper (to make a funnel for pouring in the filling)
Matching thread
Scissors or rotary cutter
Ruler or measuring tape
Sewing machine (or hand needle if sewing by hand)
Pins or fabric clips
Iron

Cut out your fabric

Main Body

Cut two rectangles measuring 8 inches x 4 inches (20.3 cm x 10.2 cm).

Tab (optional for easy handling or hanging)

Cut one piece 4 inches x 1.5 inches (10.2 cm x 3.8 cm).

Prepare the tab

Fold and press the long edges of the tab by ¼ inch (0.6cm) and then press in half, wrong sides facing
Top stitch the folded edge to hold in place.

Assemble the Pattern weight

Along one of the long edges, fold and press 1.4 inch (0.6cm) to the wrong side. This will make closing up the gap easier at the end.
Mark the centre point of each long edge either with chalk or by making a crease with your fingers/nail.

3. Fold the tab in half and position to the side of this crease on the unpressed edge. Hold it in place with a clip or pin.

4. Fold the rectangle in half, matching up the short ends and opening out the crease you pressed initially.

5. Sew along two of the edges with a 1.4 inch (0.6cm) seam allowance.

6. To create the 3D shape of the pattern weight, match the seam line up with the mid point of the open section and pin or clip raw edges together.

7. Sew with a ¼ inch (0.6cm) seam allowance leaving approx 4.5/5cm gap so you can insert the filling later. The crease line you pressed in the beginning will act like a stitch guide here. Make sure to back stitch either side of the opening.

8. Turn the pattern weight the right way out and use a point turner or similar tool to push the corners out. You can also carefully press the edges as well. The raw edges as the gap should already be neatly sitting to the inside from where you pressed it initially.

Fill the Pattern weight and Close it up

Roll a piece of paper into a funnel shape and tape it together. Insert it into the opening.
Fill your pattern weight with uncooked rice. Try to fit in as much as you can, at least ¾ full if not more. I managed to fit in around 100 g of rice.

Alternative fillings

Lentils or dried beans
Steel or lead pellets (for extra weight – use with caution)
Aquarium gravel
Crushed walnut shells
Sand (double bagged to prevent leaks)

The raw edges of the opening should already be sitting nicely to the inside where you pressed them at the start.
Stitch the gap closed using a ladder stitch by hand. You could sew it on the machine but you’ll likely find that you won’t be able to fit as much filling in that way.

And you're done!

How Many Pattern Weights Do I Need?

We recommend making 6–8 weights to comfortably anchor your pattern pieces. They work brilliantly when tracing with Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper, and you’ll love how they speed up your fabric cutting too.

Final Tips

Match your pattern weights to your sewing room theme or colour code them for size/weight.
Use scraps from other projects to reduce waste.
Add a few drops of essential oil to the rice for a lightly scented, relaxing sewing experience.

Start Tracing Like a Pro

Pattern weights are the perfect companion for Patterntrace Swedish Tracing Paper, making your sewing prep faster, easier, and more enjoyable. They also help keep everything in place when working with delicate or slippery fabrics.