1. When I buy a pattern, I make sure it’s still available in the pattern book. When the pattern books become available, I get one for each brand of patterns I’ve purchased (McCall’s, Simplicity, etc.).
2. Then I look through the book for the patterns I have. When I find them, I carefully tear the page out and trim it down so it fits in an 8 x 11 clear page protector.
3. Place the page into the page protector. Taking a black Sharpie marker, outline the outfit you like. Don’t forget to put in any folds shown as draping, any details, etc.
4. Now, take the page out of the plastic sleeve and cut out the outfit worn by the model. Be careful to leave any skin shown (head, arms, legs, etc.). Some pages show different styles for the same pattern. You can cut out those, too, if you find a style you like. Do as much as you like, but remember to just cut out the outfit, leaving the head, arms, and other exposed skin. It should look like this: http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x172/mkersen/aftercut1.jpg

5. Place the cut page back into the page protector, and when it’s in all the way, the outline of the outfit should match up with the area you cut away. Here are a couple of examples of how it should look:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x172/mkersen/marker2.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x172/mkersen/marker1.jpg

6. Now, if you hold the page up, you should be able to see through the area that’s been cut away. I place the pages in a 3 ring binder, with a white page behind each one. This just makes it easier to keep them separated.
7. I also copy the back of the pattern that shows suggested fabrics and amounts needed. Then I glue these onto the page I’ve made. That way, I don’t have to take the original pattern with me to the store, and possibly lose it. Everything needed to make the outfit , is conveniently listed on the page.
8. Anytime I’m planning on making an outfit, I take this book with me to the fabric store. Just slide a portion of the fabric behind the cut page, and it’ll give you an idea of how it will look. Here’s some examples:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x172/mkersen/fabric1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x172/mkersen/fabric2.jpg

9. Once I make my fabric selection, I place the fabric, along with the original pattern in a large ziploc bag until I have the time to make it. That way, if it’s a while before I can make it, at least I know which pattern I’ll be using!
10. You can divide you book into different sections (pants, dresses, etc.). This makes it easier to find.

Hope this helps! I know it’s made it easier for me!

I have a hard time visualizing how an outfit will look made from certain fabrics. Too many times, I’ve fallen in love with a fabric, but it looks horrible made into a certain pattern. Or, I can’t find anything to make out of the fabric. Either way, it gets to be expensive. So, I came up with this great idea, and it’s a lifesaver! Thought some of you might enjoy this. Hope the pictures come out. This is the first time I've done pictures!

1. When I buy a pattern, I make sure it’s still available in the pattern book. When the pattern books become available, I get one for each brand of patterns I’ve purchased (McCall’s, Simplicity, etc.).
2. Then I look through the book for the patterns I have. When I find them, I carefully tear the page out and trim it down so it fits in an 8 x 11 clear page protector.
3. Place the page into the page protector. Taking a black Sharpie marker, outline the outfit you like. Don’t forget to put in any folds shown as draping, any details, etc.
4. Now, take the page out of the plastic sleeve and cut out the outfit worn by the model. Be careful to leave any skin shown (head, arms, legs, etc.). Some pages show different styles for the same pattern. You can cut out those, too, if you find a style you like. Do as much as you like, but remember to just cut out the outfit, leaving the head, arms, and other exposed skin.
5. Place the cut page back into the page protector, and when it’s in all the way, the outline of the outfit should match up with the area you cut away. Here are a couple of examples of how it should look:

6. Now, if you hold the page up, you should be able to see through the area that’s been cut away. I place the pages in a 3 ring binder, with a white page behind each one. This just makes it easier to keep them separated.
7. I also copy the back of the pattern that shows suggested fabrics and amounts needed. Then I glue these onto the page I’ve made. That way, I don’t have to take the original pattern with me to the store and possibly lose it. Everything needed to make the outfit is conveniently listed on the page.
8. Anytime I’m planning on making an outfit, I take this book with me to the fabric store. Just slide a portion of the fabric behind the cut page, and it’ll give you an idea of how it will look. Here’s some examples:

9. Once I make my fabric selection, I place the fabric, along with the original pattern in a large ziploc bag until I have the time to make it. That way, if it’s a while before I can make it, at least I know which pattern I’ll be using!
10. You can divide your book into different sections (pants, dresses, etc.). This makes it easier to find.

Hope this helps! I know it’s made it easier for me!