Sewing Lessons: Simple and Easy Pattern Weights

Pattern weights are an essential tool when tracing a pattern, and if you’re on Team Rotary Cutter, to keep the paper and fabric from shifting as you trace or cut.

Pattern weights can be anything small and heavy; cans, wooden blocks, rocks, spare scissors or cutlery, and, you know, actual pattern weights.

Pattern weights don’t have to be expensive or difficult to make either. Here’s a super simple way to make custom pattern weights.

What you’ll need:

• Medium sized ceramic wall tiles like these:

• Peel and stick cork, available from hardware stores and craft stores, like Michael's.
• A rotary cutter or exacto knife. 

What to do: 

1. If the ceramic tiles are held together with plastic mesh on the back, peel it off each tile. 
2. Peel the backing off a peel and stick cork tile, or section of a peel and stick roll. 
3. Stick the tile to the sticky side of the cork and press it firmly. 
4. Flip the tile over and cut the cork off, close to the tile's edge with the rotary cutter or exacto knife. 

 And that's it!