Keep your paper patterns flat, labelled and ready for the next order: simple ways to store and reuse a cutting farma.
A paper farma is worth keeping. A pattern that fits one customer can be reused every time she orders, and a good set of patterns saves hours across a year. These are the simple habits that keep them in good condition.
Keep it flat, or roll it loosely
Folding a pattern on the same lines every time wears the paper at the creases and slightly changes the shape. Store patterns flat in a large envelope or a drawer, or roll them loosely and keep the roll away from heavy things.
Label every piece
Write the customer's name, the model and the size on each piece, in the same corner every time. Pieces from different patterns look alike once they are loose on a table.
Record alterations on the paper
If you let out a seam or lengthen a sleeve for a customer, mark it on the pattern and write the date. Next time you start from a pattern that already fits her.
Keep it dry and away from heat
Our standard sheet is 200 GSM, waterproof and non-tearable, so it takes pinning, folding and the occasional splash better than printer paper. Even so, keep it away from direct heat and sunlight, which can make any paper brittle over time.
Trace, do not cut into, a pattern you want to keep
If you want to try a different length or neckline, trace the piece onto tracing paper and alter the copy. The original stays as it was drafted.
Check the grain marks before you reuse it
Make sure the printed grain line and notches are still clear. Re-draw any that have faded before the next cut. See how to use a blouse cutting farma for the cutting steps.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I reuse a farma?
As many as the paper allows. Because the sheet does not tear easily, it holds up to repeated pinning and tracing.
Where can I get a new pattern for the same customer?
Browse the full pattern range and order again with her measurements.