Cutting patterns or not cutting patterns!

I just wanted to share how I am keeping my patterns intact. Not cutting them has a lot of advantages:

• if the first size you chose isn't right, you can still trace it again
• or maybe your size changes and you need it again
• if you want to make it for somebody else, you can use it again. 
• you can give away or sell the pattern if you don't want it anymore

 I am using plastic foil (the one you use if you want to repaint your room, to cover floor and furniture, the strong quality) and am tracing with a black waterproof pen. make sure it doesn't come off otherwise you damage you fabric...

If you've copied your size on a plastic sheet, it has a lot of advantages, too:

• if you've found your "perfect size" you can use that foil again and again and again.
• changes can be made easily and permanently to the foil (e.g. shortening)
• you can make changes to the design  by putting your "basic pattern" underneath the foil and tracing it with the desired changes. (I did that with my "1790s maja jacket" and the "American neckline disaster") 

It took me rather long to get to this stage, so I thought I'd share it. :) Also: basting and ironing is really helpful.