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I have been subscribed to Knipmode for several years now. My KnipMode sewing magazine collection is of modest size – the second largest next my Burda collection. There’s just one problem – I have only sewn one garment from Knipmode.

And now you’re thinking why I keep my subscription going? I am an eternal optimist I guess. I keep thinking that tracing the patterns will get easier.

You see, though Burda and Knipmode are both European sewing magazines – their pattern sheets are completely different. At least to me.

Knipmode Sewing Magazines
Knipmode January 2020 & February 2020

The Knipmode tracing problem

Burda patterns sheets are made up of 4 different colours. Knipmode, on the other hand, are only 2 colours – black and red. Then it finally dawned on me – I dont have the eye stamina for tracing Knipmode before I get a headache. My eyes can’t handle the monotony and I mess up lines and miss notches.

Knipmode Sewing Magazine - Pattern sheets
Knipmode’s black and red pattern lines.

So what’s the solution? I knew that some people highlight the pattern lines before tracing but that is something I couldn’t stomach doing.

Knipmode Sewing magazines

I don’t like the idea of ruining my sewing pattern sheets!

But then during vlogmas I was chatting about how I love Knipmode but tracing is a real struggle for me. Then someone mentioned erasable highlighters.

I was like what now? Bought them and am in awe. These highlighters are amazing! I have also been using them to mark darts on sewing projects too.

Heres how it works – you use them to mark and then apply a heat source. The heat source can be by friction or by using a heat source such as a hairdryer or an iron. And just like magic – the highlighting disappears!

Which means my pattern sheets can stay pristine. So far its already been a gamechanger for my sewing life.

Have you tried erasable highlighters too?

Burda 2019 – All the styles at a glance