How to… Use PDF patterns
PDF sewing patterns are cheap, convenient, and easy to use. But if you’ve never used one before, they can be a bit daunting. In this post we look at how PDF patterns work, step by step instructions for printing your pattern, and how to use them.
The most fantastic thing about PDF patterns is that you can buy them, print them, and start sewing right away! All you need is any standard printer and some plain white paper.
What do you get in a PDF sewing pattern?
At My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns, we provide all our patterns as downloadable PDFs.
When you purchase a PDF pattern you usually get 2 pattern files
1. an A0 pattern sheet which you can send to a copy shop printer to print off (<link to relevant section on page>see below for some top tips<close link>) and
2. a print-at-home version which you can print onto A4 paper and assemble.
There are no file print limits on our downloadable patterns. You can print the patterns off as many times as you like.
All we ask is that you don’t share your patterns. We work hard to create awesome patterns for you, and we want to continue. So, by encouraging your friends to buy their own copy of the pattern, you will help support us to create more in the future.
How to print and use PDF dressmaking patterns video tutorial
If this all sounds a bit technical, check out this video tutorial. Kim shares why she is now a PDF convert and how easy it is to purchase, download and use PDF patterns.
Our PDF print-at-home patterns can be printed onto standard A4 or US letter paper. All our downloads include a PDF sticking guide so you can easily see which bits join to which.
How do I print a PDF pattern at home?
1. Get ready to construct your pattern
Before you start you will need:
· A glue stick or some sticky tape, preferably in a tape dispenser. This will save you a lot of awkwardness and can double up as a pattern weight.
· Paper scissors or a guillotine.
· Pattern weights or a couple of tins of beans can be useful to hold everything down while you tape.
2. Download and extract your files
Download your zip file and save it somewhere safe on your computer. Printing PDFs usually works best from a computer rather than a phone or tablet.
Most computers come with built-in software to extract your PDF files from a zip folder. Generally, you can simply double click on the folder to open it. If yours doesn’t do this, you can download unzipping software online.
3. Print the PDF sticking guide
It’s a good idea to print this off to reference so you have it handy when you’re surrounded by pieces of pattern. In our newest patterns we have included this on page 1 of the pattern sheets.
4. Print a test page of the tiled PDF pattern
This is possibly the most important step. If you don’t check your pattern printout is the correct size, this will throw out all the measurements.
Print onto A4 paper making sure the “fit to page” option is NOT selected.
Print page 1 only first. Use a ruler or tape measure to check the sizing box to ensure the pattern is printed to scale.
If it is correct, then go ahead and print the rest of the pattern.At My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns, we provide all our patterns as downloadable PDFs.
5. Print all your pattern pages
Once you’ve checked your printer settings are correct, then you can print out all your pattern pages and get ready to stick them together using the sticking guide reference.
6. Layout the pattern pieces in the right order
First make some (a lot!) of space and layout your pattern pages according to the sticking guide.
You can either fold in or cut off the right-hand edge of all the pages which join to another page. You can tell which ones these are by looking for this symbol:
7. Stick the left and right pattern pieces together
Place the folded edge of one page over the following page. Make sure to match the page outlines.
Using small pieces of tape or glue, stick the pattern pieces together, overlapping each other and lining up the page border lines and symbols.
You should now have rows of pages stuck together.
8. Connect the top and bottom of the pages
Next, connect the top and bottom of the rows.
Starting at the joins, cut off the lower edge of these rows of joined pages (except for the bottom row).
Then place the cut edge over the following row. Remember to match the page border lines and symbols.
Hot tip: start at the centre and work out to avoid too much slippage.
Once you’re happy that everything is lined up, get sticking!
All this piecing together can leave some messy bits of paper flapping about. If you want a nice tidy printed sewing pattern, you may want to add a bit of extra tape here and there to hold any loose bits in place.
9. Cut out or trace your size and get sewing
Congratulations! You have constructed your PDF pattern!
Now you have the complete pattern, it’s up to you if you want to cut them out and use them as they are or trace off your size.
Hot tip: if you are using a thin or stretchy material, it may be a good idea to trace off your size onto thinner paper which can be easier to pin to wriggly fabrics.
No time for sticking and gluing?
If that’s all a bit too fiddly and time consuming for you there is a simple solution: you can download and send files to print at a copy shop!
You can send your A0 files to be printed in large format. We recommend Netprinter who provide speedy service and good quality printing paper at a very reasonable price.
More sewing advice, tips, and tutorials
This article is part of the Sewing Patterns 101 section of our resources for sewists. Explore this part of the My Handmade Wardrobe site for more essential advice, tips, and tutorials on using dressmaking patterns.
Cosy Jersey add on pack
Using PDFs, we can share updates and add-on packs to help you get even more use out of your My Handmade Wardrobe patterns! Like this Shawl collar and internal pocket pack for the Cosy Jersey pattern.
