How to Use PDF Sewing Patterns
- JoAnna Reeves
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Whether you are brand new to sewing or simply new to sewing with PDF Sewing Patterns, it can be a bit confusing the first time you purchased a digital pattern and see all of the files that come with your order. Print-at-Home, A0 File, Projector File? What does it all mean? Fear not, your sewing fairy godmother is here to explain it all and help you get the most out of your PDF Sewing patterns.
Below I will cover:
Overview:.
Each purchase includes 4 files:
A step-by-step sewing tutorial
A print-at-home sewing pattern (meant to be printed at home on either A4 or 8.5 x 11 paper)
An A0/Copyshop Pattern (a large format version of the pattern that you can send to a copyshop to print for you)
A projector pattern file: this file is not meant to be printed. It is set up to work with a projector
Each of the sewing pattern files included in your purchase contains the exact same pattern - the different PDF file types simply give you different options to access the pattern so you can use the method that is easiest for you.
Using PDF Pattern Layers:
Each of my PDF Pattern files contains layers. There is a different layer for each size, as well as a layer that contains pattern markings and labels, The projector file also contains a calibration grid layer to help you make sure your pattern is projecting to the correct scale (more on that in a minute).
The layers function is extremely useful, because it lets you uncheck the sizes you don't need, so you only need to view and print the size(s) you need. This can make it much easier to see the pattern lines for your size, saves on expensive printer ink, and it is also extremely useful if you wish to grade a pattern between sizes.
Not all PDF viewers offer the layers function, so if you cannot see the layers, you may need a different PDF program. There are several options out there, including:
Adobe Acrobat Reader
PDF XChange Editor
Foxit PDF Reader
Using the Print At Home File
The print-at-home file is the most commonly used of the PDF Patterns, as you can print and use it right away.
Printing the Print at Home File
Open the print at home file and uncheck any size layers you do not want to print (as described in the section above)
Click the print icon on your computer (or select File - Print)
When the print dialog box opens, make sure your the scale is set to ACTUAL size or 100%
You do not necessarily need to print every page. The sewing tutorial includes a print guide that tell you which pages to print for each pattern piece, and there is a cutting chart for rectangular pieces so you do not have to print these pieces if you don't want to.
It is up to you if you with to print in color or black and white ink, however, if you are printing multiple sizes, the color coded lines can make it easier to see which line belongs to which size.
IMPORTANT: After printing, double check the 1 inch (or 5cm if using a metric ruler) test square on the first page to make sure your pattern printed to the correct size. Even a difference of 1/8 of an inch on the test square can add up to a big difference once you start cutting your pattern pieces. If your pattern does not print to the correct scale, double check you are printing to actual size or 100%, and if this does not help, try a different PDF viewer or try printing from a different device.
Assembling the Print at Home File
The print at home file needs to be taped or glued together so you can use it, like a puzzle but much easier.
Each page has a page number and diamond shapes along the edges. You use the page numbers to put the pages in the correct order and the diamonds help you to line the pages up perfectly.
Each of my patterns contains a print-at-home assembly guide with a picture of how to lay out your pages for that particular pattern (see the example below).
Each page contains a little bit of extra margin along the side. You will need to trim some of these margins with scissors to help you line up the pages and tape or glue them together.
After your pages are assembled it is up to you whether you prefer to cut your pattern pieces out of the printer paper, or if you wish to trace over the pieces with pattern paper and keep the printed and assembled file as a "master" pattern for later use.
Using the A0 Copyshop Pattern
The A0/Copy Shop pattern file is set up for large format printing. Depending on the size of the pattern, the A0 file will usually contain 1-3 pages measuring 33.1 x 46.8 inches each (this is A0 size but will also work for printing on Copyshop paper, which is 36 inches wide).
You can send the file to a local copy shop, or there are several online PDF plotting services that will print and shop the file for you I have personally always had good look with https://pdfplotting.com/
The A0 file is also equipped with layers so you do not need to print all of the sizes if you do not want to.
The A0 file has 1 inch and 5 cm test squares so you can double check that the pattern printed to the correct scale.
The advantage of the A0 Copyshop file is that you have little to no taping and assembling to do. My preference when using Copyshop files is to trace my pattern pieces onto swedish pattern tracing paper and to keep the A0 file as master pattern in case I need to trace a new pattern pieces at any point.
Using the Projector File
The projector file is not to be printed out, instead the pattern images are projected onto a flat surface (usually your cutting table or the floor). You place your fabric on your cutting surface and cut around the projected image
Projector files included with Little Castle Designs purchases include a calibration grid. You can turn the grid layer on to make sure the lines match the lines on your cutting mat so you can be certain your projected images are the correct size
The projector file also contains size layers which can be turned on or off.
Little Castle projector files show items that are to be cut on the fold as "unfolded" meaning it shows the whole piece jnstead of just half. The fold line is still there if you prefer to cut on the fold , but if you prefer to cut all the way around the piece - or you are trying to get a design on your fabric perfectly centered - the unfolded pattern .can be very useful
Projector files work best with a computer program specially designed to work with sewing patterns so you can properly calibrate your projector and import your PDF projector files. I use the free program Pattern Projector
Projector sewing could be the subject of several blog posts all on its own. If you are interested in getting started with projector sewing, the Projectors for Sewing Facebook group has a wealth of information.
While it can be a bit of a learning curve at first to make the switch from tissue paper patterns to PDF patterns, once most people make the switch, they never go back. The combination of being able to instantly download your patterns, being able to turn layers on and off, and being able to print your pattern over and over again is incredibly useful and very easy once you get the hang of it!
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