How do I Print and Assemble my PDF Sewing Pattern?

One of the many advantages of using PDF sewing patterns is the convenience of downloading and printing them at home. With just a few clicks, you can have your pattern ready to sew without waiting for shipping. However, printing PDF sewing patterns can be a little tricky if you're new to the process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to ensure your pattern prints perfectly and is ready to use!

What You’ll Need:

  • A home printer (inkjet or laser)
  • Standard A4 or Letter-sized paper (check pattern instructions for size)
  • PDF sewing pattern file
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software for opening PDFs)
  • Scissors or rotary cutter
  • Tape or glue stick
  • A ruler to check scaling

Open the PDF File

After purchasing your PDF sewing pattern, you’ll receive a download link via email or directly from the website. Once downloaded, locate the file on your computer and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is important because some other PDF readers may not display the pattern correctly or affect printing scale.

If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from the Adobe website.

Check Print Settings

To ensure the pattern prints at the correct scale, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the print menu: In Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the printer icon or go to "File" > "Print."
  2. Set the print scale: Under the print settings, select “Actual Size” or “100%”. Do not use “Fit to Page” or “Shrink Oversized Pages,” as this will alter the scale of the pattern.
  3. Page orientation: Set the page orientation to Auto Portrait/Landscape, as some pages may be printed horizontally.
  4. Check for scaling box: Our PDF patterns include a test square on the first page to check that the pattern has printed at the correct scale. Make sure to print this page first to verify.
  5. Make sure that “Choose paper source by PDF page size” is NOT checked!

Print a Test Square

Our PDF sewing patterns include a test square, 1 inch x 1 inch or 4 cm x 4 cm. This square ensures your pattern has printed at the right scale.

  • Print the test page: Print only the first page (the one with the test square) to check your printer settings.
  • Measure the test square: Use a ruler to measure the square. It should measure exactly as indicated (1 inch or 4 cm). If the square is off by even a small amount, double-check your printer settings, especially the scaling, and try printing again.

Print the Full Pattern

Once you’ve confirmed that your test square is accurate, you can go ahead and print the entire pattern.

  • Range of pages: Some patterns allow you to print only the size you need, or specific views of the pattern, by selecting a page range. Refer to the instructions for the correct page numbers.
  • Paper quality: Use standard printer paper (80gsm) unless otherwise specified. Heavier paper may not be necessary and could make assembling the pattern harder.

Assemble the Printed Pages

Once printed, you’ll notice that PDF sewing patterns come in multiple pages that need to be assembled. Here’s how:

  1. Cut or trim the edges: Our patterns come with a border that needs to be trimmed before assembly. Use scissors or a rotary cutter to trim along the lines as indicated in the pattern instructions.

  2. Match the markers: Each page will have diamonds that help you align the pages. Match these up like a puzzle, ensuring the markers connect.

  3. Tape or glue the pages: Once aligned, use tape or a glue stick to secure the pages together. You don’t need to glue or tape the entire edge—just enough to hold the pages together.

Cut Out the Pattern Pieces

After assembling the pages, your pattern is now ready to use!

  • Cut along the lines: Use fabric scissors or a rotary cutter to carefully cut along the pattern lines for your size. Be sure to follow the correct size line if the pattern offers multiple sizes.

  • Store the pattern: If you plan to use the pattern multiple times, consider tracing the pieces onto tracing paper or interfacing so you can preserve the original for future projects.

Alternative Option – Print at a Copy Shop

If you’d prefer not to print and assemble the pattern at home, our PDF sewing patterns offer a copy shop version. This version is a large format file (A0) that can be printed on large sheets of paper, eliminating the need to tape pages together.

Simply take the copy shop file to a local print shop or upload it to an online printing service. This option may be more convenient for large, complex patterns.

Printing your PDF sewing pattern at home may take a little extra effort in terms of setup and assembly, but it’s a quick and convenient way to access your patterns. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your pattern prints at the correct scale, is easy to assemble, and is ready for your next sewing project.

Happy sewing! If you have any questions or run into any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out through our Contact Us page!