What are PDF patterns?
PDF patterns are downloadable patterns which you can print at home on a normal domestic printer or a copy center at a wide format (A0,A1). You then assemble them together with glue or sellotape, and once that’s done you can use them as if they’re a normal pattern. It’s so easy.
Saving and opening your PDF pattern correctly
The first thing that you have to do after you have downloaded your PDF pattern is save it into a new folder on your computer, removing it from your Downloads. We do not recomand to open and print from your browser. Then you can right click on the file and choose Open With… Adobe Acrobat Reader. (If you don’t have this software you can download it for free here.)
Once you save your file, you can bring the pattern file to a copy or print shop (drag it over to a USB drive, or upload it to the print shop’s website) to be printed on wide-format paper A0 or A1. If you go the copy shop route, please inform the copy center to print at ”Actual size”. If you are printing at home, continue!
Print the test page
All our PDF patterns come with a square on the first page, that measures exactly 10 centimeters on all sides. Print page 1 only first, and make sure your printer is set to print “actual size” and on the size of paper what you order the pattern (Do not print on a letter paper if you purchase a A4 PDF pattern). When you take this page out of your printer, measure the square against a ruler to make sure the measurement is still 10 x 10 cm. If so, you’re cleared to print the remaining pattern pages. If not, adjust your print settings and try again!
Print the remaining pattern pages
You may notice for a PDF pattern that some pages contain also the actual pattern templates. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether you’d rather save the paper and ink and only print the pattern templates. Otherwise, go ahead and print everything so you’ll have it on hand when you begin to sew.
Trim Edges
To make things quicker, we like to cut off just the bottom and the right hand sides on dotted lines, and overlap the edges. This also makes lining the pieces up a lot easier.
Assemble the pattern puzzle
Putting together a PDF pattern is a lot like assembling a puzzle – this piece fits into that one and before you know it, it looks like a dress (or a trouser, skirt, jacket, etc.)! So spread them out on a large table or floor and get to work matching them up in the right order.
Page A1 is allays in the left top corner. We recomand to start from here. The pages are noted with letters and numbers where the letters represent the columns and numbers the rows. You will find 1 or 2 small square at the edges. This to be matching. When you have the lines meeting correctly, use clear tape to tape the two pattern pages together.
Continue this process on the remaining pattern pieces. Now your pattern is ready to trace! We always recommend tracing a pattern rather than cutting into it.
Please note all our patterns have the stitching seams included inside of the patterns so you do not need to work suplimentary to add this. The value of the seams can be find on the product page at fabrics and trimings or you cand deduct the value from notches.
