How to print and assemble a PDF sewing pattern
In this tutorial video, you will find all our tips and tricks to download, print, assemble, and prepare your PDF sewing pattern. All to make your sewing easier.
You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader here if you need a PDF file reader.
For the English version, remember to activate the English subtitles.
What is a PDF sewing pattern?
A PDF sewing pattern is a sewing pattern that comes in a digital format. It means you get the pattern in several files that need to be printed.
1) Buy and download a PDF pattern
First of all, if you want to correctly print your pattern you need to buy and download it. It can be trivial to say so, but it is really important to download all the files, one by one. A PDF pattern can contain many files. For example, at ikatee, you will have a guidebook, in French and in English, two files with all the sizes: one in A4/US letter and one in A0, and one file in A4/US letter for each size. For some of them, you now have a Projector file (learn all about projection for sewing patterns in this article). We highly recommend downloading all of the files and saving them in a dedicated folder on your computer as at ikatee you can only download the files 5 times. You can create a folder in your mail inbox but save them as well on a computer.
If you have difficulties downloading the files, try and change your browser ( Safari, Google Chrome, or Firefox for example).
2) Print a PDF sewing pattern at home.
A. Adjusting the printer
Once you selected the size you want to use and print, open the corresponding file.
Here comes the technical phase: you need to check the printing parameters. If you don’t print at the right scale, your pattern will be distorted. The finished garment will likely not be the right size.
The parameters to choose are:
- Portrait format
- A4/US letter format
- Print at 100% (this is the key parameter!) with no page scaling.
B. Printing the TEST page
Ikatee’s PDF sewing patterns are all equipped with test squares on the first page of the file. Once the parameters are selected, we recommend printing the first page only and checking the size of one of the squares: 3 x 3 cm or 1 inch x 1 inch. If the size is correct, you can print the rest of the pattern while checking the parameters are still the same. Sometimes they can bounce from one printout to the other.
If the square is not 3x3 cm, you probably missed a parameter. Go back through the list and check that everything is correct.
If you have difficulty downloading the files, try switching to a different browser (Safari, Google Chrome, or Firefox, for example).
3) Put together a PDF sewing pattern.
You’ll note that a black rectangle frames the lines of the pattern. What we want is to edge the rectangle from one page to the other and assemble them. To get rid of the margins of the sheet, we recommend cutting the four sides of the rectangle, it is the option that creates fewer layers. But if you wish to gain time, here are our tricks: fold two sides on the lines (cf video) or cut two lines out of the four, always the same.
You can then put the sheets together, edge on edge, while making sure the labeled diamond are matching. For this, we recommend using tape. Make sure to follow the layout design, so you’ll know when to start a new line. If not, you might end up with curious shapes!
4) Cut the PDF sewing pattern
Last step: the cut! You just need to follow the lines. At ikatee, the seam allowances are always included.
Now that you can print, put together and cut your digital patterns, you can check our full collection of PDF sewing patterns in the store.
5) Alternative: print the A0 sewing pattern at a printshop.
All our digital patterns have an A0 file with all the sizes.
Print in A0, our recommendations :
To make the printing step easier and avoid taping A4 sheets together, ikatee offers its patterns in A0 PDF format. These are very large sheets with all the pattern pieces for all sizes printed at once. We avoid overlapping the pieces in this case, allowing you to cut them out directly if you wish. However, it's always a bit of a shame to cut up a pattern sheet since you might want to make a different size later. In any case, we've tested two printing sites for A0 formats for you.
France:
This option is particularly nice for those who don’t like to assemble patterns at home, and for which the shipping costs can be high from France. Many options exist, here are linked some of them, but you can probably find a lot more.
USA:
https://patternprintingco.com/
https://ewefibers.com/products/pattern-printing
http://stitchsewshop.com/print/
Canada:
https://www.blackbirdfabrics.com/products/pdf-printed-patterns
https://www.sewyyc.ca/pattern-printing
https://spoolandspindle.com/
UK:
https://www.printingandplotting.co.uk/
https://www.planprinting24.co.uk/
Australia:
https://megannielsen.com.au/products/a0-printing
The advantages of the PDF pattern
Choosing between a PDF pattern and a paper pattern can be tough, but it ultimately depends on your preferences and the specific sewing pattern, as some have many pages to be printed at home. However, here are the advantages of PDF patterns that we particularly like:
- Instant Availability: The pattern is available right away wherever you are.
- Flexible Printing Options: You can print only the desired size or multiple sizes, without the need for decals, as the pieces are not superimposed.
- Quick Assembly: For baby and children's patterns, which often contain fewer pages, assembly is quick.
- Cost Savings: PDF patterns are less expensive than paper patterns, and there are no shipping costs.