Wrapping up our five part series – Screen to Seam: PDF Sewing Patterns, we are running through the pros! If you haven’t been following along, jump back and read Part 1 where we looked at sewing pattern online brands and online stores, in Part 2 we discussed how to avoid AI Slop Patterns, in Part 3 we looked at the files you receive and how to view them, in Part 4 we covered printing out your sewing patterns.
Why we love PDF Sewing Patterns
- Instant delivery – choose, buy and download in minutes. If you desire a new skirt in the middle of the night… you can start right there and then.
- No shipping and postage costs. You can access patterns from all around the world and you don’t have to pay for global shipping.
- Files saved to the cloud can be accessed from anywhere, anytime with your mobile device. You can pull up the instructions on you phone while at the fabric store and check how much fabric you’ll need to buy.
- Print your patterns as many times as you wish. No need to trace off copies to keep the other sizes. You can cut out your size, then reprint if you want to make another size for a friend.
- Most pattern designers will automatically send you updates to patterns you have previously purchased. Occasionally they find an error and will correct it then send you a new file. Many designers are also adding more sizes to their range and they may automatically send those through too.
- The paper stock used at home and by commercial printers is more durable than the tissue paper. You patterns can be used many more times before they deteriorate and rip.
- So many file formats! Many designers are adding projector file formats which eliminates paper entirely. They may have versions of the instructions that have loads of colourful photos that are ideal to view on a device, then a print friendly copy that won’t use up all your ink.
- PDF layers allow you to switch off the sizes you don’t need, reducing the number of confusing lines included in your printed pattern.
