In our latest post, part 4 we will cover printing out your sewing patterns. If you haven’t been following along, you might like to 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 cover some tips to keep you safe while shopping online, the in Part 3 the files you will receive and how you view them.
Printing out your patterns
How to print with a commercial printer:
You could email your pattern to a local small business print shop. Select the AO or large format file that came with your pattern downloads.
The instructions you want to provide to the printer:
- Black and white print
- One sided
- Print at actual size / no scaling
- Quantity – 1 (or the number of printed copies you want)
It is up to you if you wish to print out your instructions, or view them on a device. If you are getting them printed commercially, we’d suggest: A4 size, double sided and black and white (to keep the cost down).
Tip to level up! PDF Layers:
Your pattern PDF may include layers; each size sits on its own layer, so you can switch layers on or off to view or print just the size(s) you want. This gives you clearer pattern lines with no other sizes cluttering the page. Layers are usually labelled by size.
We recommend switching on three: the size below yours, the size above yours, and the size you’re actually making. For example, if I’m making a Large, I’d switch on Medium, Large, and Extra Large, that way it’s easy to blend between sizes if I need to adjust the fit anywhere.
Officeworks:
The plan printing services at Officeworks are very accessible allowing you to bring files in store (via USB, email or using cloud services) or upload online and get your patterns delivered to you. Read more here – https://www.officeworks.com.au/print-copy/p/plans-pcppplcp.
How to print at home:
Select the A4 or letter format file that came with your pattern downloads.
The print settings
- Black and white print
- One sided
- Print at actual size / no scaling / 100% of size
- Ensure you have not selected fit to page
Print off the test square first. You can physically measure this test square to ensure you have all the settings correct.
Assembling your printed A4 pattern:
Colette Patterns describe A4/US letter PDFs like this “The best way to imagine it is to think about a large piece of pattern tissue unfolded and cut into small rectangles.” You will need to assemble the grid of pages and tape them together into a sheet.
The individual pages are sometimes called “tiles”.
- Grab your paper(!) scissors. Trim away the top edge and right side edge of every page along the border line. You could use a paper guillotine to speed up the process.
- It helps if you kept your tiles in the order they were printed as this makes it easy to find the next one you need.
- Line up the markings on the border and ensure they are in the right order (hopefully the border is also marked with the reference of the next page to align with).
- As well as matching up the border marks, look for places where pattern lines meet and keep them as closely lined up as possible.
- 3M Tape is excellent for assembling your sewing patterns. This type of tape can be peeled off allowing you to realign pages if needed. Additionally, you can draw on 3M Tape with pencil or pen.
- Keep on adding until you reach the end of the row. Start the next row, tape the upper edge of the new row first page to the bottom edge of your first piece.
Once assembled, you have the same as what would be on tissue paper inside a pattern envelope. You can select your size and cut out the individual pattern pieces.
Your pattern may include a layout plan for assembling the individual pages.
In part 5 we are going to highlight exactly why we love PDF sewing patterns and highlight all the pros!