Printing and Prepping Our Patterns: Sewing Pattern Secrets Digital Download Library of Patterns

Hello Sewing Buzzers,

From time to time I get calls from sewists trying to understand how sewing patterns are printed at home.

Try to imagine the tissue paper design laid flat on the kitchen table. Instead of one flat piece of tissue paper, you print out pages which will form that same design as on the traditional tissue paper method, only you print them, place them and tape them in position. Then you will cut out your selected size pattern pieces.

Pros:

Unlimited downloads
Physically and digitally storable in multiple sizes
Not old school, fly away tissue limited to being only cut once

Step 1: Setting Up Your Printer for Pattern Printing

Printing your sewing patterns correctly starts with the right printer settings. Here’s how to ensure your patterns come out perfectly:

Open Your PDF: Use a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader to open your pattern file.
Adjust Settings: Go to print settings and set the paper size to 8.5 x 11 inches or A4, depending on your region.
Scale to Actual Size: Ensure the scale is set to “Actual Size” or “100%”. Avoid “Fit to Page” to prevent distortion.
Orientation: Set the page orientation to “Portrait”.
Single-Sided Printing: For patterns, print single-sided. For instructions, you can opt for double-sided printing to save paper.
Test Print: Print the first page to test the scaling. Measure the test square for accuracy. If correct, proceed to print the entire pattern.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure your pattern prints to the correct scale and size.

Step 2: Assembling Your Printed Patterns

Once your patterns are printed, it’s time to assemble them. Here’s how:

Layout: Lay out all the printed pages according to the print layout guide, usually found on page three of your instructions.
Align Pages: Neatly align, corner to corner, pages adjacent should line up perfectly. Do not allow buckling, overlapping of paper, or massive gaps between pages. Any discrepancy on an upper row of more than 1/8″ will be 1/4″ or more by the time you reach a bottom row on a large plus sized pattern.
Large Surface and No Wind: Allow space to spread out.
Tape Pages Together: Use clear removable tape to join the pages, starting from one corner and working your way across the pattern. Ensure everything lines up correctly. After you’ve done a few patterns, you’ll see you don’t need to tape all the white space, only the parts with the pattern printed on it. Except for occasions where the pattern needs a bit of tape in the white space so that it does not buckle or morph.

Assembling your pattern correctly ensures it will be easy to follow when cutting your fabric.

Step 3: Cutting Out Your Pattern Pieces

Now that your pattern is assembled, it’s time to cut out the pieces:

Identify Size: Refer to the graded cut lines in your pattern to find your size. Each size is indicated by a different color.
Cut Along Lines: Use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to follow the cutting lines precisely. If there’s a gap along the margins, as happens when you do not have a borderless printer, follow the line as best as you can.
Keep Seam Allowances in Mind: Seam allowances are included with all of our patterns. Check the pattern for seam allowance indications, as these are crucial for the fit of your garment. Seam allowance charts are on the pattern and the instructions PDF.

Once cut, keep the paper pattern piece pinned to the fabric and you will be marking and organizing the pieces. See Step 5, for Prepping the Fabric before you actually cut out the fabric for the pattern. This Step 3 is simply to explain about printing and prepping the pattern itself.

You can always write us at support@sewingpatternsecrets.com with any questions at all!

Step 4: Printing the Instructions

You can just view your instructions on the browser, but 9 times out of 10 you are going to want them handy as you computer may go into sleep mode or you may get interrupted if you go back to your computer. To print the instructions use the following settings:

Open Your PDF Instructions: Use a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Adjust Settings:
- Paper Size: Set to 8.5 x 11 inches or A4.
- Scale to Fit Page: Select “Fit to Page” to ensure the instructions utilize the entire page.
- Orientation: Use “Portrait” orientation.
- Double-Sided Printing: Choose double-sided printing to save paper, if preferred.
Print Layout Page: Usually on page three, this page shows you the layout to place your pattern pieces in order to tape. It is also useful to know how large the pattern is and how many pieces of paper it will require to print out.

Once printed, staple the instructions together to keep them organized.

Step 5: Preparing Fabric and Transferring the Pattern

With your pattern pieces ready, let’s move on to preparing your fabric:

Lay Out Fabric: Prewash and iron your fabric. Trim unraveled ends off. Notice the grain line of the fabric, and direction of the stretch. Notice the right and wrong sides of the fabric. Place your fabric on a flat surface, making sure it’s wrinkle-free.
Position Pattern Pieces: Refer to the fabric layout guide on page 4 or 5 in your instructions to position the pieces correctly and efficiently on the fabric. Notice the machine edge, cut edge, bias, the fold (if any), single layer and double layer cutting requirements, and if there is a pattern on the surface of the fabric like plaid, is it correctly positioned?
Pin or Weigh Down: Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric or use pattern weights to keep them in place.
Optional Tracing: You can cut straightaway as if you were using tissue paper, however if you prefer, trace the pattern pieces onto the fabric using tailor’s chalk or an erasable fabric marker. Tracing is often preferred for silks, satins and slippery surfaces. See our article on Working with Satins.
Transfer Markings: Transfer all necessary markings, like darts or notches, to the fabric.
Cut Fabric: Cut the fabric pieces carefully, following the pattern outlines. Keep the cut fabric pieces together with their corresponding paper patterns.

Properly preparing your fabric ensures accuracy and ease during the sewing process.

Step 6: Organizing and Storing Your Patterns

Keeping your patterns organized is key to a smooth sewing experience:

Keep Pieces Together: After cutting your fabric, keep the paper pattern pieces with the fabric pieces until you’re ready to sew.
Use Storage Bags: For long-term storage, use zip-up bags or envelopes to store your paper patterns. Label them clearly with the pattern name and size.
Store in a Box: Store these bags or envelopes in a sturdy container like a banker’s box to keep your patterns safe and organized. We used a Bankers Box.
Digital Patterns: You can keep your digital file on your home computer file folders, Cloud Storage or just leave them up on the site. You can access them any time you want.

By following these steps, you’ll find our membership site a user friendly and helpful resource.

Any questions, call us at 833-SEW-EASY or write support@sewingpatternsecrets.com

Happy sewing!

Molly McGuire