In this post, I’ll show you how to print and assemble a PDF Pattern. PDF sewing patterns are becoming increasingly popular as they are affordable and instant. There is so much more choice out there these days with so many fabulous independent designers offering this option. However, for a lot of newbie sewers and “old school” sewists sometimes the thought of printing and assembling a PDF pattern can seem like too much work. With a few simple tips printing and assembling is not as hard as it seems. I have used the Venus Kimono for this tutorial to provide a few simple tips and instructions that will have you sewing in no time.
Once you have purchased your pattern you will get an email with a link for you to download your pattern. This will usually be a .zip file which includes two or more pdf files including the instruction booklet and the pattern.
Printing your PDF pattern
Printing your pattern to the right size is critical! Make sure before you print that you choose the option “print at actual size” or “scale 100%” or “no scaling”.
Print off the pattern on regular A4 or 8 1/2 x 11″ paper.
There will be a Print Text Square that measures 10cm x 10cm . This is usually on the first page. Print this page off first before printing all of the pages. If you go ahead and print all you will waste alot of paper if it’s not correct.
Once you have measured your square and it is exactly 10cm x 10cm go ahead and print the entire pattern. If the square doesn’t measure correctly go back into your settings and adjust until the square measures correctly.
Assembling your PDF pattern
You will find that most PDF sewing patterns will include a pattern layout in the instructions. Have a look at this page before assembling your pattern so you can see how the pieces will fit together.
Hot Tip! There is no need to trim all sides of the pattern sheets, just cut the right hand side and bottom on each sheet. This will leave the left border and top border free to use as the overlap to stick to. Also, to save more time don’t worry about cutting the bottom border of the last row.
A little guillotine is very handy also, makes quick work of the cutting process. I definitely recommend cutting one sheet at a time and no cheating by trying to stack a few on top of each other! Believe me, I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work. You will end up cutting off too much or too little and then have to print it all off again.
Trim and assemble one row at a time. Line up your first pattern sheet and match the notches together, for example 1a to 1a and then stick with sticky tape. Then match 1b to 1b working left to right and continue until you have completed the first row. 
Overlapping the pattern pieces together.
Then assemble the next row matching and overlapping the bottom borders and work left to right.
If you don’t have a huge table to lay it out on the floor.
Continue until you have finished all rows.
If the reference points don’t match exactly, don’t worry. Just make sure the design lines are matching as best they can. If they are a little off just blend with a pencil afterwards.
Then all you need to do is cut your pattern out to the right size and your done.
Time to cut the fabric now and get sewing.
Printing at a Copy Shop
For some sewists the idea of assembling a PDF pattern is really boring and tedious. For this reason our patterns at Sew This Pattern include an A0 size version of the pattern so you can take it to the Copy Shop to print off on one piece of paper.
Rosa
Hola, como puedo descargarme el patrón de la falda envase?
Annie
Hola!
Aquí os dejo el enlace al patrón.
Gracias
Annie
https://sewthispattern.com/es/product/annie-a-line-skirt-free-pattern/
Yahli
Hi
I am new to this… I understand that there is a seem allowance, but there is no marking where the final seem should actually be… Am I missing something?
Annie
Hi Yahli,
The seam allowance is included. So you use your sewing machine to line up your raw edges with the correct seam allowance. Not many patterns have seam lines included as with all the graded sizes it becomes very messy.
It’s not needed if you use your sewing machine correctly.
Thanks
Annie
Taysha
Is this pattern exclusively designed for a4 paper? I tried to print at home on letter paper and the bottom of each page is missing. Any tips?
Annie
Hi,
Yes, it is designed for A4. You can print on letter, the margins will be smaller but you should still get all of the pattern on the page.
thanks
Annie
JANENE WEBER
Does this pattern have a seam allowance and how much?
Annie
Hi Janene,
Yes all my patterns have 1.5cm or 5/8 of an inch seam allowance.
Thanks, Annie
patricia
Dont forget to use an old pair of scissors for cutting out the paper not your good dressmaking scissors, otherwise good scissors get blunted and dont cut fabrics cleanly and precisely. Thanks for helpful tips!!
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Deborah Fullbright
I just paid for the pattern and have not received a email or link to down load the pattern. Pleas help.
Annie
HI Deborah,
Sometimes the email might go into your junk or spam folder. Our records show you were sent an email so check there first and if you still haven’t received it I can email it directly to you.
Thanks and Happy Sewing.
Annie
FAQ’s
Joan Bertie
First PDF was done at home. Yes, do-able but extremely tedious. From then on, copy shop method by far the best choice. I always double my order at $4.00 (Canadian) per sheet. So I have all sizes on one, and simply cut out the pattern on the second sheet. Allows more time for sewing!
Nine Stitches
Hi Joan, I love the idea of printing out 2! I’m going to do that from now on.The money you spend on the Copy shop print out is well worth it for the larger patterns isn’t it? Still cheaper than purchasing a printed pattern too. I’m happy to stick together smaller patterns like the shorts, tops without sleeves etc but dresses and jackets are very tedious! Anniex
Raincheck
Going to make as soon as I get home!!!0