Frequently asked questions

Our digital patterns are PDF files you download and print yourself - no waiting for the post! Each pattern includes both the full pattern pieces and complete instructions, in multiple print formats: print at home on letter or A4 paper, or have the large format files (A0, or 36″ × 48″ for the US) printed. Once you've downloaded and saved your files, simply print them out, assemble the pages and you're ready to sew. Please note that some patterns are still in our older format and may not include as many file options. Make sure that you check the patterns listing for the most accurate information on what is included in your purchase.

Need a hand? Our step-by-step guide will walk you through printing, assembling and using your PDF pattern.

As soon as your order is complete, your files are ready in three places:

• download them directly from the order confirmation page right after checkout;
• use the download link in your confirmation email; or
• log in to your account any time - every pattern you buy is saved there, so you can re-download whenever you need.

Just click each file to download it, and save it to your computer for future use.

Yes! Every pattern you buy from us lives in your account, so you can download it again any time you need to - new computer, lost files, or you just want a fresh copy. Just log in and head to your account, where all your files are waiting.

If you checked out as a guest, or a pattern isn't showing up, email us at hello@megannielsen.com and we'll track it down and send it straight over.

Most download and printing hiccups are quick to sort out, and we've got a step-by-step guide to walk you through it.

If you're still stuck after that, we'd love to help - just email us at hello@megannielsen.com and we'll sort it out with you.

No problem at all - your patterns are always saved in your account, so you can log in and download them again whenever you like. If you can't find them there, send an email to hello@megannielsen.com and we'll do our best to help.

PDF patterns include all instructions and tiled pattern pieces, and can be printed at home on either letter or A4 size paper. Print out the first pattern page that contains the calibration square first. Measure the 2″ (5 cm) calibration square to make sure the pattern was printed to the right size. If the calibration is off you may need to adjust your printer settings.

A tip if your test square prints slightly wrong: open the file in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader (rather than a browser or photo app) and set printing to Actual size or 100% / no scaling. Then cut or fold around the border of each tile and tape or glue the pieces together using the markers on each edge as a guide.

Need a hand? Our step-by-step guide will walk you through printing, assembling and using your PDF pattern.

As of April 2020 all new patterns are released with size layering. Patterns which include size layering allow you to print only the sizes you want, or all sizes at once. We are also working through our catalog of patterns to update existing patterns with size layering.

If a pattern includes size layering this will be clearly stated in the product information, and all layered files will be labelled as such. All products which do not explicitly state that they include layering do not, though they may be updated in the future.

New to layered PDFs? Our step-by-step guide to show you how to select and print just the sizes you need.

Every PDF pattern includes large format files - so instead of printing and taping dozens of home pages together, you can have the whole pattern printed on one or more large sheets (how many depends on the pattern). We provide two large format sizes: A0, and 36″ × 48″ for the US.

We keep a list of recommended large format printers by country on our Where to print your large format patterns page - that's the best place to start. You can also take the large format files to any local print, blueprint or engineering shop. Wherever you go, just ask for it printed at 100% / actual size with no scaling, and check the calibration square once it's printed.

Not at this stage - we don't currently offer projector files. Every pattern does include a print-at-home file (letter or A4) and large format files (A0, or 36″ × 48″ for the US), so you can choose whichever printing method suits you best. Projector sewing is something we know a lot of you love, and it's on our list to explore for the future.

Our patterns are stored in the USA and are processed on a daily basis. American domestic orders are shipped from our warehouse in the USA via USPS First Class mail and should arrive in 2–5 business days.

International orders are shipped from our warehouse in the USA via economy shipping, which generally arrives in 2–4 weeks, or Express courier, which arrives in 5–10 business days. These delivery time frames may vary from time to time and are a rough estimate only. Australian orders are shipped from our studio in Perth, Australia via Australia Post, which generally arrives in 1 week. Only Australian order ship from Perth, all other orders ship from the USA. Delivery time frames may vary from time to time and are a rough estimate only.

We are not responsible for lost or stolen packages. Please ensure that your shipping address is correct, as we cannot be held responsible for undeliverable items that occur due to incorrect addresses.

If a package is returned as undeliverable we are happy to resend the package at the purchaser's expense to another address. If you suspect that your package is lost, please email us at hello@megannielsen.com so we can work out a solution.

Possibly - it depends on where you live. Orders shipped to outside the USA can attract import duties, taxes or a customs handling fee set by your own country. These charges aren't included in your order total and aren't something we can calculate or collect for you; they're set and charged by your local customs authority, and are the responsibility of the recipient.

If you're in the UK or EU, VAT is a little different - we're required to collect it at checkout and remit it on your behalf, so that part is already taken care of and you shouldn't be charged VAT again on delivery. You can read more in Pricing & taxes. Any separate customs duties are still set by your own country.

If you'd like to know in advance, your national customs or post office website can usually give you an estimate. And for our digital sewists: because PDF patterns are downloaded, not posted, there's nothing to declare and no customs duties to pay - though if you're in the UK or EU, VAT still applies to digital patterns and is collected at checkout, just as it is on physical orders.

You may checkout in your chosen currency via the toggle in the top right of the website.

All Australian orders include GST (10%) - prices on our Australian store already include it, so there's nothing extra to pay at checkout.

All UK orders are charged VAT starting 1 January 2021 in line with current UK legislation. Product prices are displayed excluding taxes, and VAT will be added at checkout for all UK orders.

All EU orders are charged VAT starting 1 July 2021 in line with current EU legislation. Product prices are displayed excluding taxes, and VAT will be added at checkout for all EU orders.

This applies to our digital PDF patterns as well as physical products - VAT is charged on all UK and EU orders, whether they're posted to you or downloaded.

Physical patterns may be returned within 30 days of purchase as long as the pattern is unopened and in saleable condition. The cost of the item will be refunded, however the shipping will not. Please contact us at hello@megannielsen.com prior to shipping back your order. If you are returning an item due to a mistake on our part we will refund the cost of the item and the shipping.

Due to the nature of digital files we do not accept returns on any of our PDF patterns or digital products and refunds cannot be given.

All samples offered for sale in the Sample Sale are one-of-a-kind garments. All sales of these garments are FINAL and returns/exchanges are not possible.

Our patterns come in four ranges: Standard 0–20 and Curve 14–34 for women, plus Mini (children's, sizes 3–12) and Maternity (XS–XL). Curve is drafted on a separate block with a considered fit for curvy bodies - some patterns currently run 14–30 while we add the final two sizes, and the available range is noted on each pattern.

Rather than cup sizes, we draft to the difference between your upper and full bust (about 2″ / 5 cm for Standard and 4″ / 10 cm for Curve). For full charts and how to find your size, visit our Sizing page - and check each pattern's listing for its size chart and finished garment measurements.

For detailed information on how to find your size in Megan Nielsen Patterns - including how to measure yourself properly - please visit our Sizing page. For a realistic representation of our sizing, visit the Meet the Models page.

This surprises a lot of people, so please don't read anything into the number! Sewing pattern sizes aren't the same as ready-to-wear clothing sizes - and sizing varies not just from shop to shop and country to country, but from one sewing pattern company to the next as well. The size you are in our patterns may be different from another pattern brand's, or from the clothes in your wardrobe, and that's completely normal. Pattern sizing is based directly on your body measurements, with real ease built in for comfort and movement.

The golden rule: ignore the size you usually buy, measure yourself, and choose your size from our size chart. The number on the pattern doesn't matter one bit - the fit does.

Our patterns were originally drafted in alphabetical sizing (XS–XL), based on my own ready-to-wear clothing line, which dates all the way back to 2010. Since 2018 we've been steadily regrading them into our numbered 0–20 sizing - a more precise, refined fit across a wider range of bodies. Most of our patterns have already been updated, and we're working through the rest.

If a pattern is still shown only in XS–XL, it's one that isn't viable for us to regrade - these older styles will be gently retired over time rather than updated, so they won't move into the numbered range.

And if a pattern you already own is regraded into the new numbered sizing, the updated files are yours free of charge - see "My pattern has been updated" below, or check the Pattern Updates & Errata page.

Our Standard (0–20) and Curve (14–34) ranges aren't a simple grade up and down from one another - each is drafted separately on its own block, with a fit genuinely considered for those bodies. Because they're two distinct patterns, they're sold as separate products, and buying one range doesn't include the other.

That said, if you already own a pattern in one range, you're entitled to a discount on the same pattern in the other range - so you're essentially only paying for the extra sizes. Just reach out to hello@megannielsen.com if you need a hand.

Our Curve range began at 14–30 and now extends to 14–34, so a few Curve patterns are still in the 14–30 range while we complete the expansion. As with all our updates, if a pattern you own gains the extra sizes, the new files are complimentary.

You'll notice sizes 14–20 appear in both our Standard (0–20) and Curve (14–34) ranges - and that overlap is completely intentional. Our bodies are all different and many of us span a range of sizes, so rather than leave anyone stuck between the two ranges (buying and blending two patterns to get a fit), we wanted to give you the choice.

The two ranges are drafted on different blocks for different proportions, and the biggest difference is through the bust. Our Standard range is drafted for a smaller bust - about a 2″ (5 cm) difference between your upper and full bust - while Curve is drafted for a fuller bust, around 4″ (10 cm), with the whole shape considered for curvier figures.

So if you fall in the 14–20 overlap, choose the range that best matches your bust proportion and how you like your clothes to fit. To make it easier, the sewalong for each pattern includes a comparison of the grading between the two ranges, so you can see exactly how they differ and choose with confidence. If you're still not sure, our Sizing page can help, or just email us.

This is really common - very few of us match a single size exactly, and our patterns are designed with that in mind. Your measurements often span more than one size (say one size at the bust and another at the waist or hip), and you can blend smoothly between sizes for a fit that's truly made for you.

Our Sizing page walks you through exactly what to do - how to measure yourself properly, how to read the size chart, and how to blend between sizes - so head there and it'll guide you step by step. Every pattern's free sewalong then shows you how to make these adjustments as you sew.

We're asked this a lot, but height isn't actually used in pattern drafting. What sets length is your inseam and waist-to-floor measurement - not your overall height - so those are the numbers to look at.

Compare each pattern's finished garment lengths to a garment that fits you well, then lengthen or shorten the pattern at the marked lines before you cut. It's one of the easiest adjustments to make, and we walk through it in each pattern's sewalong.

Our patterns are professionally drafted to industry standards using a combination of Gerber Accumark and Clo3D, and are thoroughly tested internally by our team, and externally by people who love to sew (like you!). If you would like to help test our patterns, just fill out the pattern testing page.

Seam allowances are included in all patterns and are ⅝″ (1.5 cm) for woven patterns and ¼″ (6 mm) for stretch patterns unless otherwise stated. It's always worth double-checking your pattern, though - the seam allowance is clearly stated on the pattern pieces themselves.

Welcome! We're so glad you're here, and sewing really is for everyone. Look for patterns marked Beginner Friendly on our skill scale (you'll see it on every pattern listing); these are designed to build your confidence with clear, achievable steps.

Then sew along with us - every pattern comes with a free, photo-by-photo sewalong that guides you through each stage, and you can ask questions and share your progress with other makers in our Sewciable community. You've got this.

As clearly stated on all patterns and instructions, all Megan Nielsen Patterns and designs are copyright for personal, non-commercial use only, and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or shared in any form. Items made from our patterns may not be produced for resale. When you purchase Megan Nielsen Patterns, you are agreeing to our terms of service. All designs, illustrations, images, text and all other aspects of patterns are copyright Megan Nielsen Patterns. All rights reserved.

Yes - we absolutely love seeing stores and sewing schools teach with our patterns, and we're happy to support you. The one rule is that every student must have their own copy - our patterns are licensed per person and can't be photocopied, shared or handed out as class materials.

To make that easy, stores and schools can buy our patterns - PDF or printed - at wholesale prices for their students. See our running classes page for how it works.

Thank you for letting us know - we test every pattern thoroughly, but very occasionally a correction is needed and we always want to put it right. Please check our Pattern Updates & Errata page first: if it's a known issue, the fix (and corrected files where relevant) will be listed there.

If what you've spotted isn't listed, email us at hello@megannielsen.com with the pattern name and where you're stuck, and we'll look into it and help you keep sewing.

Never! If we update or correct a pattern you already own, the new version is yours free of charge. This includes when we expand a pattern's size range - for example regrading an older XS–XL pattern into our numbered 0–20 sizing, or extending a Curve pattern from 14–30 to 14–34. If you own that pattern in that range, the updated files are complimentary.

Just email hello@megannielsen.com with your order number or proof of purchase and we'll send you the current files. You can also see what's changed, and which patterns have been updated, on our Pattern Updates & Errata page.

Please note: our Standard and Curve ranges are separate products, so a free update means the newer version of the range you already own - it doesn't cross between the two ranges. (There's a discount for buying the other range - see Drafting & sizing.)

Simply sign up to our newsletter and confirm your subscription, and you'll receive a welcome email with a code you can use in our store to get any of our newsletter subscriber perks for free.

We're so grateful for all the help we get from the sewing community testing patterns before they are released. There are no special requirements for pattern testing - you don't need to be an expert seamstress, have a blog or jump through any hoops. Just fill out the pattern testing page.

Pattern testers are chosen fairly randomly, using a cross-section of sizes and expertise for each pattern, but we do try to work our way through the list to make sure as many people get a turn as possible.

Great, we love working with wholesalers! Head to our Wholesale page and apply by email - we'll review your application and get your account set up, with up-to-date pricing and ordering information.