How to print & assemble PDF patterns
New to PDF sewing patterns? Don't worry - they're far simpler than they look. This guide walks you through printing your pattern at home and taping it together, step by step.
Print at home
Print A4 or US Letter tiles on your home printer and tape them together. Best for instant gratification - this guide shows you how.
Large format printing
Prefer to skip the taping? Take the A0 or 36×48″ large format file to a print service - it comes on one or a few big sheets, ready to cut.
Where to print large format →Prefer to watch? This short video walks through the whole process.
Download to your computer
Save your pattern and instruction files to a desktop or laptop before printing. We don't recommend printing from a phone or tablet - it often causes scaling and download problems.
You'll find your files on your account and order-confirmation page, and in your confirmation email. For home printing, choose the A4 or US Letter size (the A0 and 36×48″ files are for large format printing).
Check the calibration square first
Open the PDF pattern pages and look at page 1 - it has an overview of the pattern pieces, the variations, a size key, and a small calibration (test) square. Print only page 1 to test your settings before you print the whole pattern.
Measure the printed square with a ruler (it's usually 2 inches / 5 cm). If it measures exactly right, your settings are correct. If it's off, fix the scaling and print page 1 again. This one check takes a single sheet of paper and saves you from sewing a whole garment in the wrong size.
Your printer settings
- Scale / Page sizing: 100% - also called “Actual size” or “None”
- Turn off “Fit to page”, “Shrink to fit” and “Scale to fit”
- Paper size matches your file - A4 or US Letter
Print just your size (if your pattern has layers)
Many of our patterns include size layers - look for a layers icon in your PDF reader. You can switch off every size except the one (or few) you need, so you print only your size. It uses less paper and ink, and gives you a much cleaner pattern to cut.
Print the pattern pages
Back in your print settings, double-check the scale is still at 100% / Actual size - the same setting you calibrated. Use the assembly diagram or the “which pages to print” list on page 1 to print only the pages for your view and size, then print the tiles.
Trim & tape the tiles together
Each tile has matching triangles and labels (1A, 1B, 2A…) along its edges - these line the pages up. To join two pages: trim the thick frame line off one of them (trim the left edge to join across a row, the top edge to join down), then overlap it onto the next page so the matching triangles sit exactly on top of each other.
Tape or glue them in place. Work along one row at a time, then join the finished rows together until the whole pattern is assembled.
Cut out & start sewing
Once it's taped together you have one big pattern sheet, just like a tissue pattern from an envelope. Cut out your pieces along your size line, then follow your instruction booklet - or the free step-by-step sewalong - and enjoy!
A few handy tips
- Always print the calibration page first. One sheet of paper is cheap insurance against a wrong-sized make.
- Print from a computer, not a phone or tablet, to avoid scaling and download issues.
- Reprint any time. Because it's a PDF, there's no need to trace - just print a fresh copy whenever you like, and cut freely.
- Features are being added over time, so layers and assembly diagrams may not be on every pattern yet.
Try it with a free pattern
New to PDF patterns? The best way to learn is on a low-stakes make - grab a free subscriber pattern and give it a go.