PRINTING & ASSEMBLING YOUR PATTERN

Printing the Pattern
If you are printing your pattern at home using the A4/US Letter file, follow these steps to adjust your printers print settings to ensure that your pattern prints to scale, otherwise you will have problems with fit issues in your final garment. 

You will need a PDF reader on your computer. I recommend downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader (the free version works perfectly for printing PDF sewing patterns). You can download it here.

  • After downloading your files to your computer, open the A4/US Letter file into Adobe Acrobat. As an example, the file will look something like this - ModaPoiesisPlumeDress-A4US.
  • As you scroll down, you will see all of the separate pages contained in the file. For now, we will focus on the first page. You need to make sure that the “Print Scale Test” is the right measurement when printed as this will determine if the pattern is scaled to the correct size.
  • First, it may be helpful to turn off or hide the sizes that you do not need, keeping only the size(s) that you want visible and printed. This is not necessary but will make it easier for you to follow the pattern lines and make the pattern visually cleaner looking overall. All sizes available with your pattern are nested together but each one is on its own separate “layer”. In the right side menu, you will see a Layer icon with two layered squares. Click on it and a list of all the layers in the file will pop up. They each have a small square next to them with an eye symbol. As you click on each eye you will be able to turn them on and off as you like, notice on the pattern pages how the lines and elements disappear as you do this. The first 12-15 numbered rows are the sizes and the last few rows refer to refer to elements used to identify and piece together the pattern, so it is best to keep the last three turned on. Uncheck or turn off any size that you do not want to be visible/printed while keeping the eye turned on for only the size(s) that you need. Please note: This Layers option is only available on the desktop version of Adobe Acrobat. Also, if you are using the free version, you will not be able to save your layers preferences if you need to send the file out to be printed. In the paid version, you will be able to save your layers preferences.
  • Next, click on the Print icon on the top toolbar. The print dialogue box that pops up is where you will adjust your print settings.
  • Adjust the following settings in the print dialogue box:
    • Pages to Print - For now, we only want to print the first page. Check "Pages" and type 1 in the box.
    • Page Sizing & Handling - This is a crucial step to assure that your pattern is printed at the correct scale. If the scale is off, the entire pattern will be off. Choose either "Actual Size" or "Custom Scale". For "Custom Scale", enter 100% in the box. Many printers default to "Fit" or "Shrink Oversized Pages" but this option will scale the pattern to fit the page, altering the pattern measurements and your garment will not fit correctly.
    • Orientation - To make sure that no information is cut off, it is suggested to leave this option on Auto as it will center the image on the page. Unless you have a borderless printer, the "Portrait" option will not center the image.
    • Paper Size (under Page Setup) - Your file is formatted to print on either A4 or US Letter paper, so choose the size paper that you are using.
  • Now you’re ready to print. Print only the first page so that you can measure the Print Scale Test to make sure that your printer settings are accurate.
    • Print Scale Test - There are two line, a 5 centimeter line and a 2 inch line. You only need to measure one. Use an accurate ruler to make sure that the line measures exactly one of these measurements. If you find that it is off by even a small amount, try going through the previous steps again. This small amount can add up to a larger discrepancy in your final outcome.

Once you have confirmed that the first page is to scale, you can now print the rest of the pages using these printer settings. 

If you want to omit any pages that you do not need, refer to the “Print at Home Layout” marker. Adjust this under “Pages to Print” by entering only the pages that you want to print.

Troubleshooting - If find that you are still not getting an accurate result, go to Page Setup and under Format For, make sure that the exact printer that you are using is checked.

 

Assembling the Pages
To assemble your pages, you will need either tape or glue and optionally scissors or a paper cutter. Refer to the Pattern Layout Plan as a guide.

  • The pattern was designed with borders and triangular match points on each page to help accurately connect the lines . Each page will also have a number in the center in light grey, such as 1, 2, 3 and so on. Following the Pattern Layout Plan located on the second page of your pattern, join the pages in numerical order by either folding or cutting alongside the border to meet with the next page border while also completing the match points to create a diamond shape. The following rows you will need to cut or fold the border on the side and the top. Continue this process until you complete the entire pattern.
  • You can now cut out your pattern or if you prefer, trace it to another sheet of paper. If you kept all of the sizes checked on, locate your size by referring to the “Size Key” found of the first page of these instructions. Each size will be represented by a different style dashed or solid line.

Now you are ready to sew! All pattern pieces include seam allowance which is labeled each piece. You will also find the seam allowance measurements in the instructions.

 

If you have any questions regarding printing or assembling your pattern, please do not hesitate to contact us.