Understanding PDF Sewing Patterns
When you purchase a PDF sewing pattern from Sewillow, there are a few different ways in which can use your pattern. We don’t currently offer ready printed paper patterns because we have customers all around the globe, and as a small business, providing customers with a PDF copy allows them multiple options and leaves us more time to design more patterns rather than waiting at the post office queue.
So let’s dive straight into our beginner friendly guide to using PDF sewing patterns.
What is a PDF Pattern?
A PDF pattern is a digital sewing pattern that you download and either print or project directly onto your fabric. Printing can be done at home, or you could opt to send the file to a printing company. This flexibility allows you to choose the method that best suits your resources and preferences.
How do you purchase and download PDF pattern?
To purchase and download a Sewillow PDF sewing pattern, select the ‘SHOP‘ option on this website or find Sewillow on Etsy HERE. Purchase the pattern you wish to use, ensuring you use an active email address when making your purchase, as you will receive an email with links to download the various files (as detailed below) after your purchase. We recommend saving your files in an easily accessible folder on your digital device for future use.
For Etsy customers, please note that digital files cannot be accessed via the Etsy App. Instead, log in through a web browser and follow these steps:
1. Sign in to Etsy.com and go to ‘Your account’.
2. Navigate to ‘Purchases and reviews’.
3. Select ‘Download Files’ next to your order to access your downloads.
For further assistance, visit the Etsy help page: help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115013328108-How-to-Download-a-Digital-Item. This process is useful if you ever need to re-download your files.
The Types of PDF files you receive when buying a PDF Pattern
Upon purchasing your Sewillow PDF sewing pattern pattern, you will be provided with various file options. It is not necessary to print ALL of the files. As a quick summary, you only need to READ the Instruction file, and you only need to PRINT ONE of the pattern files. Here’s a quick guide to what these files are and how to use them:
1 – The Instructions File
Called the pattern name followed by “instructions.pdf” for example 025_OmillaQuiltCoat_Instructions.pdf.
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- This file includes a size chart, instructions on printing and assembling the pattern at home, and step-by-step illustrated guides on cutting and sewing the item. There is no need to print this file unless you prefer to have the printed instructions, but some of you may just wish the read the instructions from the screen of your digital device while working.
2 – The A4 print-at-home File (also suitable for US-letter printing)
Called the pattern name, followed by the suffix “A4.pdf” for example 025_Omilla_A4.pdf
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- This file allows you to print your pattern pieces on regular paper on a home printer (Sewillow A4 patterns also fit on US-letter paper). The pattern will span across multiple numbered pages. But to make it a bit easier to cut to your size, you can choose to print your size only – click HERE to read our guide on how to print to your size.
- Once printed you will need to trim or fold the pages to the outlined frames and lay the pages out as per the provided diagram included in the Instruction document. The triangles help to line up the pages and also show which page goes alongside which. Stick together the full pattern pieces using tape or glue on the folded edges.
Here’s a video example of how this pattern file is joined into a single large pattern comes together.
3 – A0/Copy Shop File (also suitable to use with projectors)
Called the pattern name, followed by the suffix “A0.pdf” or “copy shop.pdf”; for example 025_Omilla_A0.pdf
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- A0 is a large format paper size (841mm by 1188mm) ideal for printing at copy shops. This method avoids the need to tape pages together but can be more costly. To print your A0 files, you can either upload them to an online print shop or arrange for a local copy shop to print them for you.
- Online print shops will post the printed item to you. Our US customers have had good experiences with pdfplotting.com, in the UK, I have heard positive reviews from customers using flamingoprints.co.uk.
- For local printing, contact your copy shop to arrange emailing the file to them or bring the file on a transferable hard drive. Ensure the printout is to scale before finalising your order.
- Projectors are becoming increasingly popular for their convenience and efficiency. You can use a projector mounted on the ceiling, wall, or a tall tripod to project your pattern onto your cutting table. All Sewillow pattern files are provided with PDF layers – It is recommended to access the layers options on the PDF so that you are projecting only the size your are cutting.
4 – The Papersaver print-at-home File (also suitable for US-letter printing)
Called the pattern name, followed by the suffix “papersaver.pdf” for example 025_Omilla_papersaver.pdf
- This file allows you to print your pattern pieces on regular paper on a home printer just like the A4 version but it uses significantly less paper because the pattern pieces overlap – this is similar to old-style magazine sewing patterns. The files also comes with layers so that you can print your size only (recommended), see our guide HERE.
- Once you print your pattern in your size, follow the different coloured lines to trace individual pattern pieces onto tracing paper for cutting.
I hope these instructions make the process clear and straightforward, allowing you to focus on the joy of creating your next sewing project. Should you have any further questions, feel free to reach out. Happy sewing!
