How To Assemble and Organize PDF Sewing Patterns

PDF sewing pattern assembly youmakeitsimple.com

In this post, I am going to give you some tips on how to assemble and organize your PDF sewing patterns. Using digital PDF sewing patterns can:

  • Save you money
  • They are easy to access and archive
  • Open up a lot of online sewing pattern choices

In a previous post, I showed how to download and print your PDF patterns. Now I’m going to go over how to put them together and store them.

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I used to have a drawer full of miscellaneous patterns that were pinned together and it was a mess. Then I tried storing them in small white envelopes, and then I put those in a pretty white box with a lid, but that didn’t work so well for me.

Because the envelopes were small, the bundles were BULKY and it took a lot of time to get the cover to look nice. I’m going to show you how I organize my patterns.

Let’s go over how to assemble your PDF sewing pattern

If you’re lucky, the pattern will have a diagram guide somewhere on the pattern on how to put the pages together. Some instructions are more complex than others, depending on how many pages are included to form one pattern piece.

After you have printed out the pattern, there are a few things to look for before assembling the pattern.

Materials & items needed

  • Any special cutting instructions
  • Seam allowance
  • Size indicator/chart
  • Special tools or equipment needed
  • Fabric and thread recommendations
  • Presser feet or sewing machine attachments needed

Suggested Items Needed To Assemble and Organize PDF Patterns

 

Before doing anything, make sure the pattern has printed the correct size. Most patterns will have a test square to measure to see if the pattern has printed true to size. VERY IMPORTANT!

Using the diagram from the instructions, line up the sheets of paper in the correct order.

On my patterns, I use a blue box on most patterns to indicate the connecting points on the sheets of paper. To reduce bulk, cut off one side and the bottom of the sheet (on the blue line). I like to use an Exacto knife, but you can just use scissors.

Attach the sheets together by using clear tape or masking tape.

Make sure things are lined up correctly and then cut out the size you need.

The beautiful thing about digital patterns is that, if you are going to make up the same item but need a different size, you can just print the pattern section again and cut out that size needed.

Storing & Organizing PDF Sewing Patterns

There are many ways to organize your patterns. Find the system that works best for your situation, sewing space, and is to your liking.

This is the way that I find works best for me.

 

I use simple manilla envelopes that measure 9 x 12 inches and have a clasp. You can get it at a good price HERE.

Instead of printing a separate sheet for the cover, I just glue the front sheet of the pattern to the envelope. It will have the title of the pattern, and usually a photo. It’s pretty simple and straight forward.

Then I store them in these cardboard magazine organizers. I suppose if you wanted to get real fancy, you could buy the more sturdy plastic organizers.

If you have a ton of patterns, you can sort them in different containers with the categories written on the boxes. (i.e.: BABY, TODDLER, HOUSEHOLD PATTERNS, WOMEN, etc.).

I hope that was helpful and inspires you to take advantage of the goodness of digital PDF sewing patterns and gives you a few ideas on how to get them organized.

GET MY PDF SEWING PATTERNS HERE

Happy sewing and organizing!

 

 

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How To Download and Print PDF Sewing Patterns | Step by Step Tutorial

PDF sewing patterns youmakeitsimple.com

Being able to purchase a PDF sewing pattern online is a good thing. In this post, I am going to show you some tips on how to download and print PDF sewing patterns step by step.

Where to find PDF sewing patterns?

There are several places to find printable patterns online. Some common places are Etsy and on private sewing websites.

You can find my sewing patterns HERE.

Where to locate your purchased PDF sewing patterns?

Email: Most places will send you an email with a link to a download page, or they may direct you straight to a download page for an instant download. 

Can’t find your email? I get this a lot from customers saying they can’t find the email or they don’t know where to find the pattern. 98% of the time, the file is in their spam folder. So check there first. Another issue could be is that the email you have on that account has changed or you’re looking in the wrong email account.

spam folder PDF sewing patterns

CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER!

Etsy: Etsy digital shop purchases can always be located by going to your Etsy account.

Click on your account

Choose “purchases and reviews”

There you will find all your purchases. Click on the digital purchase and it will direct you to the download page where you can then click on DOWNLOAD. It will download the PDF to your computer.

Private Seller: If you purchase the pattern from a private seller, you may need to register on their site or create an account. Once you do that you’ll have access to the files forever once you log in. All sellers handle their PDF files differently but most likely this will be the process.

How many times can I download the pattern?

This depends on the seller. Some have unlimited downloads and some will only let you download so many times. (I find this to be rare).

PDF sewing patterns
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How to save PDF Sewing Patterns

Once you download the pattern, you’ll want to save it somewhere that you can easily find it. Here are a few suggestions.

What you’ll need to download and print the PDF Sewing Pattern

  • Some kind of PDF viewer. I recommend Adobe Acrobat and you can get the FREE download here.
  • Printer
  • Paper
  • Desktop computer or laptop

 

Printing the PDF Sewing Pattern

Just a few things to note:

  • Before printing, check to see if there are any special printing instructions. Some patterns will come with a separate PDF with printing instructions.
  • All printers are different and will have different printer ques.  
  • Most patterns will have you print at 100% or at ACTUAL SIZE. Make sure the “fit to page” or “page scaling” is turned off and not clicked.
  • Check the paper size. (Most likely the pattern will print out on letter or A4 size).
  • TEST SQUARE. Most patterns will have some kind of test square that you will measure to make sure the pattern is printing the correct size. Locate the test square and print that page only! (This will save a lot of paper in case it is not printing correctly).
  • Measure the square and make sure it measures what it is supposed to and then proceed to print the rest of the pattern pages.

That’s it! Stay tuned for some great tips on how to assemble and store PDF sewing patterns.

Here are some other sewing posts that you may be interested in.

I hope you’ll give some PDF sewing patterns a whirl. 

 

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