HOW TO PRINT A PDF PATTERN AT HOME

​

Printing your PDF versions of our patterns is not as difficult as you may think. Here is a step by step guide on how to do it.

 

Things you will need:

​​

• Adobe Acrobat (free version available here)

• An A4 printer

• A Ruler

• Sellotape or Pritt Stick

• A Tape Dispenser (to make life easier)

​

​

Before you print, please note:

 

You can print your pattern as a full nest showing all sizes, or you can just print off the size that you need by hiding the other sizes.

​

To hide the sizes you don’t need, open the pattern in Adobe Acrobat, click on View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Layers. Once the Layers windows has opened up, deselect everything other than the size you wish to print. Always leave the Information layer selected.

​

Step 1 – Purchase then download your PDF version of the pattern you wish to print.

​

When buying any of our patterns from the shop you will get the option to purchase as a Paper or PDF copy. Please make sure you buy the PDF version.

Once you have completed the checkout you will receive an email with links to download the PDF files. Alternatively, you can access the download links by logging into your account on our website and visiting the download section.

​

Step 2 – Open pattern in Adobe Acrobat

 

If you don’t already have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer you can download it for free from the following link:

https://get.adobe.com/uk/reader

 

Step 3 – Print page one as a test.

When printing, make sure your printer settings are set to:

Paper Sizing & Handling > Actual Size
Orientation > Portrait

Page one contains a 10cm x 10cm calibration square. This allows you to check that your printer is not scaling the pages to a different size.

Print page one only, then get your ruler out! Do not use a tape measure for this as tape measures can stretch and give you a false reading.

Make sure the 10x10cm square is the correct size.

If  you find the square is not the correct size then you will need to re-check your printer settings. Every printer is different and therefore you may have to refer to your printers instruction manual for guidance.

 

Step 4 – Print whole pattern

 

After ensuring your printer is printing at the correct size, print the whole pattern off on A4 pages.

There may be several PDF documents for each style which are made up of multiple pages. i.e. Front, Back, Sleeves etc.

Tip – Wait until the whole document has printed before you start aligning and sticking the pages together. Some printers will print page one last!

 

Step 5 – Align & Stick the pages

 

Each page has a 15mm border with guides to help you overlap and align the pages properly. Take care to align the guides on top of each other carefully then stick together using Sellotape or Pritt stick.

Tips:

• Use a tape dispenser for your sellotape to make life easier and the process quicker.

• Some people recommend using Pritt Stick

• Small misalignments will soon add up over the course of the whole pattern. So be accurate.

 

Step 6 – Cutting out the pattern

Now you are ready to cut out your pattern or trace it off.

Don’t forget to print off your instruction booklet too.

Happy Sewing!

​