How to use PDF Patterns - updated tutorial

Download and Open the Pattern
When you purchase a Thread Theory PDF sewing pattern, a download link will appear on your computer screen. The same download link will also be sent to the email address that you entered during the checkout process. Click either of these download links to save the pattern folder to your computer.
Examine the Files
Within each PDF pattern folder you will find several PDF files. To view and print these files you will need a PDF reader installed on your computer. Many computers will have this reader already but if you do not, you can download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software here.- Read Me First - Read this first! This is a small introduction on how to assemble the Print at Home pattern. You don't need to print this but it is important to read it and refer to the page layout chart when you are taping together your pattern.
- Instructions - You can either print these off or you can keep them on your laptop or tablet to refer to while you are sewing.
- Print at Home (depending on the pattern, there may be one or several of these) - The rest of this tutorial will explain how to print and work with the Print at Home pattern.
- Print Shop - Roll Feed - If you prefer to avoid taping or don't own a printer, give this file to your local print shop. Specify that the file must be printed without scaling - the pattern pieces need to be full sized. The Roll Feed file is designed to work with 36" wide wide format printers. These are commonly found throughout North America.
- Print Shop - A0 - This file can be sent to print shops that print on A0 size paper. Depending on the pattern you are using, you will likely need to tape one or two sheets together (for instance, a trouser leg is longer than one sheet of A0 paper and so it will be spread over two pages). A0 printers are common in Europe and Australia. As with the Roll Feed print option, make sure to specify that you would like the file printed full size (without scaling).
Print at Home
Let's talk more about using the Print at Home file. This option is very convenient - you can purchase a pattern and get started with the sewing process immediately! There is no need to wait for the pattern to ship to you or for the print shop to print your file. The entire process is in your control. While Print at Home PDF patterns offer advantages, there are also disadvantages to (depending on your perspective). Our Print at Home files are designed to print on Letter or A4 sized paper. This means that you will need to tape or glue together many small sheets of paper to prepare your pattern. This is a time consuming process. Some people dislike doing this and others (myself included) find this to be relaxing and even meditative. I like to spend the assembly time contemplating my fabric and design choices. Assembling the pattern allows me to familiarize myself with the pattern pieces - it has become part of my creative sewing process!

- Printer Scaling: Ensure that 'scaling' is off so that your pattern pieces print at their full size. Printers tend to default to scaling so that the text or images fit nicely on a page of paper - we don't want this when printing a sewing pattern! To turn off scaling you will likely need to deselect "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Fit" (depending on your printer software). Ensure that Scaling is at 100%.
- Single Sided: Also, if your printer has the ability to print double sided pages, make sure that your printer is set to "Single Side" printing...don't print double sided! You will likely find this option in Properties.
- Econo Mode: If you would like to save ink/toner and paper, you can often find an "EconoMode" or "Draft Quality" printer setting that allows you to print with less ink. You will likely find this option under Properties > Paper/Quality. You can also replace the regular paper in your printer with recycled paper. I like to save up any paper that I have used (but only printed on one side) rather than throwing it in the recycling bin. That way I can print my PDF pattern on the unused side of the paper!

Assemble the Print At Home Pages
The pages are like tiles that need to be assembled into a single rectangle before you cut out your pattern pieces. Often times, people that are new to working with PDF patterns try to assemble each pattern piece individually. It is actually less time consuming and more accurate to tile all of the pages so that you are left with one large page - after which you can cut out your pattern pieces.







Use and Store the Pattern
You can also leave the entire rectangle assembled and trace out the pattern in the size that you need. This way you can roll up the rectangle and store it as a complete 'master' pattern so it is ready to use when you want to sew a different size or variation of the same pattern. Alternatively, you can just print out and assemble the pattern any time you need a new copy - that is one of the best aspects of using a PDF pattern! There are many ways that you can store your printed PDF patterns - you can roll them up with an elastic or ribbon or you can fold them up and put them in an envelope or in a plastic insert within a binder. If you fold your pattern pieces, flatten them out before using them again by putting an iron on low heat with no steam. Use a pressing cloth underneath and on top of the pattern piece (so that you don't melt the tape or transfer the printer ink to your ironing board or iron) and press gently. This is how I store my PDFs - I love being able to rifle through my pattern selection!
If you have any unanswered questions about working with PDF patterns, please have a look at our FAQ page or email me (Morgan) at info@threadtheory.ca. I would be happy to help you out!