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Year by year, there are innovations in the fashion industry that will be so difficult for anyone not to feel the impact of technology in the industry. One may think this advancement will stop at the production of machines capable of doing just about anything in sewing.
Still, it has also changed the pattern-making game in the sector, downloadable sewing patterns. Of course, even if you are seeing this for the first time, you may already have a clue what this is about, but I bet you do not know how it is to be used.
So many other people also have problems taking advantage of downloadable pattern. This is why I have decided to teach people how to use downloadable patterns.
What is downloadable sewing pattern?
Downloadable patterns are electronic files that show different sewing patterns in a pdf format. You can print the pdf at your home or copy shops or companies offering pattern printing services.
How to use a downloadable sewing pattern
Downloading the sewing pattern
After getting your sewing pattern from an online pattern shop, the first thing for you to do is to download the pattern to your computer. Usually, a download link will be provided on the last page of the pdf pattern where you can download the purchased pattern file, or the download link can be mailed to you.
Once you’ve downloaded the file, go to the download folder or your computer’s desktop to check if it has been successfully downloaded. Then you can move the file to any folder of your choice. Pdf patterns can come in different formats: a single pdf file or zip file.
The single pdf file contains the instruction and pattern pieces in a single document, whereas the zip format will contain several files: separate documents for instructions and patterns. The different patterns can come in a single or several other PDFs.
Printing the sewing pattern
After a successful download, proceed immediately to the printing pattern. There are several printing methods you can adopt: you can print the patterns at your home with a personal printer or at a copy shop.
Irrespective of what method you finally settle for, it is important to know the appropriate print scale setting for the PDF pattern.
Printing sewing pattern at home
PDF patterns are printed the same way as printing every other document. After choosing the file and clicking on print, the print dialogue box will automatically open then you can set the scale to 100%.
Before you print the whole pattern, first of all, link the page in your pattern with the test square; print this page before every other to see if the scale is rightly set at 100%.
Measure your test square; if the measurement is incorrect, check your print scale options. If the pattern pieces and instructions are in a single file and you are only interested in printing the pattern pieces alone, set a specific page range to help you achieve this.
For the printing quality, you can choose either fast or draft so that you can use less ink for printing.
Printing sewing pattern at the copy shop
Copy the pattern file(s) into an external storage device and take it to any copy shop close to you.
If the file is in multiple formats, it will be printed on a wide format printer to ensure it comes out in one piece so that you wouldn’t have to assemble them again.
Tell the copy shop assistant that the scale of the image should be set at 100% and that they should measure the scale of the square on the pattern to verify. Do the same for a single file pattern as well.
Assembly the sewing pattern
After getting the hard copy of your PDF pattern, trim off the margin at the top and the left side of every page of the printed pattern.
You can use scissors to cut the margins of each pattern one after the other, or you can make use of a paper cutter to cut multiple paper patterns at a time. Just make sure that the cutting lines are aligned.
You can also fold back the margins of each paper pattern. This option is much faster than trimming the paper. To ensure that the pages are orderly arranged, patterns usually come with alphanumeric marking systems, so arrange the marks and every pattern lines accordingly and tape them together with clear tape, making sure the edges are straight.
To avoid flapping parts, tape any cutting line that overlaps with the edges of a page and at the meeting point of the 4 corners of the pages. While taping other parts, ensure the tape pieces are at most a few inches apart.
After successfully taping the pages, cut out the pattern pieces the normal way.
Sewing with the downloadable pattern
Downloadable patterns are used the same way we use tissue patterns. Nonetheless, you can also check the sewing instruction that comes with the pattern for proper guidance. If you didn’t print the instruction, you could view them on your computer or iPad.
Do you have to use a sewing pattern?
No, you don’t always have to use a sewing pattern. If you feel sewing patterns are not meant for you, you can still make impressive styles without using sewing patterns as a guide.
And if you haven’t worked with many sewing patterns in the past to be able to create patterns by yourself, you can always make use of a ready-made outfit model to replace sewing patterns for you.
Does simplicity do digital patterns?
Yes, simplicity does digital patterns. Simplicity has been offering digital pattern services since 2006, and it cuts across fashion accessories, baby clothes, and interior decorations.
All their digital patterns are sold in Circut design space software and are viewed exclusively through PrintSew.
How to store printed downloadable patterns
You can store your printed downloadable patterns by folding them and putting each in a gallon ziplock bag or labeled manilla envelope.
Alternatively, you can roll a stack of same-sized patterns and secure them with a rubber band, then put them in an upright position in a basket or bucket.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_sewing_patterns
- https://lifesewsavory.com/how-to-use-pdf-sewing-patterns/
