How to Download, Print & Assemble a PDF

Where to find your purchased PDF sewing patterns?

Upon purchase, you'll receive an email containing a link to a download page, or you may be directed straight to an instant download page. If you can't locate the email, check your spam folder first, as 98% of the time, the file ends up there. Another possibility is that the email associated with your account has changed, or you might be checking the wrong email account.

On the download page, you'll find all your purchases listed. Simply click on the digital purchase, which will lead you to the download page where you can click on "DOWNLOAD" to save the PDF to your computer. Once you log in, you'll have perpetual access to the files.

Video of how to download your PDF sewing pattern

Printing and Assembling Your Sewing Pattern

Follow these steps to print your pattern at the correct scale, arrange the pages, and assemble them accurately.

1. Print your pattern at the correct scale

Open the file

  • Download your pattern files and open them in Adobe Acrobat Reader(free).
  • Avoid printing directly from a web browser, as this can affect the scale.

Check your print settings

  • Choose Actual Size or 100%.
  • Do not choose “Fit to Page” or “Scale to Fit”.
  • Turn off double-sided printing.
  • Choose A4 or US Letter to match the paper you are using.
  • Set orientation to Auto or Portrait, as appropriate for your file.

Measure the test square

Print the first page and measure the test square with a ruler. It should measure exactly 4 cm × 4 cm. If it does not, check the print settings and print again before printing the remaining pages.

Test square measurement illustration A printed page with a square marked four centimetres wide and four centimetres high, measured with rulers. 4 cm 4 cm TEST SQUARE Check before printing every page

The test square must measure 4 cm × 4 cm when printed.

2. Arrange the printed pages

  • Place all pages on a large, flat surface.
  • Use the page labels and the assembly grid guide to put the pages in order, row by row.
  • For example, the first row may be labelled A1, A2, A3; the next row B1, B2, B3.
  • Keep the pages in the order shown by your own pattern's layout guide.
Helpful tip: Page labels and layout can vary between patterns. Use the page labels and assembly grid guide supplied with your download.
Example of a sewing pattern page grid Nine paper pages arranged in three rows and three columns, with labels A1 to C3 and alignment symbols along adjoining edges. A1A2A3 B1B2B3 C1C2C3 >< >< >< >< >< ><

Illustrative grid only. Follow the page order included with your pattern.

3. Align and assemble your pattern pages

Arrange the pages

Lay the pages out in the correct order on a flat surface. Check the labels and follow the assembly guide.

Match the symbols and lines

Bring neighbouring pages together. Match the alignment symbols, such as < and >, and check that the pattern lines continue smoothly.

> <

Tape the pages together

Once the symbols and lines match, secure the join with clear tape. Check the full pattern before cutting out the pattern piece.

Before cutting: Make sure all pages are in the correct order, the pattern outline joins smoothly, and all important markings are visible. Some patterns use different assembly methods, so follow any specific instructions included with your download.

How to Download and Open Your ZIP File

A ZIP file is a compressed folder containing your sewing pattern files. First, download the ZIP file to your device, then extract it to access your PDF sewing pattern.

Desktop Computer or Laptop (Recommended)

Windows

Step 1: Download your ZIP file

  1. Click the download link for your sewing pattern.

  2. If prompted, choose Save and select where you want to store the file. Otherwise, it will usually save automatically to your Downloads folder.

  3. To find the file, open File Explorer and select Downloads from the left-hand menu.

Step 2: Extract your ZIP file

  1. Right-click the ZIP file.

  2. Select Extract All.

  3. Choose where to save the extracted files, then click Extract.

  4. Open the new folder to access your sewing pattern PDFs.

Mac

Step 1: Download your ZIP file

  1. Click the download link for your sewing pattern.

  2. If prompted, choose where to save the file. Otherwise, it will usually download to your Downloads folder.

  3. To find it, open Finder and select Downloads from the sidebar.

Step 2: Extract your ZIP file

  1. Double-click the ZIP file.

  2. A new folder containing the extracted files will appear in the same location.

  3. Open the folder to access your sewing pattern PDFs.

iPad

Step 1: Download your ZIP file

  1. Tap the download link for your sewing pattern.

  2. If prompted, tap Download to confirm.

  3. Open the Files app.

  4. Tap Browse, then look in iCloud Drive → Downloads or On My iPad → Downloads. The exact location depends on your Safari,Chrome etc download settings.

  5. If you can’t find the file, check Safari’s Downloads button or the Downloads list.

Step 2: Extract your ZIP file

  1. In the Files app, locate the downloaded ZIP file.

  2. Tap it once to extract it.

  3. A new folder containing the files will appear in the same location.

  4. Tap the folder to access your sewing pattern PDFs.

To rename the folder, touch and hold it, then tap Rename.

iPhone

Please note: We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop to download and manage your sewing pattern, as the files can be large and may be more difficult to manage on a mobile device.

Before You Print

Once you’ve extracted the ZIP file, open the PDF sewing pattern using a PDF viewer. We recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free of charge.

Save the extracted folder somewhere easy to find so you can access your pattern again whenever you need it.

Print Shop Copy A0 files

If you have A0 files and don't have a large format printer, download them as usual and then email them to your local Print Shop for printing or see our Partners Page for a discount PatternToPaper 

How many times can you download the pattern? Unlimited! Happy sewing.