How to Print PDF Sewing Patterns at Home

PDF sewing patterns are usually formatted to print across multiple standard sheets of paper, tiled like a puzzle you assemble at home. Getting a clean, accurate result takes a few extra steps beyond just hitting print.

The single most important setting is scale. In your PDF viewer's print dialog, choose '100%' or 'Actual size', never 'Fit to page' or 'Shrink to fit', since either of those will scale the pattern down and throw off every measurement.

Almost every PDF pattern includes a test square, usually a 1 inch or 5 centimeter box printed on the first page. Print that page first, then measure the square with a ruler before printing the rest. If it doesn't match exactly, adjust your printer's scale setting and test again.

Once printing is confirmed accurate, print the remaining pages and trim the margins along the guide lines printed on each sheet. Lay the pages out in order using the small page numbers or a layout diagram included in the file, then tape them together, edge to edge, before cutting out your pattern pieces.

If your home printer only handles letter or A4 paper, look for a 'copy shop' or 'projector' version of the file when one is available. Copy shop files print on large-format paper at a print shop with no assembly required, and projector files let you trace the pattern directly onto fabric using a projector, skipping printing altogether.