How to Use Digital (PDF) Sewing Patterns
Every Sew Liberated pattern includes two ways to print your full-size pattern pieces:
PRINT AT HOME
Print immediately on standard paper, then assemble the tiled pages. Instant gratification but takes more time to assemble and trace.
PRINT SHOP
Have your pattern printed full-size on large-format paper, no taping required. This option typically includes a printing fee and shipping time, but there’s no assembly required.
*Some of our newer patterns also include a projector file, allowing you to skip printing altogether.
Download the PRINT-AT-HOME file and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader. We don’t recommend printing directly from your web browser, as browser settings can sometimes alter the scale.
BEFORE YOU PRINT
✓ Select Actual Size / 100%
✓ Make sure scaling is set to None
✓ Do not select “Fit”
First, print your test square.
Before printing the entire pattern, print the page containing the test square and measure it with an accurate ruler. If the test square isn’t the correct size, don’t print the rest of the pattern yet.
Assemble your pattern
1. Match the labeled diamonds.
2. Trim or fold the page margins.
3. Tape the pages together.
TIP: Your finished pattern will look like a much larger version of the layout diagram included with your pattern.
Download the PRINT-SHOP PDF and upload it to your preferred print service.
Ask them to print:
- At 100% scale
- With no scaling or tiling
Always measure the test square before cutting to confirm accuracy.
Our files are formatted as A0, A1, or 36″-wide sheets. The size is listed in the file name (for example: PRINT-SHOP-Lichen-A0) and inside the instructions.
We recommend using a pattern-specific printing service rather than a general copy shop. These small businesses specialize in sewing patterns, understand pattern scaling, and make ordering easy.
Recommended print services:
- Pattern Printing Co (US)
- Patternsy (UK, EU, ships internationally)
- Brooklyn Motif (US)
- Spool & Spindle (Canada)
- Sew YYC (Canada)
- PDF Plotting (US)
Ordering tip: Most services will ask for your paper size (usually A0) and page count. We recommend ordering from a laptop or desktop rather than a phone.
Many recent patterns include layered sizing, so you can print only the sizes you need (see “Printing Specific Sizes” below). It can be a good idea to print multiple sizes if you know you would like to make alterations.
Want to Print Only Your Size?
Use PDF layers to hide the sizes you don’t need.
Most recent Sew Liberated patterns include layered sizing, which allows you to choose which sizes appear when you print.
We recommend keeping visible:
- Your primary size
- One size above
- One size below
If your measurements span multiple sizes (very common!), keep the full range you may need. For example, if you’re a size 22 at the hips and a size 26 at the bust, print sizes 20–28.
How to Use Layers
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Open the Layers panel in the sidebar.
- Hide the sizes you don’t need.
- Print as usual.
Using a phone or tablet? Layer controls aren’t fully supported on mobile devices, so we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer when selecting and printing specific sizes.
Using a print shop? Select the sizes you’d like to print in Adobe Acrobat Reader, then save your PDF with only those layers visible before uploading it to your print service.
Digital Sewing Pattern FAQs
Do Sew Liberated digital patterns include seam allowances?
Yes! Seam allowances are already included in Sew Liberated pattern pieces, so there’s no need to add them yourself.
What’s the difference between Print-at-Home and Print-Shop files?
The pattern pieces are the same, the files are simply formatted for different printing methods. Print-at-Home files divide the pattern across standard US Letter or A4 pages that you assemble yourself. Print-Shop files are formatted on large sheets such as A0, A1, or 36″-wide paper and are printed full-size for you.
My test square is slightly off. Is that okay?
We recommend correcting the scale before printing the rest of your pattern. Make sure you’re printing at Actual Size / 100% with no scaling and that “Fit” is not selected. Then print and measure the test square again before continuing.
Can I print only the size I need?
Most recent Sew Liberated patterns include layered sizing, allowing you to hide sizes you don’t need before printing. We recommend keeping your primary size visible, along with one size above and below, to give you flexibility for fitting and adjustments.
Can I print my pattern from my phone or tablet?
We recommend using a laptop or desktop computer. Some PDF features, including layers, aren’t fully supported on mobile devices, and using a computer gives you more control over your print settings.
Can I pin regular printer paper directly to my fabric?
Yes. Printer paper is heavier than traditional tissue pattern paper, but you can still pin it directly to your fabric. Cut out the paper pattern first with paper scissors, then use your fabric scissors or rotary cutter to cut your fabric.
Do I have to cut out my printed pattern, or can I trace it?
Either works! Cutting out the printed pattern is quicker, while tracing allows you to preserve the original pattern and all of its sizes. Tracing can be especially helpful if you expect to make another size or fit adjustments later.
What is a projector file?
A projector file allows you to project full-size pattern pieces directly onto your cutting surface, eliminating the need to print and assemble paper pattern pieces. Some Sew Liberated patterns include projector files; check the individual pattern listing to see which files are included with your pattern.
I’m still having trouble. Can you help?
Absolutely. If your pattern isn’t printing as expected or you have questions about your files, email us at support@sewliberated.com and we’ll be happy to help.
Hi there, I have the areninte pattern and was wondering if it was possible yet to print only the layers/sizes needed and if not, is this something you will be offering on older patterns in future? Thanks!
Madeleine, thank you for the question!
We are working on a larger update to the Arenite Pants pattern, which will size it up to size 34 and add size layers to the pattern piece files. (We are committed to offering size layers on all new patterns, and we are gradually updating existing patterns.) Everyone who has ordered the Arenite Pants sewing pattern from us will automatically receive this update. I don’t have a fixed timeline, because we need to test out the size expansion, but I expect it over the next 6 months.
Hello, I live in Ireland and I found a great place to print the patterns for me – Crafty Studio in Dublin (craftystudio.ie). Great customer service and not expensive. For 3 patterns (8 pages) it cost €24.00.
Hi, do the seam allowances need to be added to the pattern? Thanks
Hi Anwen! No, our patterns all include the seam allowances in the pattern pieces.
Is there a tutorial for the Hinterland Dress without the front placket? I’m new to this and haven’t used a digital pattern before, so a bit afraid to start! Should I cut the received printed pattern to my size (don’t have tissue to copy it to and would be worried that I wouldn’t be accurate enough tracing it!)? Ditto not confident enough to do button holes.
Thanks.
I am used to pinning tissue patterns to the fabric. Can I pin the pdf printed pattern pieces to my fabric or will the paper be too thick?
Good question! Did you ever get an answer? I was thinking that the paper would dull my scissors too.
I’m no expert, but I think I can answer this one, having watched Shaerie teach this to Sophia while I was filming the Learn to Sew classes:
You can definitely pin paper pattern pieces to the fabric even if printed on normal paper, which is quite a bit heavier than tissue.
For the scissors, I would recommend having a less precious pair of scissors that are labeled as paper scissors, cutting out the paper pattern pieces first, and using your extra-sharp scissors only when cutting the fabric around the pinned paper pattern pieces.
You could always pin and then trace a chalk outline around the paper pattern to prevent you accidentally cutting the paper with scissors.
For about $3usd per yard you can use a Pattern Ease type product so you don’t have to cut your original pattern. This is a type of interfacing that you can trace your pattern and make adjustments on, re-pin several times. It’s 45″ wide . Pellon makes a similar product
Great idea!!!
Thank you for the help printing at home. By the way, the link is broken from the Hinterland Dress page.
I am a novice at home-printing patterns, having printed only a few other patterns, and this was my first experience working with layers. Using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (the free version), I couldn’t find a function to print only some sizes. If I’ve missed something, someone please help me out.
Instead, I used FlexiPDF by Softmaker, a German company whose office suite I’ve been using for many years. Instructions are available in English and other languages. The Pro version allows viewing and printing layers, but what is great, Softmaker allows anyone to use the Pro program for free (at least now in May 2022), but the program adds a small “watermark” with the name of the program. The watermark did not interfere with my use of the pattern. If I end up printing more patterns with layers, I will consider buying the program to support their work. I have no affiliation with Softmaker and am sharing in case there are other sewists who don’t want to subscribe to the paid version of Adobe Acrobat Reader and have already used the one week free trial of Acrobat Pro, maybe to print another pattern with layers 😉
Thank you Cassandra, we think we have fixed the link.
If you are on a laptop running Windows or a Mac, you will be able to hide/show layers in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. (I updated the layers section above to show what the tool looks like.) Unfortunately, I could not find a good free tool on mobile devices for showing/hiding layers.
I’m not sure if there was an update or if it’s different on my computer (Windows), but I found the layers icon on the right hand side. I was able to select the size I wanted and it printed out just fine.
Is a 1/16 of an inch margin of error on the test square okay? My 3 inch test square is 2 15/16″, which does add up on a larger pattern piece, such as a pants leg.
Thank you!
Hm, I don’t really want to say “yes” just yet, so let’s troubleshoot first. Are you measuring with a measuring tape, or a ruler? Measuring tapes can stretch out over time, so that’s one consideration. And are the lines on the measuring tape/ruler really heavy? Because you’re right, tiny little discrepancies add up, so it’s good to be sure. Try double-checking with a different ruler, and possibly try the metric box if you have a ruler with cm :). Let me know what you discover!
Love your patterns! More and more of us are using projectors for cutting out, bypassing paper altogether. I wondered if you would consider including a file optimised for this purpose? There are a bunch of resources out there, but in particular there is a facebook group, “Projectors for sewing”, which has some really comprehensive how-to notes (files) relevant for users and for pattern companies, including a checklist of what makes a pattern file “projector friendly”. It is true that the A0 / large format printer files can be helpful, but there are a few other things that would make a huge difference and mean users don’t need to adjust formatting before cutting. Some users won’t purchase patterns that are not projector friendly now, so it might just grow your customer base. Thanks for your consideration!
Jo, thanks for this prompt. I am so happy to be able to say that, with help from Rachael at Minimalist Machinist, the Bedrock Tee is our first pattern with a projector file! We are hoping projector enthusiasts will try it out and hope to be able to provide updates to our other popular patterns to include one soon.
Yes! I live my projector and almost use it exclusively. Especially with a larger pattern like the Madrone pants. I’m so tempted by the pattern but would really live a projector file (or even just some extra space added to the A0 format).
Madrone does include projector files 🙂
It’s important to bear in mind that home printers don’t print all the way to the edge of the paper. So if you’re using that option, it’s good to figure out how much of a margin your printer leaves unprinted. You will need to carefully overlap the pages accordingly as you fasten them together. I have found that using a paper cutter, and cutting two edges from each piece helps a lot. My printer prints to about 1/2 inch of the paper’s edge, so I have to overlap each edge of each piece 1/2 inch. Instead, I cut 1/2 inch from the top and left sides of every page. And then tape or glue the pages in order, starting at the top row from left to right, then adding the second row from left to right and so on. If you don’t want to cut two edges like this, you could fold them down. This may sound confusing, and hopefully I’ve explained it in a way that makes sense. Once you’re actually assembling the pieces, I think you’ll understand what I’m saying.
I only want to print the pages necessary for the bodice. Do you offer a chart or schematic that shows the page numbers?
We have this for some patterns, but it’s a great idea for improvement for others. Can you tell me which pattern you are working with?
The Hinterland. I was able to find which pages to print. It was somewhere on your site but I don’t remember where. I think it was mentioned in a blog post.
Any word on when the estuary skirt might be available with an updated pdf to support size layers? I’m planning on printing a new copy of my pattern, but will hold off if it’s coming soon 🙂
Hello! I’m so in love with many of your patterns. Are you considering adding projector files anytime?
Yes, most of our newer patterns now have projector files! Over the next few days, we’ll double-check that the product pages reflect that fact.
hi! I just download the metamorphic dress, is there a projector pattern available for this? thank you
Hi Jillian, we don’t yet have a projector file for the Metamorphic Dress, but I will note that you’re looking for it, so we can try to get that done. Sorry about that!
I ordered from you about 10 years ago, and got an actual pattern mailed from you-do you no longer do that anymore?
I’m sorry, but we don’t ship printed patterns directly from our site anymore. We still supply them to both online and in person local fabric shops.
I am so disappointed that the Stasia dress does not have layers or is in a AO format. I can use my projector if there are layers and an AO format but I could not find either. I will be far more careful in the future in purchasing patterns. I hate the added cost of print shop printing. When you live in a small town miles from anywhere the convenience of projector sewing is very important.
Hi Bernadette, I am sorry about your disappointment. The Stasia Dress does include A0 files with layers. And we are working to add projector files to our back catalog, so hope that Stasia someday will have those as well. Please send us an email and we will make sure you have the most up to date Stasia files.
Hello, I purchased the Matcha Top and see that you can’t print layers. Is there an updated version that allows for layers? Thanks, Mariilyn
Thanks for the question! I am looking to see if we can make that improvement for you.
Thank you. I would appreciate that.
Marilyn
I got the pattern printed but how do I get the instructions for Sylvan jacket? I don’t have a printer myself.
Hi Susan! The instructions are part of the download, you don’t have to print them out, you can read them from a tablet or get them printed out at a shop.
Is there a legend for pattern markings, such as notches for alignment and markings that need to be transferred to the fabric? I’ve never used a digital pattern before and the standard seems to be different than older patterns, like Simplicity. Thank you
Hi Denise! Yes, there is a legend for the markings and notches. 🙂
Can you tell me where to find it?
It should be in the bottom left corner of the pattern print out
trying to find the layers feature on free adobe reader for Chantelle pants… any tips???
Hi Pam! What type of device are you using?
On a desktop or laptop computer, you can follow the tips here: https://projectorsewing.com/access-layers-in-adobe-reader/
Unfortunately, Adobe doesn’t support layers on the phone or laptop version of Adobe Reader. BUT, on the iPhone, you can use an app called PDFelement, which allows you to hide layers in its free version: https://pdf.wondershare.com/guide/view-layers-ios.html
Thanks for response- I found the layering option! Very helpful as this is my first pdf pattern.
Can I ask another question ab the zipper extension pack?
This is the best thing ever! Thank you, now I will confess. I have at least eight of your patterns that I have NEVER figured out how to print! I’m so very happy 😆 thank you 🙏