Avid stitchers are always on the lookout for their next sewing project but their creativity can sometime be stifled by budget, as buying sewing patterns can be expensive.
One way of keeping the cost down for smart and frugal stitchers is to print out their sewing patterns at home.
Cheaper alternative
Printing out your sewing patterns in PDF format is very often going to prove cheaper than pre-printed commercial or independent patterns.
There are several plus points about printing out your PDF sewing patterns at home, apart from just the cost savings. You can choose to reprint the pattern in a different size if that is what you want to do and you can enjoy greater flexibility in how you use the patterns.
Printing your pattern
The first thing to do before you get started on printing your pattern is to make sure that your printer is primed and ready to go.
You can get replacement and spare ink cartridges online at very reasonable prices for suppliers like StinkyInk.com and others. This will give you the peace of mind to know that you are good to go whenever you want to get started on your sewing pattern.
It is fair to see that the minor drawback to printing your own PDF sewing pattern is that you may have to do a bit of preparatory work before you can begin cutting your fabric, but this is not that troublesome if you are a regular seamstress and not really an issue when you consider the cost savings.
Getting started
Open your chosen sewing pattern file via a PDF reader like Adobe Reader or a similar product.
A good tip here is to go to the print settings box and check to ensure that the file is set to print at actual size rather than scale to fit.
This will make a fundamental difference and if you don’t check this before clicking to print, you could easily end up with a pattern that doesn’t fit. You should find that the vast majority of PDF patterns are generally formatted to print on standard-sized paper (8.5” x 11”), so you should not have to worry about using any special paper, which will keep the cost down.
Test square
Your next step in the process before you arrange to print the whole pattern, is to locate the page of the pattern that contains a test square.
You will find that the location of this test square will vary according to the pattern designer. Once located, print this page only to check that the pattern is going to print out at the correct size and to save wasting paper by reprinting the whole pattern.
Putting the pattern together
Having ensured the settings are correct and you are happy with everything, you should now have a complete pattern in front of you after printing has finished.
Make sure that you have enough space on your table or on the floor if you prefer, so that you match up all the pages using the pre-printed markings. Some of the pages may need to be trimmed before securing in place with some tape.
You are now ready to cut out the pattern and set to work, having saved some money by printing your pattern at home.
John Sollars started his company in 2002 and has watched the printing industry evolve over time. With a passion for writing and for helping people, he likes to share what he has learned over the years. Look for his illuminating posts on many websites and blogs.
