How to Print and Assemble PDF Patterns from SewExplicit Patterns PART 2

In continuation of the previous post, where I showed how to print PDF patterns. This second part will show you how to assemble the A4 (or US Letter) paper tiles into your full scale pattern. The assembly method employed in SewExplicit Patterns might be slightly different from what you may be used to. So if you are planning to use our sewing patterns, the steps below are what you will follow to assemble your sewing pattern.

ASSEMBLING THE PATTERN TILES

1. Check that the Test Square is exactly 4 by 4 inches.

2. Check that the distance of each of the vertical and horizontal grey guidelines is exactly 0.75” ( 3/4”) from the edges of the paper.

3. If you have printed correctly, you will notice that there is a small distance at the edges of the paper that is not printed. Don’t worry, this is because printers don't print to the very edge of the paper.

4. The pattern tiles are designed to overlap each other by 0.75”. This is indicated by the grey vertical and horizontal guidelines on each page (which you checked earlier)

5. Using the tiled pattern picture in the instruction booklet as guide, paste with sellotape by aligning the left edge of each page to the vertical guideline on the right of the previous page; and aligning the top edge of each page to the horizontal guideline at the bottom of the previous page.

6. You can start by aligning and pasting the first row. Then start building up from there, aligning and pasting page by page, completing a row before starting the next.

NOTE: you are not trimming off any portion of any page. The sewing patterns are designed as trimless, that is you don't have to trim off any part, before pasting together.

If you have pasted correctly the grey guidelines should be barely visible.

At the points where there are printing gaps, you can easily blend using  your pencil and drawing instruments .

 7. Once you have all your tiles pasted and well aligned, you can turn to the back and reinforce the joints with sellotape.

8. Once you have your pattern tiles well pasted together, for easier handling, you can now loosely cut around each pattern piece in preparation for tracing out or cutting out your size. (your lines don't have to be jagged like mine is in the picture below, but you get the drift)

TRACE OUT FIRST OR CUT DIRECTLY?

 Once you have assembled your pattern, you can cut out your size directly or first trace onto another paper/cardboard.

Why would you trace?

1. if you have printed “All Sizes” and you need to work on a particular size. It is possible for one to just cut out only the size one needs but one may find the lines from other sizes (within the size one has cut) distracting.

2. If  you want to preserve a particular pattern for further use but you don't plan to go through printing, aligning and pasting it all over again.

Why would you cut straight away?

1.No time.

2. You have printed only the size you need.

3.You don't mind printing, aligning and pasting all over again when next you want to use the pattern.

Pointers for cutting

1. Try as much as possible to cut clean lines, no jagged edges.

2. Cut away the lines. That is you cut just behind the size lines so that the lines aren't visible on your cut out patterns.

Pointers for tracing

1.Trace on a fresh sheet using tracing wheel  with (steel) ruler  Make sure that the assembled pattern and your new sheet are secured and stationery while tracing. Make sure you transfer all notch marks, mark out all trace marks using drawing instruments or steady hands.

Label all your pattern pieces with necessary notations for identification and ease of use.

To cut out your newly traced pattern, follow the pointers for cutting above.

that is it! Check out our sewing patterns in the shop

UPDATE: the format for laying out the pattern tiles has changed and the vertical and horizontal guidelines have been made away with. Instead the more popular layout that puts each pattern tile within a bounding rectangle is now used. One will have to trim away edges before pasting together.