Guide to Digital Patterns (PDF patterns, ePatterns)
Updated 8/2/2020
From buying a PDF sewing pattern to saving and printing it, it’s a new world of sewing. The sewing pattern industry is digital! The movement toward digital sewing patterns isn’t letting up. There are a lot of reasons why this is, but the benefits are many!
Instant access - the pattern is in your in-box in 30 seconds from your order completion
You can print multiple copies or sizes - this is essential when doing fitting and pattern alterations for design modifications. It’s also crucial in working with knit fabrics which can vary sizing based on what type of knit you’re sewing with, today, versus the last time you sewed the exact same pattern.
Easier to store - if you have not yet printed a pattern, you can store it without taking up space in your sewing room, or basement.
But we know that if you’ve not worked with digital patterns before, it might be a learning curve. Here are a few videos to help. You’ll get your sewing pattern two ways: When you complete your order, it will pop up on the screen to download to your device AND you’ll get an e-mail notification.
NOTE: You have 24 hours to download this file. You can request additional access by emailing us at orders@cjpatterns.com if you forget to download it and need the links refreshed.
From a Computer
A tutorial showing how to download, save, and send a digital sewing pattern PDF for large format printing or printing at home.
From an iPad/iPhone
Easy tutorial on saving a PDF sewing pattern to an iPad or iPhone.
Printing Pattern Downloads
Print at Home vs Copy Shop
We have put together a guide to help cover the most frequently asked questions on printing pattern files. We worked together with customers and print shops to get a better understanding of how we can spend more time sewing and less time on troubleshooting.
All patterns have instructions, sizing charts, layout diagrams and yardage charts just like a printed pattern envelope. Printing these is optional, many people prefer to view them in digital form for clearer pictures and zooming/text enlargement options.
Print at Home
U.S. Customers: Print at home patterns are designed to print on 8.5” x 11” letter sized paper. Only the tiled pages need to be printed and then taped together. Important: When printing at home print just the page with the scale box (1” or 2”) for accuracy before printing all pages. Having this scale box correct is more important than measuring the margins on the printed pages.
International Customers: Patterns can also be printed on A4 as long as the printer margins are less than 13 mm. Be sure that “Fit to Page” is not selected and that page is centered. Check the scale box for accuracy before printing all pages.
NOTE: The margin on the tiled pages will not measure 3/8” on the sides of A4 paper.
Copy Shop Printing
NOTE: Not all of our downloadable patterns are available in Copy Shop print format.
This file format is intended to be sent or taken to a printer. The length differs for each pattern but all copy shop files are intended to print on 36” wide paper. Most of the patterns are a single sheet, with the exception of the Studio Collection Draped Vest & Jacket (each of the 2 sizes is a single sheet).
You will need to know the length of each pattern when sending it for printing (width is 36” for all). Many printers will have pre-sized paper options for printing, select the first length greater than the pattern length. (Do not choose a length shorter than the full pattern size.)
We have had positive reviews from customers on printing patterns at www.pdfplotting.com and recommend giving them a try. I spoke with a gentleman at the company who was extremely helpful in putting this guide together. Please see the example print size selections for each of the patterns below.
