Printing your sewing pattern correctly is one of the most important steps before sewing.
Even a small printing difference can affect the final size of your project.
Always Print at 100%
When printing your pattern, select:
✅ Actual Size
✅ 100%
Do NOT use:
❌ Fit to Page
❌ Scale to Fit
These settings can slightly shrink or enlarge the pattern pieces.
Some printers automatically adjust the scale to values like 97% or 98%, so always double-check the final print settings before printing.
Check the Test Square
Most PDF sewing patterns include a small test square on the first page.
Usually:
- 1" × 1"
or - 1 cm × 1 cm
Measure it with a ruler after printing.
Use the Correct Paper Size
Many sewing patterns include:
- US Letter files
- A4 files
Always print the file that matches your paper size.
Using the wrong format can sometimes cause cut-off pages or alignment problems.
NOTE: Sewing Stroll patterns are usually provided in common home printer formats like US Letter and A4, with some patterns also including A0 or projector files depending on the project.
Beginner Tip
Before cutting fabric:
- check the printing scale
- measure the test square
- confirm the correct paper size
Most PDF sewing patterns also include both printable pattern pieces and a cutting measurement chart, so it’s a good idea to cross-check the sizes before cutting fabric.
Mobile devices sometimes don’t show the full printer settings correctly, so using a desktop or laptop is usually the safest option for printing PDF sewing patterns.
A few extra minutes of preparation can save a lot of frustration later ✨
