How to Print Large PDF Sewing Patterns Without the Hassle

Gone are the days when you had to drive to a fabric store to buy patterns. Digital sewing patterns have become a BIG business, and there are now hundreds of indie designers to choose from. I love that you can find modern designs for practically anything you want to sew and you're no longer limited to just Simplicity, McCall's, Butterick, and Vogue.

The only real downside to digital patterns is the printing process. You have to print everything on 8.5"x11" paper and tape dozens of pages together before you can even start cutting. Some PDF patterns are 60+ pages long, and all that printing, taping, and cutting can take just as long as the actual sewing!

I usually don't mind too much because I sew a lot of children's clothing and the patterns are relatively small. But when I made the Marsha Wrap Dress from Rad Patterns, the taping process nearly did me in. That pattern was 77 pages long! (Totally worth it for the dress, but still.) The bodice is fully lined and the skirt is practically a circle skirt, so the sheer size of the pattern pieces makes sense. It is just a LOT of paper.

Some people have gotten so fed up with printing PDF patterns that they've switched to using projectors instead. That's a great option if you do a lot of sewing!

A Better Way to Print Large PDF Sewing Patterns

Most pattern companies now include an AO format file (36"x48") along with the standard PDF. You can take that file to a local copy shop and have your entire pattern printed on one large piece of paper, just like a traditional commercial pattern. The cost varies widely from shop to shop, so always get a quote first.

Recently I stumbled onto a website that specializes specifically in printing digital sewing patterns: PDFplotting.com. (I am not an affiliate, just a happy customer.) Here's how it works: you upload your pattern file, choose your paper size, pay a fee, and they print and mail your pattern to you in a tube so it arrives crease-free. Then all you have to do is cut it out and use it.

Is PDFplotting.com Worth It?

Yes, with one caveat: it's really only worth the cost if you print three or more patterns at a time. There's a minimum order surcharge, so the math works best in batches. The printing itself is cheap ($2 to $3 per page), but you have to spend at least $10 and pay for shipping.

I've used PDFplotting.com a few times now and I've been happy with the service. The patterns arrive rolled in a tube, they're easy to cut out, and the whole process feels a lot more like working with a traditional pattern than the tape-and-assemble method.

One thing to keep in mind: if you want to start a project right away, you're better off printing at home or running to a local copy shop. PDFplotting.com takes a few days to ship, so it's better for planning ahead than for spontaneous sewing sessions.

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If the printing hassle has been the reason you haven't tried indie sewing patterns yet, I hope this helps! Digital patterns are so worth it once you figure out a printing system that works for you.

Check out the Massive List of Indie Pattern Companies. You don't know what you're missing!

Related reading: 5 Reasons Every Sewist Should Try PDF Patterns