How to Print Your PDF Sewing Pattern

This guide shows you how to print and assemble your PDF sewing pattern correctly.

Whether you are printing at home on A4 or A3, or sending your A0 file to a copy shop such as Officeworks, these steps will help you print at the correct scale and assemble your pattern with confidence.

If you prefer to watch the process, video tutorials are linked throughout this page.

Before You Start

Before printing your pattern:

• Download the pattern to your computer or device
• Open the file in a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat
• Check which format you want to use:
  • A4 / Letter
  • A3
  • A0
  • Projector

Print at Home (A4 or A3)

Step 1: Choose the Correct Print Settings

When printing at home:

• Select Actual Size or 100%
• Do not select Fit to Page
• Print the correct file for your paper size

This helps ensure the pattern prints to scale.

Step 2: Check the Test Square

Each pattern includes a test square.

After printing:

• Measure the square
• Confirm it matches the size shown on the page

Do not continue until the scale is correct.

Step 3: Print Only the Pages You Need

Your pattern will tell you which pages to print for each format.

For layered patterns, you may wish to turn off the sizes you do not need before printing.

Watch: How to Turn Layers On and Off in a PDF Sewing Pattern

How to Assemble an A4 Pattern

Once your A4 pages are printed:

• Lay them out in order
• Match page numbers and alignment markers
• Tape them together row by row

Watch: How to Assemble an A4 Pattern

Print at a Copy Shop (A0)

A0 is a good option if you want to avoid taping pages together.

Printing at Officeworks

To print an A0 file at Officeworks:

• Go to Print & Copy
• Choose Plans
• Select A0 as the finished size
• Upload your downloaded A0 pattern file
• Review the preview before continuing

Watch: How to Print A0 PDF at Officeworks

A Note on Colour vs Black and White Printing

You can print many patterns in black and white, especially if the different sizes use different line styles.

Colour can be useful when:

• multiple sizes overlap heavily
• you want the lines easier to follow

If Your Pattern Includes Layers

Many Jane Harbison Design patterns include layered PDF files.

This means you can:

• turn sizes on and off
• reduce visual clutter before printing
• print only the size you want to use

In Adobe Acrobat, open the layers panel using the stacked-paper icon, then hide the sizes you do not need. Keep the grid and legend visible so you can print and assemble correctly.

Watch: How to Turn Layers On and Off in a PDF Sewing Pattern

Check Before You Cut

Before cutting into your printed pattern, make sure:

• The test square is correct
• The pages are assembled in the correct order
• The assembled layout matches the reference image in your pattern
• You have the correct size visible
• The grainlines and piece edges look continuous across joins

Need More Help?

• How to Choose Your Size
• Finished Garment Measurements Guide
• Sewing Pattern Terminology Guide