Thank you so much for explaining this. I am so used to the old style tissue printed version that I have never gone down the PDF route. You explanation has made it so much easier to get back into sewing now.
I've just been watching this video and once again I'm completely baffled as to why many people today prefer pdfs rather than the traditional tissue patterns that the commercial companies produce. I'm 74 but this really isn't a case of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". I've embraced change in many areas of my life when I can see that some things can be done easier or quicker or cheaper but a pdf is not one of them. I started sewing when I was in junior school and started using dress patterns in my early teens. Then, you went to a fabric shop, chose your pattern from a catalogue - the shop always kept a stock of all patterns in all the sizes, you bought both, went home and started cutting out and making your garment. A pdf is definitely a much longer process. You order your pattern online and choose whether to have it in A4 or AO format. If the former, you get an email immediately. Then you have to do a test print to ensure it will print to an accurate size. Then you have to print all the pages which can be as many as 80 or more . You are paying for all this paper and the ink on top of what is always a more expensive pattern than a commercial one. You then have to cut strips off the photocopies, place the copies in order and tape them all together. Then you have to trace them on to suitable tracing paper and whatever you choose to use it's more expense. Tracing in my experience is fraught with difficulty because the line you're trying follow is criss-crossing many other lines in places. Finally you can place your pattern on your fabric and start cutting out. You can eliminate some of the earlier steps by ordering an AO copy but that of course comes at a cost. I recently made a simple top that comprised 6 pieces and it took me 2 hours to trace it because of the aforementioned difficulties. No doubt I will become much quicker with practice but I expect it'll still be 45 minutes to an hour, or more if the garment has more pattern pieces . This is not quicker than the traditional tissue paper patterns and it's far more expensive. The only advantage I can see is the facility to retrace the pattern if you want to make a different size. If it wasn't for the styles you can buy from the indies I really wouldn't bother. I'm not a traditional older woman and although I wouldn't dress as if I'm still 18 I don't want to dress like an old woman either. So I will continue to use pdf patterns but that doesn't mean I'll ever like the expense and faffing about that is involved with them.
Thank you for this indepth information on pdfs.I haven't used them as I like original printed patterns and their art work.A lot of indie companies seem to be using PDF only and I find this frustrating.I don't know if it's down to cost but I wish there was a way out of this. The other reason I haven't used PDF is because I didn't understand it.I have only basic computer skills and it totally confused me when I saw a pattern that I wanted but could only buy in pdf.Thanks to this vlog I now understand it and would try PDF in future,especially ordering that a0 copies through you.Thank you,
I use your print service regularly Lauren, I could pop in but get them delivered, lol. I trace mine, store in folders, and print the instructions myself. I love the Pinterest idea, I will definitely be doing that. I hope to pop in more in the new year when life is a little less hectic. X
I have over 100 pdf pattern files and like the instant gratification of receiving the files, I also am pretty adept at cutting, sticking & cutting but my problem is the storage of larger patterns - which don’t fit comfortably in a large file/folder so I bin them. The BHL has so many large pieces for eg! Recently I’ve started to trace them onto tissue paper which is an extra step but now they fit nicely into an A0 envelope and I stick a pic on the front of the envelope. Thanks for this video - very helpful x
Hi Lauren, thank you for sharing your information re PDF sewing patterns. I’ve been using them for a little while and although sometimes the pages don’t always line up, I can pretty much manage to have something taped together as near as possible. Some of my PDF patterns are too small for A4 plastic pockets so I bought some A3 ones as another person on UA-cam suggested them as she uses them too. Devon thread tales is the person. I find them great but obviously you have to factor where to store such large plastic pockets, which I don’t have loads of room but I manage. It’s great you now print patterns though. Thanks again. X
Thank you so much, I have ordered 2 PDF patterns so far thinking that I would find out how to print them at a later date but have found the instructions so completely confusing until now. Thank you.
Ellie from @sewingforswing on Instagram created a pattern for an envelope that you can make out of scrapbook or other sturdy paper. That can help store PDFs as well. I purchased an artist portfolio with a zipper (with a discount coupon of course). I'm able to store pattern pieces a little bit flatter in there and hide the portfolio between a coupon of pieces of furniture if necessary in a small space. I separate the different patterns within the portfolio with a 5 inch strip of poster board and I label the top of strip. Hope I make sense. Thanks for this over view of PDFs.
Love the Pinterest board idea! I still prefer printed patterns but I probably have 4 times more PDF than printed - just because of the variety available.
Thank you for your explanation. I mostly use ready-made patterns or magazines. Printing and pasting myself is not my thing. I really don't like it, sorry! If you can have them printed on A3 paper, I will still consider this if I really like the pattern and cannot find an alternative. But this rarely happens. It is a pity that a lot of nice patterns are often only sold as PDF patterns. Fortunately, there is still plenty of choices in ready-made patterns and magazines. Sorry older generation here😊😉
I'm just returning to sewing after 40 years away (though I was once very accomplished), and how things have changed! I really enjoy your videos, Lauren. I've also been watching the Atelier Saison channel, and learning a lot from how things are done in a high end Tokyo custom-made factory. The classic shirt videos there (ua-cam.com/video/GG10V51uJf4/v-deo.html) demonstrate the advantages of heavier weight pattern paper. Take a look to see how the pattern can actually become a tool throughout the sewing process. I think I'm going to like this!
hi found this helpful, but would have been better if you could show us start to finish with the computer in front of you, as i got lossed half half way though. Susan Peach.
Thank you so much for explaining this. I am so used to the old style tissue printed version that I have never gone down the PDF route. You explanation has made it so much easier to get back into sewing now.
Thanks for all of your super videos and tips. Love watching them and as a scot living in Austria I just love hearing your accent.😊
I've just been watching this video and once again I'm completely baffled as to why many people today prefer pdfs rather than the traditional tissue patterns that the commercial companies produce. I'm 74 but this really isn't a case of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". I've embraced change in many areas of my life when I can see that some things can be done easier or quicker or cheaper but a pdf is not one of them. I started sewing when I was in junior school and started using dress patterns in my early teens. Then, you went to a fabric shop, chose your pattern from a catalogue - the shop always kept a stock of all patterns in all the sizes, you bought both, went home and started cutting out and making your garment. A pdf is definitely a much longer process. You order your pattern online and choose whether to have it in A4 or AO format. If the former, you get an email immediately. Then you have to do a test print to ensure it will print to an accurate size. Then you have to print all the pages which can be as many as 80 or more . You are paying for all this paper and the ink on top of what is always a more expensive pattern than a commercial one. You then have to cut strips off the photocopies, place the copies in order and tape them all together. Then you have to trace them on to suitable tracing paper and whatever you choose to use it's more expense. Tracing in my experience is fraught with difficulty because the line you're trying follow is criss-crossing many other lines in places. Finally you can place your pattern on your fabric and start cutting out. You can eliminate some of the earlier steps by ordering an AO copy but that of course comes at a cost. I recently made a simple top that comprised 6 pieces and it took me 2 hours to trace it because of the aforementioned difficulties. No doubt I will become much quicker with practice but I expect it'll still be 45 minutes to an hour, or more if the garment has more pattern pieces . This is not quicker than the traditional tissue paper patterns and it's far more expensive. The only advantage I can see is the facility to retrace the pattern if you want to make a different size. If it wasn't for the styles you can buy from the indies I really wouldn't bother. I'm not a traditional older woman and although I wouldn't dress as if I'm still 18 I don't want to dress like an old woman either. So I will continue to use pdf patterns but that doesn't mean I'll ever like the expense and faffing about that is involved with them.
Thank you for this indepth information on pdfs.I haven't used them as I like original printed patterns and their art work.A lot of indie companies seem to be using PDF only and I find this frustrating.I don't know if it's down to cost but I wish there was a way out of this. The other reason I haven't used PDF is because I didn't understand it.I have only basic computer skills and it totally confused me when I saw a pattern that I wanted but could only buy in pdf.Thanks to this vlog I now understand it and would try PDF in future,especially ordering that a0 copies through you.Thank you,
I use your print service regularly Lauren, I could pop in but get them delivered, lol. I trace mine, store in folders, and print the instructions myself. I love the Pinterest idea, I will definitely be doing that. I hope to pop in more in the new year when life is a little less hectic. X
I have over 100 pdf pattern files and like the instant gratification of receiving the files, I also am pretty adept at cutting, sticking & cutting but my problem is the storage of larger patterns - which don’t fit comfortably in a large file/folder so I bin them. The BHL has so many large pieces for eg! Recently I’ve started to trace them onto tissue paper which is an extra step but now they fit nicely into an A0 envelope and I stick a pic on the front of the envelope. Thanks for this video - very helpful x
Hi Lauren, thank you for sharing your information re PDF sewing patterns. I’ve been using them for a little while and although sometimes the pages don’t always line up, I can pretty much manage to have something taped together as near as possible. Some of my PDF patterns are too small for A4 plastic pockets so I bought some A3 ones as another person on UA-cam suggested them as she uses them too. Devon thread tales is the person. I find them great but obviously you have to factor where to store such large plastic pockets, which I don’t have loads of room but I manage. It’s great you now print patterns though. Thanks again. X
Thank you so much, I have ordered 2 PDF patterns so far thinking that I would find out how to print them at a later date but have found the instructions so completely confusing until now. Thank you.
Great explanations as usual!
Ellie from @sewingforswing on Instagram created a pattern for an envelope that you can make out of scrapbook or other sturdy paper. That can help store PDFs as well. I purchased an artist portfolio with a zipper (with a discount coupon of course). I'm able to store pattern pieces a little bit flatter in there and hide the portfolio between a coupon of pieces of furniture if necessary in a small space. I separate the different patterns within the portfolio with a 5 inch strip of poster board and I label the top of strip. Hope I make sense. Thanks for this over view of PDFs.
Artists portfolios are a brilliant idea, I have several that aren’t being used so much anymore!
Love the Pinterest board idea! I still prefer printed patterns but I probably have 4 times more PDF than printed - just because of the variety available.
Pinterest is a genius idea! Thank you!
Thank you for your explanation.
I mostly use ready-made patterns or magazines. Printing and pasting myself is not my thing. I really don't like it, sorry! If you can have them printed on A3 paper, I will still consider this if I really like the pattern and cannot find an alternative. But this rarely happens. It is a pity that a lot of nice patterns are often only sold as PDF patterns. Fortunately, there is still plenty of choices in ready-made patterns and magazines.
Sorry older generation here😊😉
I’m with you all the way on this - perhaps this post will change my mind. We’ll see…
No, not convinced. Bit disappointed with this post.
The top you are wearing is stunning 👌🏽❤️
I'm just returning to sewing after 40 years away (though I was once very accomplished), and how things have changed! I really enjoy your videos, Lauren. I've also been watching the Atelier Saison channel, and learning a lot from how things are done in a high end Tokyo custom-made factory. The classic shirt videos there (ua-cam.com/video/GG10V51uJf4/v-deo.html) demonstrate the advantages of heavier weight pattern paper. Take a look to see how the pattern can actually become a tool throughout the sewing process. I think I'm going to like this!
Thank you so much for this video, ie's so helpful. Did you make your top? what is name of it? it's so pretty.
hi found this helpful, but would have been better if you could show us start to finish with the computer in front of you, as i got lossed half half way though. Susan Peach.