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Practical PDF Sewing Patterns

in Beginners· Blogs by Olivia· Free Downloads· Learn to Sew· New to PDF Patterns· Sewing

Why you need to start using PDF patterns for sewing!

PDF patterns are a godsend for sewers. They allow you to print out a sewing pattern and use it to sew a project all within a short span of time. They may seem complicated and difficult to prepare at first, but this blog post will outline why they are a must have in your sewing process.

A little bit about PDF patterns

A PDF pattern isn’t as out there as you may think, they are, put simply, just a digital version of a printed pattern. You can find PDF patterns online on any sewing website (or similar). They are downloadable and you can save them on to your computer and print them off on regular printing paper using your household printer. If it is a large print, all you need to do is sticky tape them together! This means that through using PDF patterns you will be able to find a pattern you love and begin working on it the exact same day. This saves you from the days of waiting to get a printed pattern.

Why are PDF patterns so great?

Instant sewing

The main benefit to PDF patterns for most sewers is the fact that they can begin sewing as soon as they find a pattern they like. This also saves money as there are many free downloadable PDF patterns and shipping is no longer a cost that you need to factor in. This way, people like us can hold on to that excitement we feel when we find the perfect pattern. This will allow for the initial excitement to last all the way up to the commencement of sewing!

Accessibility

Using a PDF pattern will also mean that you will be able to find, and use, unique patterns from all around the world. There are so many small stores on the internet who sell great PDF patterns that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. This will mean that you will be able to sew unique designs without the fear of running into someone with the same piece whilst being proud of the individuality of your creation. Small stores are also great at producing patterns which cater for a range of different body shapes and sizes, meaning that you will be able to create a well fitting piece without having to make your own adjustments. Overall, the accessibility of PDF patterns brings so many great benefits that will allow you to create your perfect piece.

How to use a PDF sewing pattern

Downloading the pattern

The first thing you need to do when using a PDF pattern is to find one that you love. PDF patterns are all over the internet so spend time browsing to find one you really love. Once you’ve done this, purchase the pattern and download it as a PDF file on your computer. Once you have downloaded your pattern, you will have to locate the file to use it. You will be able to find it in the recent downloads section of your computer.

Printing the pattern

Once you have opened your file, you then have to print out your pattern. All this requires is printing out the sheets you have downloaded with your home printer (if you have one). When printing, you must ensure that the scale is set to 100% so the pattern is printed ‘to scale.’ If you don’t have a home printer, you can take these PDFs on a USB to a printing store such as Office-works and receive your pattern like this. The PDF pattern will be spread out over many different sheets, which, when printed can be put together and combined to create a large pattern.

Assembling the pattern

Most PDF patterns will have margins on each side of the PDF. In order to properly assemble the pattern, you must trim off the edges of each page. To save time, you can invest in a cutter which quickly cuts straight lines across pages, some will even allow you to cut through multiple pages at a time which is super handy!

Once you have trimmed the pattern pages down, you can start to assemble the pattern. The best thing to do is lay out the pattern flat first through discovering which pages fit next to one another. Patterns are generally number or letter coordinated, allowing you to easily locate the pages which fit next to one another. Once you have the pages properly laid out, tape or glue the pages together to ensure that they are being held in place properly.

The final step to assembly is to wait until the glue is dried (if you used glue) and cut out all of the pieces, just as you would for any other pattern.

The final step: sewing

Once all of the pieces have been cut out and assembled, the final step is to begin your sewing.. the most exciting part! There is nothing complex about this step if you’re a regular sewer, you treat these PDF patterns as any other pattern.

Trying out PDF patterns is essential for every sewer. Here at Flosstyle, we deem PDF patterns to be life-changing. Not only do they come with so many benefits, but they are also so easy to use. Trust us when we tell you, PDF sewing patterns will undoubtedly change your life. Make sure to give PDF patterns a go, and let us know how you feel about them!

Happy sewing!

Olivia B

in Beginners· Blogs by Jess· New to PDF Patterns· Sewing

Sewing for mood, mental health and overall well-being

Now more than ever it is important to look after our mental and physical health. The COVID-19 global pandemic has had an unexpected impact on everyone’s lives, ranging from unemployment to being unable to travel to see loved ones interstate or overseas. In times of uncertainty and stress, sewing is something that has always been there to help me unwind, destress and relax.

Sewing has a number of benefits, one of the most important benefits of sewing is the impact it has on mental health and well-being. Read our Why you should start using PDF sewing patterns now blog post to learn about all the benefits of using PDF sewing patterns and visit our shop to find your next project. 

Sewing is mindful
In the field of psychology, dopamine is known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Undertaking activities that boost dopamine in the brain can lead to living a more mindful and happy lifestyle. Activities that require focus, motivation, attention and learning have been proven to release dopamine in the brain. This means that sewing is basically a dopamine feel-good fest for our brains, which is why we always feel so good after a sewing session!

Not only does sewing boost dopamine activity in our brain, it has also been proven to elicit a calming effect on our bodies and our minds. We all lead such busy and stressful lives, and the importance of calmness is often forgotten and set aside. The art of sewing allows us to totally zone out and distract ourselves from negative thoughts and the day-to-day pressures we face. The ability to be calm and the practice of mindfulness improves emotional regulation and well-being. 

Sewing is an outlet that allows us to focus our energy into something positive and creative. Without realising, the process of sewing can actually be meditative: you focus solely on your project at hand and allow your creativity to spark and take over completely. Sewing can make us more mindful in our day-to-day lives without us even realising. It is so important for us to take time out for ourselves and pay attention to our thoughts and feelings, and sitting down with a cup of tea and your sewing machine is the perfect way to do this. 

I think we can all agree that when a friend (or even better, a complete stranger) compliments us on a piece of clothing that we’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to creating is one of the best feelings ever! Even the process of choosing a pattern and picking out a cute fabric can boost our self-esteem, and the process of finalising the project can lead to a wonderful sense of accomplishment. So what I’m saying is… the entire process of sewing is basically the best thing ever to keep our minds happy and healthy! 

Sewing is social
While sewing is thought to be a mostly solitary activity, it has actually been proven to greatly enhance our social lives and expand our networks. 

Isolation and loneliness have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Feeling disconnected from those around us can lead to low energy, low motivation, problems with sleep, and even depressed moods. Having a hobby that helps you improve and strengthen your networks is invaluable for keeping your mind and body healthy. There are a number of sewing groups that meet up regularly, and even work on shared projects together. If you are interested in joining a sewing group, a great first step is to join the Flosstyle Fair facebook group. This group has over 8k members and is a great place to meet like minded people to get advice and discuss your sewing projects.

While the importance of having strong bonds and friendships is clear, sewing is also a great activity to do solo when you need some time and space away from everyone else.

Sewing is creative
Engaging in creativity has a positive impact on our well-being. The entire sewing journey engages our brains in creative thought. From researching different patterns to choosing seam finishes, our brains are focused, motivated and constantly learning.

On average, we have around 60,000 different thoughts in just one day: crazy right!? It’s no wonder that we can often feel weighed down and snowed under. Having a creative outlet like sewing allows us to channel our (60,000!) thoughts into one project: this has the same effect that meditation does on our brain. 

People who have been sewing for quite some time even have the ability to visualise how they will make something new, how they will fix a broken item, and how they will embellish a new project. Visualisation is a key component in keeping our minds active and leveraging off the new techniques and skills we learn as we progress in our sewing. This just further proves that having a creative outlet can improve our lives immensely. 

Sewing is therapeutic 

Not only does sewing have a positive impact on our mental health, it has also been found to impact our physical health too. 

Sewing greatly improves hand-eye coordination. For those who are new to sewing, it is clear that even threading the sewing machine can be quite fiddly and requires strict concentration. More seasoned sewers can thread a machine without blinking an eye, and can glide fabric through the machine seemingly without even paying attention. This is clear evidence of how sewing improves your hand-eye coordination the more you do it. Poor hand-eye coordination can impact every day activities such as writing, driving and exercise: this is why it’s so important to maintain strong hand-eye coordination (through sewing a super cute dress, just like our Flosstyle Lala dress pattern).

The entire process of sewing teaches us something new with each project we undertake: it is an ongoing learning journey. Constantly learning new skills and techniques keeps our brains engaged and active, which helps to prevent degenerative diseases and dementia. 

Following instructions and sticking to a clearly defined methodology allows us to keep our minds clear and focused. Give our Step by step guide blog post on how to download PDF sewing patterns a read to learn something new and boost your self esteem by creating a fabulous new creation.  

Adding even just 30 minutes of sewing to your daily routine can help you live a more mindful and healthy life. There aren’t many hobbies that are proven to improve your overall health while also giving you an opportunity to create your own clothing accessories and anything else you can imagine! Sewing is a great hobby for improving and enhancing our overall well-being (and that’s just one of the reasons why we think sewing is the absolute best!). 

Happy sewing! 
Jess

in Beginners· Free Downloads· How To· New to PDF Patterns· One Yard Tote

How to use PDF sewing patterns – everything you need to know to get downloading and sewing!

If you’ve always been interested in PDF sewing patterns and wanted to know how to use them, then this is the post for you.

Here at Flosstyle we understand that downloading and using PDF sewing patterns can be daunting for some. We are here to help alleviate your anxieties and to open up a brand new world of PDF sewing patterns to you. Our blogpost “Why you should start using PDF sewing patterns now” is a must read if you’re still not quite convinced or want to learn more about the world of PDF Patterns.

We promise that you don’t have to be tech savvy to find and download amazing and creative PDF sewing patterns. Our step-by-step guide below is super easy to follow and will have you downloading PDF patterns in no time.

Step 1 

The first step to using a PDF pattern is finding the perfect pattern. If you’ve never used a PDF pattern before, we suggest trialing one of our free patterns. This post will demonstrate downloading the One Yard Tote pattern (and it will demonstrate how easy it is!). To fully get your head around PDF patterns, why not follow along with this post and download our One Yard Tote PDF pattern too. 

The One Yard Tote is a brilliant first PDF sewing pattern for you to download, assemble and sew. It’s free, it’s cute, and it’s even reversible! The One Yard Tote is perfect for carrying your groceries, books, laptop, craft items and even your swimmers for the beach. This is the perfect bag to accompany you to school, university or work as it’s perfectly sized for A4 folders and documents. All you need to create this versatile and useful bag is one yard of fabric and 2.25m of binding bias (yes that’s seriously it!).

Step 2

The second step is to download the pattern. Click on the image above and you will be linked directly to the one yard tote bag.

All you need to do is click on “add to cart”. Now click on the “view cart” button and you will see your one yard tote bag pattern in your cart. 

Next you will need to fill in some of your details and you will be able to download the pattern. 

Ta-da! The One Yard Tote PDF sewing pattern is now yours!

Step 3

The third step is something that a lot of people forget. Make sure you save your newly downloaded PDF pattern to your computer in a place that will be easy for you to find again in the future. We suggest you make a dedicated folder to save your PDF patterns in. Once you get a collection of patterns, you can create sub-folders for different types of patterns such as “dresses”, “accessories”, “toys”, and more. 

Your downloaded item will be one PDF document. This document will include clear instructions as well as the pattern itself.

Step 4 

Now that you have the PDF pattern downloaded and saved, the fourth step is to print the pattern. Our patterns provide very direct and specific advice on printing. To ensure your pattern is printed correctly please follow the instructions clearly. The most important rule to follow when printing PDF patterns is NOT to scale the print. Have a look at the image below, to see the settings we used. We kept the scaling option as “actual size”. (Depending on your printer this might also be “default” “no scaling” “100%”)

If you’re running low on ink or paper, you also have the option to print only the necessary pages (e.g. in the One Yard Tote pattern, you only need to print pages 4-6). You can keep the instructions pages open on your computer or ipad while you’re assembling the pattern and sewing.

If you don’t have access to a printer, that’s totally ok! You can ask your local print and copy shop to print off your pattern for a small fee. Officeworks charge around 10 cents for each page of printing. The One Yard Tote is a 6 page PDF, so it could cost you less than a dollar to print.

All Flosstyle patterns come with a test page to ensure the pattern has been printed correctly. Please ensure you take the time to measure the test square before you get started on the next step.

Step 5

The fifth step is to assemble the pattern. This is one of my favourite parts of the process. I love to have music playing in the background while I get completely stuck into my project (and yes before you ask, dance breaks are totally encouraged!).  

Cut the pieces out and sticky tape or glue them together. Flosstyle patterns provide clear instruction and direction so you will have no issues with knowing where to cut and where to stick the pages together. 

Step 6 

That’s it! Now it’s time to get sewing. We hope this guide has been useful and helped you feel more confident in your ability to download and assemble a PDF pattern. Don’t forget that one of the best things about PDF patterns is that you can print out as many copies of the pattern you need if you make any mistakes. 

Before you start sewing you might want to check out our One Yard Tote Timelapse Video showing how the tote is sewn together. For inspiration you can find all our blog posts about the One Yard Tote here.

We would love to see your Flosstyle creation! Join our facebook group, Flosstyle Fair and share your creations with us there. Our facebook group has over 8000 members who have a wealth of knowledge on using PDF sewing patterns and would be more than happy to help you out and answer any questions you might have. You can also share your creations on instagram with the hashtag #flosstyleoneyardtote for a chance to be featured on our page.

Happy Downloading and Sewing

Jess