Printing & Projector Guide

A clear start for your sewing pattern: choose your file, select the layers, and check the scale before cutting.

Always follow the format information, instructions, and Page Assembly Layout supplied with your pattern.

Files & Printing

Download the complete PDF files to your computer before opening them. Do not print directly from a browser, email attachment or cloud preview.

For reliable access to the pattern layers, open the downloaded file in the current desktop version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Other PDF applications may display or print layers differently.

Choose the Correct File

  • A4 Print at Home: for A4 paper measuring 210 × 297 mm.
  • US Letter Print at Home: for paper measuring 8.5 × 11 in.
  • A0 Copyshop: for metric large-format printing using the original A0 page size stated in the file.
  • US Copyshop: for large-format printing on 36 × 48 in pages.
  • Projector: for a calibrated sewing-projector setup.

Do not resize one format to imitate another. Use the page count and format information shown in the actual PDF supplied with your pattern.

Choose Your PDF Layers

Download the PDF and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. Follow the guide supplied with the file you are using.

BRIGITTE: English and German in One PDF

Each BRIGITTE pattern PDF contains English and German in the same file: A4, US Letter, A0, US Copyshop, and Projector. Choose English / Englisch or Deutsch / German in the Layers panel. This switches the pattern-piece wording and the language-dependent information. The pattern geometry stays the same, and EU and US sizes are shown in both languages.

Language + seam-allowance option → size or sizes

  1. Open the Layers panel and select one language.
  2. Select either WITH SEAM ALLOWANCE / MIT NAHTZUGABE or WITHOUT SEAM ALLOWANCE / OHNE NAHTZUGABE. Keep only one of these branches visible.
  3. Within that branch, show your chosen size and hide the sizes you do not need. Sizes from EU 32 / US 0 / UK 4 to EU 50 / US 18 / UK 22 can be switched independently.
  4. Keep more than one size visible if you need to blend between sizes.
  5. Check the information pages and several pattern pages before printing.

All required pattern pieces, wording, and markings are included in your selected view.

The opening view is English, With Seam Allowance, and all sizes. RESET TO START VIEW restores this view and returns to the first page, even after you have used the German view.

Seam-Allowance Information

  • With Seam Allowance: Check the allowances stated in the file and Sewing Instructions before cutting.
  • Without Seam Allowance: Add the seam and hem allowances specified in the Sewing Instructions to every required edge before cutting.

Follow the Correct Size Line

Each size is identified by a combination of color and line pattern. Follow this combination continuously around the complete pattern piece. At intersections and shared line sections, check the size key before continuing.

When printing in black and white, identify your size by its line pattern. Color must never be the only identifying feature.

  • Select the exact paper size stated for the file.
  • Print at 100% / Actual Size.
  • Turn off Fit, Fit to Page, Shrink, Expand, Scale to Fit, Resize and automatic scaling.
  • Print single-sided.
  • Print the page containing the control square first.
  • Measure the printed square in both directions with a physical ruler.
  • Continue only if the measurement is exact.

The on-screen preview is not a reliable scale test.

A4 Print at Home

  1. Select A4 / 210 × 297 mm paper.
  2. In the new BRIGITTE A4 PDF, select your language, one seam-allowance branch, and your size or sizes within that branch.
  3. Print at 100% / Actual Size, single-sided and without scaling.
  4. Print the control-square page first and measure the square in both directions. The new BRIGITTE A4 PDF uses a 10 × 10 cm square in both languages.
  5. Print the remaining required pages only after the square is correct.
  6. Assemble the pages using the No-Trim method below and the Page Assembly Layout, page codes, printed guides and matching marks included in the PDF.

You do not need to create a separate single-size PDF. Keep only the required layers visible and print directly to your physical printer.

US Letter Print at Home

  1. Select US Letter / Letter (8.5 × 11 in) and Portrait.
  2. Do not select Legal, Tabloid, Envelope or any other paper size.
  3. Select the required size and seam-allowance option.
  4. Print at 100% / Actual Size, single-sided and without scaling.
  5. Do not select Fit to Page, Fit, Shrink, Expand, Auto Rotate or a custom scale.
  6. Print and measure the control-square page first.
  7. Print the remaining required pages only after the square is correct.
  8. Assemble the pages using the No-Trim method below and the Page Assembly Layout, page codes, printed guides and matching marks included in the PDF.

You do not need to create a separate single-size PDF. Keep only the required layers visible and print directly to your physical printer.

No-Trim Page Assembly

No trimming is required. Arrange the sheets by page code and follow the Page Assembly Layout in the selected PDF. Build each row from left to right, then join the completed rows from top to bottom.

  1. Keep the sheets square. Make sure the paper feeds straight through the printer. A sheet that enters even slightly skewed can make the joins harder to align.
  2. Align before taping. Place each next sheet over the previous sheet as shown by the printed guides. Match the page codes, matching marks and all continuing pattern lines before taping.
  3. Use light for the final check. If a continuation line is difficult to see through the overlap, hold the joined pages against a window or lightbox and align the marks and pattern lines through the paper. Tape only after they are exactly aligned.

Why a line may look interrupted at the paper edge

Most home printers cannot print to the physical edge of the paper and may leave an unprinted margin—often around 5 mm / approx. 3/16 in, depending on the printer and settings. A line that reaches this margin may therefore appear interrupted at the edge of one sheet. This edge interruption alone does not mean that the pattern is missing or incorrectly scaled; the overlapping alignment marks and continuation lines on the adjoining sheet must still match.

The control square remains the scale check. Measure the stated reference distance in both directions. If the complete reference cannot be seen or measured clearly, or the measurement is not exact, stop and reprint before assembling or cutting.

Printing on Your Own Large-Format Printer or Plotter

If you have a compatible large-format printer or plotter, open the original A0 or US Copyshop PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and select the required layers.

Print directly at 100% / Actual Size, single-sided and using the exact original page size. Do not fit, shrink, scale, tile or resize the pattern. Measure the control square before cutting.

No separate single-size PDF is required when the selected layers can be printed directly to your plotter.

A0 Copyshop Printing

Send the original layered A0 PDF to a print service that supports PDF layers. Tell the print service exactly which size and seam-allowance option you need. Ask them to preserve the original A0 page size stated in the file and to print every original page at 100% / Actual Size.

My recommendation for A0 printing

For A0 pattern printing with delivery within Germany, I recommend Die Plotterei with folded delivery. Black-and-white and color printing are available. Choose the folded option yourself on the provider’s website, where you can also check current printing and shipping prices.

5% off at Die Plotterei: BARBARA2026
Enter the code when placing your order on Die Plotterei’s website.

Visit Die Plotterei

Important: Die Plotterei does not select PDF layers for you. To print only your chosen size, prepare a verified, flattened single-size PDF before uploading it. Keep the original layered file. Follow the single-size PDF instructions below.

US Copyshop Printing

Send the original layered US Copyshop PDF to a print service that supports PDF layers. Tell the print service exactly which size and seam-allowance option you need. Ask them to preserve the original 36 × 48 in page size and to print every original page at 100% / Actual Size.

Copyshop Request Template

Use the layer names shown in your file. If its labels or seam-allowance options are named differently, adapt the request accordingly and confirm the selected view with the print service.

Please open the attached layered sewing-pattern PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Using the layer options provided in this file, select [SIZE] and [WITH SEAM ALLOWANCE / WITHOUT SEAM ALLOWANCE]. Hide the other sizes and the other seam-allowance option. Keep all required pattern pieces, labels, and construction markings visible. Print all original pages single-sided at 100% / Actual Size. Preserve the original page size. Do not fit, shrink, scale, enlarge or resize the file. Please confirm that the control square prints at the stated measurement.

After receiving the print, measure the control square before cutting.

Optional: Create a Single-Size PDF

If your PDF software allows you to permanently combine the currently visible layers, you may create a separate single-size PDF and send that file to the print service. Keep the original layered PDF unchanged. Reopen the new file and check the original page size, pattern pieces, labels, markings and control square before sending it.

Adobe Acrobat Pro

If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro:

  1. Keep the original layered PDF unchanged and open a separate copy.
  2. Select your required size and one seam-allowance option using the controls in that file. If language layers are provided, select one language. Check that all required pattern pieces, labels, and markings are visible.
  3. Hide all other sizes and the other seam-allowance option.
  4. Choose Flatten Layers from the Layers panel options.
  5. Save the result under a new filename.
  6. Close and reopen the new PDF.
  7. Check the original page size, pattern pieces, labels, markings and control square.

Flattening permanently removes the hidden layer content from the newly saved copy. Always keep the original layered PDF for future sizes or seam-allowance options.

If the Copyshop Cannot Select Layers

Choose another layer-capable print service, provide a verified single-size PDF or ask the shop to print the default opening view.

Before choosing this route, check the actual opening view of your A0 or US Copyshop file: confirm its visible sizes, seam-allowance option, and all required pieces and markings with the print service.

If all sizes are printed, trace or cut your selected size by following its color and line pattern continuously around each pattern piece.

If you need Without Seam Allowance, use a layer-capable print service or a verified single-size PDF.

What Does "Trace the Pattern" Mean?

Place translucent pattern paper over the printed multi-size pattern and copy the complete line for your selected size. Transfer every required marking, including:

  • notches and match points;
  • grainlines;
  • Place on Fold lines;
  • piece names and piece numbers;
  • size and cutting information;
  • darts, drill marks and balance marks;
  • all other construction markings;
  • whether the traced pattern includes seam allowances.

Tracing preserves the original multi-size print and is recommended when several sizes overlap, when you may need another size later or when you are blending between sizes.

Cutting Directly from an All-Size Print

You may cut your size directly if you can follow the correct line continuously. Use both the color and line pattern shown in the size key. At intersections and shared line sections, stop and verify the continuation before cutting.

For black-and-white prints, follow the line pattern. If the lines are difficult to distinguish, trace the pattern instead.

Mac Users

For A4 or US Letter home printing on a Mac, select the sizes and required layers in Adobe Acrobat Reader and check the print preview before printing directly to your printer. You do not need to create a new PDF for this.

What if you cannot save a PDF containing only your selected size on your Mac? You can use the optional Adobe Acrobat Pro workflow, or send the original layered PDF to a copyshop that confirms it can select the layers for you.

If you would like to try another PDF utility app, first check whether it can create a PDF containing only your selected size and all required labels, while preserving the exact original page size and scale. Keep the original file, reopen the new PDF to check it, and measure the printed control square before cutting.

Before You Cut

Confirm that:

  • you opened the correct file format;
  • you selected the correct size or sizes;
  • you selected either With Seam Allowance or Without Seam Allowance;
  • all required pattern pieces, labels, and construction markings are visible;
  • you can follow the correct color and line pattern;
  • the paper size is correct;
  • no scaling or fitting is active;
  • the control square is exact in both directions;
  • all required construction markings have been transferred.

If any check fails, stop and correct the file or print settings before cutting fabric.

Can't create a single-size PDF?

You can send the original layered A0 or US Copyshop PDF to a print service that supports PDF layers. Tell them which EU size and seam-allowance option to print. Ask them to keep all required pattern pieces, labels, and construction markings visible, preserve the original page size, and print at 100% / Actual Size without fitting or resizing. Confirm that the service can select layers before placing your order, and check the printed control square before cutting. You do not need to create a separate single-size PDF for this route.

Using a Projector

Use the Projector file with a calibrated sewing-projector setup. Follow the Projector Quick Guide supplied with your pattern for calibration, layer selection, and the checks to complete before cutting.

Select the required size and seam-allowance option, and check that the required pattern pieces and labels are visible. The copyshop single-size PDF workflow is not a prerequisite for projector use.

I have tried Pattern Projector myself and can recommend it as an optional tool to help calibrate your sewing projector. This independent web app is not required to use my Projector files. Whichever method you choose, check the scale and alignment before cutting.

For Barbara’s personal experience with setup, cutting, and paper patterns, read Trying Projector Sewing Patterns in the Journal.

Need a Hand?

If the control square is not exact, pages do not align, or the required layers are missing, stop before cutting. Check the selected file format, paper size, visible layers, and scaling settings first.

If you still need help, contact the studio with your order number, file name, PDF software, selected paper size, and the printed control-square measurement. A screenshot of the settings can help. Please do not send passwords or payment details.

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