Understanding PDF Pattern Layers
This blog post shows you how to access size layers in our older patterns, where the pattern pages are located at the back of the tutorial.
For instructions on accessing size layers in the latest version of Adobe Reader and our patterns from 2019 onward, or if you're unable to find the layers button in the new Adobe Reader, please go here.
WHAT ARE LAYERS USED FOR IN SEWING PATTERNS?
Think of layers as transparent pieces of paper stacked one on top of the other. And each layer contains a size.
With layers, you can add or remove any size you like, printing all sizes or just 1 or 2. It's up to you.
At this stage only a select number of our patterns have layers. However, we are working very hard behind the scenes to convert all of our patterns to layers.
HOW TO USE PDF PATTERN LAYERS
If a pdf pattern is designed with layers, when you open it in Adobe Reader, you can uncheck the ‘eye’ icon to turn on/off layers : hiding the sizes you’re not making.
Below I outline exactly how to do that.
STEP 1:
Open the pattern in Adobe Reader.
If you don’t have it, download it here. It’s free.
STEP 2:
On the left hand side of the page, look for this symbol & click on it.
A panel will open out.
STEP 3:
Click on the arrow > sitting just to the left of the patterns file name.
You will now see several rows with 'eyes'.
These eyes are the layers. There's one size to each layer.
Here is a close up.
STEP 4:
Uncheck the ‘eye’ icon to turn off layers : hiding the sizes you’re not making.
Click on a few & sew what happens to the pattern lines.
Here I've turned off all sizes except 7 & 8.
You may notice that some layers are locked. These layers generally contain information that applies to all sizes such as pattern name & number, grainlines & cutting information.
STEP 5:
In each pattern you will find a guide outlining what pages to print for the style and size you want to make.
Print the pages required.
Remember to print actual size with no scaling.
