Drawing your pattern by hand (no printer)
Printing isn't the only way. For many models, I give you the dimensions and the instructions to draw your pattern straight onto paper — from your own measurements. Here's how it works, and how far it goes.
Not everyone has a printer to hand — and some sewists prefer to draw their pieces themselves: it uses less paper and teaches you a lot. So for many patterns I offer an alternative to the PDF: drawing instructions, piece by piece, with the dimensions already calculated to your measurements.
The principle: dimensions, not a printout
Instead of printing a life-size drawing, you get the recipe to reproduce it: 'draw a 22 × 8 cm rectangle', 'mark a point at 12 cm', 'join these two points'. Because the dimensions come from your measurements, the pattern you get is already in your size — exactly like the printed version.
What you'll need
- Large-format paper (kraft paper, a roll, or taped-together sheets).
- A long ruler or a set square (ideally 60 cm) for straight lines and right angles.
- A compass (or just a piece of string with a pencil) for the curves.
- A pencil, an eraser, and something to measure with.
The app lists this material in the project preparation, so you're never caught short.
Three levels of drawing
Not every piece is drawn with the same ease. I'll be honest with you, level by level:
Straight pieces — easy
Many pieces are simple rectangles or strips: waistbands, bias strips, facings, some bag and cover pieces. You draw them with a ruler in a few minutes, to the dimensions given. It's the ideal place to get started.
Curved pieces — with a little method
For shaped pieces (front, back, trouser leg), I guide you with reference points and curves to draw with a compass or freehand, dimensions annotated. It takes longer, but it's perfectly doable with a little care.
Complex pieces — switch to the PDF
Some pieces call for a precision that hand-drawing struggles to reach: darts, set-in sleeves, notched collars. In those cases I don't leave you to muddle through — I tell you clearly and point you to the printable PDF, which remains the safe bet. The darts themselves are shown to you (V-shaped markings) so you know where they fall.
When every piece of a pattern can be drawn with a ruler and a compass, the app tells you: that's the green light to draw it entirely by hand, with no printer.
A few drawing reflexes
- Check your right angles with a set square: a skewed corner spreads across the whole piece.
- Mark the reference points (notches, centres, dart placements) as you go: these are your meeting points at assembly.
- Don't forget the seam allowances if the pattern doesn't include them: add them around each piece before cutting.
- Draw lightly in pencil first, then go over it once you're sure.
And then?
Once your pieces are drawn and cut out of the paper, the rest is identical to the printed version: you pin onto the fabric along the grain, transfer the markings, cut, and follow the assembly steps. Before all that, remember to prepare your fabric well — that's what keeps a lovely garment looking good over time.