VIDEO: How to use PDF Patterns

Summer is brewing here in Texas and I’m ready to wear shorts!
Today is our official last day of school! And that means….We will have a HIGH SCHOOLER next year. Ahhh. Lucy (in the middle below) graduated from Middle School this week. Owen grew about three inches during this quarantine (and his voice dropped a whole octave…which I guess makes sense since he’s TWELVE?!).
And Clara just finished 2nd grade. Tear.
It’s safe to say that those baby legs are gone and growing up.

In a weird way this quarantine time has reminded me a lot of when the kids were little—of this snapshot in time. I think it’s the slower pace of our schedule, and the fact that we’re not driving to 20 activities or play dates/hang outs. I really love having no commitments, and instead to have the schedule back on my terms (so I can get all those good sewing projects and brownie making sessions in? You betcha).  I know the world is starting to open back up again, and that has some goodness and complications to it. But I kind of wish we could stay a little more insular as a family, just tinkering away at projects and reading books.
And sewing a quilt?? (check out my quilting journey on instagram)

This time has totally energized me to sew more and do things I haven’t done in a while. I guess I’ve realized how easily I can get lost in my work, and how much I enjoy that. And now I’m totally rambling. Who am I kidding?? I totally need to be around people…for the sake of my family. I think they’re sick of me! And I’m dying to go out on a real date again to the movie theater. Casey and I try to do that often (in our normal life) and I’m totally missing it. Some day life will resume.

So….have you been sewing too???
It seems to be the Covid hobby.

I know many of you purchased the Bonbon Pets pattern last month, which is awesome (don’t forget there’s a new video for sewing the Bonbons!).
And many of you are gearing up for KID Shorts, and Summer Day Tops, and maybe a little Parfait Pouch.
Can you see where this is going?
Let’s talk about PDF Patterns!
YES.


I’ve always wanted to have a video that explains exactly how to print and use PDF patterns, which is how you access patterns from my shop (and other free ones on my site). All my patterns print to Standard US Letter size, or A4 size paper, and then you piece them together. Bam, what?
It’s easy to do. We’ll walk through the simple steps together.

Just hit the play button below, or watch it on my channel here.

And in case your neck of the woods is the opposite of shorts weather, we’ve got you covered too. Everyday Sweatshirt time!


Have a great weekend friends!
And keep on keeping on.
Check out my shop for PDF patterns seen in this post.
And check out my Youtube Channel for other projects ideas.

  1. 1) Gelia

    Hi Dana,

    I’ve been following you for YEARS. You taught me how to sew, so thank you! You’re the best.
    Do you know if it’s possible to, or have you ever used a cutting machine with your patterns? I’m thinking about getting a cricut to cut fabric because that really slows me down, as I’m terrible at it. Do you have any experience or insights? XO 🙂 Argelia

    • 2) bdaiss

      Hey Argelia,

      I don’t have a cricut, but I know folks who do. The two biggest complaints I’ve heard is that it’s not as accurate as they would really like and it wastes a lot of fabric. But a few friends love it. So…it’s hard to say? 🙂

    • 3) Dana

      I’m probably the wrong person to ask on that. Personally I don’t like having extra gadgets around when I cut something out with my scissors faster than it takes me to figure out the cricut machine! But I know that if you’re cutting a lot of one shape or pattern, people love it. So I’m not knocking the machine, it’s just not something that I enjoy or ever used when I had one.

  2. 4) Jean Karaly

    I have watched so many videos and have bought so many patterns that I look forward to new videos and patterns. Your instructions are exceptionally great. My 1st video was how to make your own bias tape which was so easy that that is all I make now with outfits that I make. So Thank You for all your informative videos and fun patterns. It has also been fun watching your children grow up,

    • 5) Dana

      Oh good! Awesome! Thanks for following along and trying things out Jean!

      • 6) veronica

        your so amazing I love your tutorials there so easy to follow

  3. 7) bdaiss

    Definitely loving the slower pace. Definitely sewing (over 500 masks, 3 quilt tops done, 3 more ready to be pieced). We are staying pretty insular for the summer since we are a major tourist destination. It seems our part of the state has thrown our doors open and is pretending the pandemic doesn’t exist. Summer dance and golf start next week and I’m already feeling anxiety about the schedule…and it’s only 2 days a week! 😀 (We used to be at the dance studio (which is 40 minutes away) 4 times a week! And we will again soon enough I’m sure…) And the movies…how I MISS the movie theater. (It might be the popcorn. *wink*)

    • 8) Dana

      Wow Brittany! 500 masks!! 3 quilt tops!! LOVE it. And yes, things are starting to open up here and I just want to go back to how it was, for some things of course. And haha. Seriously, I go to our theater for the food too! It’s a dinner/movie kind of place and they have some of my favorite menu items 🙂
      Hope your summer is starting off well!

  4. 9) Jen

    Dana,
    You make me happy! Thank you for sharing your joy and passion for sewing. I knew very simple sewing techniques when the virus hit and started sewing masks every day. I really like to sew, who knew?! I decided I needed to branch out. I found your site and your YouTube channel and am so happy I did. I feel with small steps and watching your tutorials I am expanding my new obsession with fabric and able to share the love! I recently made the simple skirt for my niece in a fun unicorn fabric and it fit her perfectly. Now that you’ve put this up, I am definitely going to buy .pdf patterns (I am eyeing that cute dress!). I was too confused about how to take advantage of this before watching this, so thank you for demystifying!
    And thank you for being you (your confidence is infectious).
    Regards,
    Jen

    • 10) Dana

      Oh good I’m so happy that this video will help. And I’m glad you’ve gotten into sewing! It’s such a fun adventure, and yes, it’s interesting to see where life steers us at times. I love that it steered you to sewing 🙂

  5. 11) Ma Jica P ceniza

    Hello Ma’am Dina. I’m Jica from Philippines. I love your videos. I’m planning to have a business a sewing business. Who sews baby clothes, bed sheets, and pillow cases. but I have no equipment. Because i can’t afford sewing materials. I’m the breed winner of my family. I have also a daughter. I was sewing my daughter’s clothes. But I’m not really good at what you do. Thank you ma’am Dina. Have a nice day. God bless.

  6. 12) Stacey smith

    Hi Dana
    I’m absolutely loving your website and have been following your channel on you tube .im 36 and I have become disabled in the last few years and have take. Up sewing during the lockdown as a way to fill my time . I have never in my life used a sewing machine but I have figured it out and have managed to provide my community here in south Devon uk with protective masks . Now I’m looking to make clothes for my children , my problem is I don’t have access to a printer , is there any easy way to draw the patterns out myself ?
    Thank you for helping teach me to sew , I love watching your videos , they are so vibrant and easy to follow 😊
    I hope you are all well
    Many thanks
    Stacey

  7. 13) Roya

    Hello dear, I am an Iranian girl .
    I follows your page and I thank you for your efforts and very useful videos. I want to download the patterns, do I have to pay for it?
    I cant pay 😭

  8. 14) Roya

    I wish I could buy the patterns .. 😔

    • 15) Nalika

      How can I get these patterns. I am from kerala in India. I am planning to start a shop of girls dresses. So can you please help me to get these patterns.

  9. 16) Marlena

    You have literally been my sewing teacher. I watch all of your amazing youtube videos and I am beyond thankful for your guidance and help!! Thank you!!

  10. 17) Marsha

    I love watching you sew I not good a sew but love sewing

  11. 18) Marsha

    I love watching you sew I not good a sewing but love sewing

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