How to print a layered pattern
This pattern contains layers, which means you can print each size individually should you
wish to do so. This is helpful when working with patterns that contains details such as
pleats, as the lines in a nested group of pattern sizes can often overlap, making it a little
harder to see where you’re cutting for the size you wish to make.
Each size is set in a different layer, so you can turn off all the layers of the sizes you don’t
want to make and just be left with the size you do want to make. You can leave as many as
you like turned on incase of grading between sizes and you can go back to the file and
choose different layers at different times if you want to make other sizes for friends and
family for example.
Printing in layers can be done using the Adobe layers panel as detailed below:
Step 1: You must be using Adobe reader. Layers will not work on other PDF viewing
programmes, plus, NH Patterns make all of our PDF’s via Adobe, so for compatability
reasons this is always what we recommend. The basic version of this is free to download
and use.
Step 2: Open your file in Adobe reader. Go to File > Open and find the file you wish to
open. Remember, if you are using 8.5”x11” paper/printer, you will want to open the US
Letter file. If you are using an A4 printer, you will want to open the A4 file.
* A0 and US 36“x48” are large format files. These also have layers but are not for home
printing*.
Step 3: When your file is opened in Adobe, you will see some icons down the left side of
the Adobe window. If the icons are not there, you may need to open them. To do so, click
the arrow along the left side of the Adobe window.
This is the layers If you cannot see the
icon. Click here layers icon, click on this
to see all layers arrow to open the
sidebar
The layers icon is the one that looks like papers stacked on top of each other (or layered).
Click on this icon. You will then notice that you have multiple layers, each named with a
different size.
These are your layers. Please note, only newer patterns have layers. We are working on updating older patterns
to have layers as soon as we can!
Within the layers you will see a layer named “all sizes”. This must always be switched on, no
matter what size you are printing. This file contains the grid and text that should be on the
pattern.
You will also see a range of other layers that contain different sizes. If for example you wanted to
make a size 10, you would keep the size 10 layer checked and the “all sizes” layer checked. You can
then turn off any other layer that is not needed.
To turn off a layer, just click the little eye icon next to the layer name. To turn it back on again, just
click in the box until the eye then appears
You can see here that I have turned all layers off except the “UK size 10” layer and the “All sizes” layer.
On the preview to the right of the screenshot, you can see there is now only 1 line. This line is your size 10
pattern and all other sizes are hidden.
To print multiple sizes, just turn on as many layers as you need by checking in the square box to the left of the
layer until the eye icon appears.
Once you have selected the layers you wish to print, you can go ahead and print them!
Please be careful to follow these printing instructions before printing your pattern, to ensure that
your pattern is not distorted and is to the correct proportions.
The pattern is set to print on a standard A4 home printer or US letter home printer depending on the
file you chose to print. When printing your pattern, first only print the test square page of the
pattern. Check that the scale for printing is set to 100% or “actual size” and do not scale, fit to page,
or zoom on the pattern. The test square on the pattern will include instructions as to what the
dimensions should be.
Once you have printed your pattern at the correct scale, you can then proceed to assemble the
pattern.
*See next page for a Youtube link on how to print and assemble your PDF Pattern*
The pattern pages contain a black border around the edge of the pattern. Cut all the printed pages
along the right hand side and bottom edge along the border and tape together the pages, so that the
numbered and lettered joining circles match. (It doesn’t matter if you cut the wrong side of the
border, but if you only cut the right edge and bottom edge on all pages, it will make it easier to tape
together!)
Following the sizing chart, choose your desired size, and cut this size following the line types printed
on the pattern.
If you want to make multiple sizes, I would recommend not cutting the pattern after taping and
instead, trace off the size you wish to make onto tracing paper, and keeping your printed pattern as a
hard copy for future projects.
If for any reason you are unsure on how to assemble your pattern, please check out my video here:
[Link]
*Please note, the video shows only how to print the pattern, not how to choose your layers. The
method of printing is exactly the same for a layered pattern, just check before you print that the
preview shows only the layers you selected.*