PDF and digital Patterns - instructions for use

You have certainly noticed that at C'est du Joly, we have greatly expanded our digital pattern selection.

Many of you order digital patterns and discover the world of printable patterns... some with pleasure, others with fear and more apprehension.

To ensure your experience goes smoothly, we have prepared a little user guide for you to enjoy your digital patterns under the best conditions!

1. Buy your pattern

Whether it’s a printed pattern or PDF, head to the website or the shop to build your shopping cart like on all online sales platforms.

Since this is an online and digital purchase, be sure to enter the "correct" email address because:
- you might have several, for example for work
- you might have an old pre-registered one on your computer that you no longer use
- you can also make a typo when typing it...

So double-check before confirming and paying for your purchase, otherwise the link to download the PDF will be sent to the wrong address 😱... disaster!

Once your PDF pattern purchase is confirmed, you will receive 2 messages from us in the email inbox you provided during purchase. The first is your order confirmation (your "ticket"); the second contains the link to download your pattern. Do not download the file from your smartphone because most do not have an app installed to open ZIP files; download it from your computer.

I recommend doing it right away and setting up a digital pattern library.

This is how I organized myself:
- Level 1 folder: the type of garment
- Subfolder with the brand and the pattern name where I put all my files (instructions and patterns)

Why download your pattern on a computer?

It is necessary to have a decompression program installed on your device to download and open your pattern. Generally, patterns are sent as compressed .zip files.

Do you want to download it on your phone or tablet? It's possible, but you will first need to install a decompression program compatible with your phone. Your computer usually already has one installed (on Windows you can open zip files directly).

Why are the patterns compressed?
Designers create patterns with lots of explanations, photos, and diagrams which are quite large. Also, there are several files. Compressed files reduce the size and group all files into one, saving you from having to click on a separate link for each file (when there are 2, it’s not a big deal, but when there are 10 links it quickly becomes a pain).

2. Download your pattern

To download your PDF pattern, you have three options:
- As soon as your order is paid, on the thank you page; you have a link to your digital files. Sometimes you need to wait 1 or 2 minutes for your payment to be processed and your files to be prepared.
- Or from your email, it’s easy and fast. Within 5 minutes you will receive an email with links to your files. Note, it’s the second email that contains the links, not the first which is your receipt.
- Either from your customer account

From your email: just press the "download" button next to the pattern you want to sew right away.

From your customer account: log in to your customer account by clicking on the "person" icon at the top right of your screen. Enter your email address (the one you used for your order) and your password.

You will then find all your order history (fabric, haberdashery...) but also, and most importantly, your patterns to download.

Create your customer account
If you haven’t created a customer account yet, just press the "Create your account" button in the customer area. Enter the same email address you used for your orders and create your password. If you have never accessed your customer account but have already placed an order, still click on "create your account" and set your password.
Ta-da, it’s already done!

I don’t remember if I have a customer account or my password
No worries, the option exists too!

Click the reset my password button.
Easy, right?

3. Pattern formats

As I mentioned earlier, PDF patterns are quite large files because they contain images, diagrams, explanations, pages full of information... To make the file easily arrive in your inbox, they are often compressed in zip format.

To open them, you need a reader for this format on your device. All computers come equipped with one. So, a computer is a good device to work on your PDF patterns.

Phones and tablets do not come pre-installed with a file decompression program. However, you can download one to be able to download and open your patterns on your phone and tablet.

4. Pattern printing

When printing a pattern, always choose a print at full size because any other option risks distorting the print.

I recommend using the Adobe Acrobat Reader application to print; they are the creators of the format and the options always work well >> https://get.adobe.com/fr/reader/

A4 option / at home

I recommend always printing the page with the test square and taking the time to measure it to ensure the scale is correct and avoid printing 40 pages only to have to throw them away.

Once you have printed all the sheets, you will need to assemble them to reconstruct the pattern sheet. Often, you will have an assembly guide with marks to help align the pages. Then tape all the pages together.

Note that some patterns are assembled edge to edge; others frame to frame or mark to mark. Be sure to follow the creator's instructions.

A0 option / at the printer.

Take your USB drive or send your pattern directly to your favorite printer. You can then ask for an A0 print, at full size.

I always recommend specifying black and white printing to avoid burning a hole in your wallet 😂.

5. Layers

Some patterns like those from Lenaline and more recently those from Laeti et Lea have layers.

Layers allow you to print only the size (or both sizes) you want on your pattern sheet. This improves line readability.

You don't have to use them, but I'm sure you'll find them useful once you try!

Here is the procedure to select the layer:

- Open your file with the Adobe Acrobat Reader application (not another one)
- Click on the layer icon, see photo1
You will then see all the layers available in your file.
By default, all sizes are already shown on your pattern
- Select the necessary layers on the right

To display only the desired size, uncheck all other sizes by clicking on the "eye" icon