FAQ

If you are new to digital patterns, see this post for an overview.
Would you like try a Stitchmaiden pattern? Find a free beginner friendly pattern here. 
Are you looking for something simple to start with?  We recommend our bestselling Bryony belts

See this page for detailed information about our patterns.

Stitchmaiden patterns are instant digital downloads - you will not receive a paper pattern in the post.
You will get PDF's of A4 with seam allowances, A4 without seam allowances, A0 with seam allowances, A0 without seam allowances & Sewing Instruction.

Each Stitchmaiden PDF sewing pattern contains:

Mix&Match Design
Choose your style: This pattern has multiple versions in one pattern. Mix and match different sleeves, bodices, skirts and collars given in the pattern. Combine as you like to create a unique design that suits your style best.

Seam Allowances
Choose if you want to use our file with or without seam allowances.

Illustrated Instructions
Step by Step illustrated diagram tutorial for construction, easy to follow and to understand + 1-Page Short Instruction Summary.

Construction Lines
Change the design, length or fit to your measurements. This pattern is easy to follow and you can personalize it with our construction lines included in the pattern.

Layers
This pattern is designed with layers so you can only print your size, unchecking unnecesary sized in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

We do not provide step-by-step video tutorials on each pattern, but we are sure that our detailed illustrated instructions provide all necessary information and visuals for you to successfully sew your Stitchmaiden item!

Stitchmaiden patterns are currently only available for purchase via Etsy.

The webshop on this webpage is currently under construction.

Etsy:

You purchase on the Marketplace Etsy and get your patterns there right away!
Open Etsy on your computer > "You" > "Purchases and Reviews" > Look for the order > click "Download Files". You will be directed to the downloads page for all files attached.
Downloads do not work on the Etsy App, but only on desktop. If you want to download it on your mobile phone, open your browser (e.g. chrome) and log into Etsy.

Ordering as a guest:
Etsy should have send you a link to download your files in the receipt email that was sent to you after purchase.
If you can’t find the download notification email please check your spam or junk inbox. If you use Gmail, also check your Social and Promotions tabs. If it’s not there, adding "transaction@etsy.com" to your address book or safe list can help you locate this email.

See this Link for Etsys Guide:
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115013328108?segment=shopping

Etsy is responsible for the file transfer. For any problems on Etsy contact the Etsy support or our Etsy Shop.

Webshop

After you make your purchase, you will receive an order confirmation along with the download links to the email with which you ordered. Please also check your spam folder.

We also recommend making an Account with us so that you can see all your purchased patterns there.

Yes! Our sewing patterns include ease. Ease is an amount of additional width in the garment which allows for movement and comfort. 

It is also a design element for the patternmaker since it controls the fit of the garment. For example modern structural undergarments (bras and panties) made of elastic material usually have no to negative ease since they are meant to fit like a second skin. A linen blouse will have more ease since it is usually worn over a layer of undergarments and it needs to allow movement since the woven material has no stretch.

The ease differs for every sewing pattern. We list the amount of ease for important measurements, you will find them in the chapter “size chat” in the sewing instruction of each pattern.

Please check our Size Guide for help selecting your size.

Every body is unique, but our size chart is standard - so it is common that you will not perfectly match with one size based on your measurements.

Not all measurements are always relevant for every sewing pattern - for example out belt pattern "Bryony" only requires you to pay attention to the waist measurement.

What measurements you need exactly for which pattern will be explained on the individual sewing pattern listing picture and its sewing instruction.
We also list how much ease we include for relevant measurements, so you can better calculate your desired fit.

If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact us.

To make our sewing patterns more inclusive, we started expanding the size range in 2025 with sizes 46-58 (EU).

Please keep in mind that grading sewing patterns takes time, so we will be slowly adding plus sizes sewing patterns to our shop.

See Plus Size patterns here

Please click here for the detailed explanation on how to print and tape your pattern.

Short Description/ Quick Help:

To print your pattern correctly on your computer use a PDF-reader. We highly recommend the free downloadable Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Make sure the pattern prints at the correct scale by using these printing options:
1) Set ‘page sizing & handeling‘ to 
‘actual size’ or ’custom scale 100%’. 
2) Set ‘orientation‘ to ‘auto’.

Print the first page first, and check that the test square is the correct size and scale.
Then print out the rest of the pattern.

You will see the border of the margins around the pattern guiding you where to cut off the margins.

Tape or glue pages togethers in rows and columns until you assembled the whole paper pattern.

All of our patterns come in two formats:

- A4/ US Letter for home printing
- A0 for copyshops.

If you want to send the file with only one visible layer to your copyshop for printing, please contact us - we are happy to prepare this file specially for you!

Print only your size!

All our Stitchmaiden sewing patterns are layered. This allows you to select and show only the size (or sizes) you want to print. By hiding the unnecessary sizes your pattern will be easier to use.
We recommend  the free downloadable Adobe Acrobat Reader to use this feature.
To select the layers click the layer icon at the right sidebar. If you cannot find it go to: Menu -> View -> Show/Hide -> Side panels -> Layers

Detailed instructions on how to use layered pattern files can be found in the sewing instruction file and on the Guide: How to use the Patterns page.

Our sewing patterns are not yet optimized for beamer/projector sewing, but please let us know if you are interested.

However, we have heard from our community that they successfully used their projector with Stitchmaiden patterns.

Selling Handmade Items – Conditions

• Home sewing by one person only; no commercial, factory, or mass production.
• You may sell personally handmade garments and accessories made from the pattern (online, markets, shops).
• Credit Stitchmaiden as the pattern designer in tags and/or product descriptions.
• Do not sell, copy, share, distribute, or claim the pattern of any part of it as your own.

Community & Collaboration

We decided against selling licenses for commercial sewing to support small businesses in making and selling handmade items in hopes to encourage more handmade loved products in this world!

✦ Contact us - Join the community! Please contact us and let us know that you are selling a Stitchmaiden design in your small business. We would love to talk to you and create a community, where we support each other.

✦ Let’s support each other! We would love to advertise for your handmade items - you will be named as a seller on our website and social media, so our customers can find you and purchase from you. Please credit Stitchmaiden as the pattern designer in tags and/or product descriptions.

Allowed

✦ Personal use, gifts, and handmade items for sale in your small business.
✦ Use of patterns for content creation (social media)

Not Allowed

✦ Big commercial, factory or mass production is strictly prohibited.
✦ Distribute (copy & share) Stitchmaiden Sewing Patterns with your clients for a class or workshop.

All patterns are protected from editing with a password. This way we are protecting the patterns from being stolen.
If you use the pattern normally for your sewing experience, you don't need the password. Files are allowed to be read and printed, but not to be edited.
You can not open files with Illustrator or Photoshop (editing apps).

Read and print via Adobe Acrobat Reader (free app).

If you want to send the file with one layer visible to your copyshop for printing, please contact us - we are happy to prepare this file specially for you!

Please try to download the PDF file once more - sometimes technical issues can occur while downloading the file and the files are broken. Redownloading usually helps.

If you feel like the PDF file is still broken - please contact us at stitchmaidenstudio@gmail.com and we'll get it sorted out for you!

If there was any sort of error or mistake with your order or you need additional help, please send us an email to
stitchmaidenstudio@gmail.com and we'll get it sorted out for you!