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Digital pattern vs print patterns which one do you prefer?
rfsews Beginner CA USA Member since 11/21/06 Posts: 140	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/20/12 5:05 PM I have to admit I’m not a big fan of digital sewing patterns. I’ve made a few clothing and non-clothing items from digital patterns and piecing them together is a pain. A few of them took up 20+ pages in the printer. In addition, savings with digital pattern isn’t significant (~$1-3 less than print). I haven’t tried printing the pattern at Kinko’s with the big sheet so I don’t know how much that would run me. One of the patterns I’m looking at has both print and digital version. Can anyone persuade me into buying the digital version?
rivergum   Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 12/17/06 Posts: 1289	Login to reply to this post In reply to rfsews << Like this post Date: 7/20/12 5:25 PM Rfsews, I love the digital patterns and here is why: - no out of stock - no shipping fees - instant delivery - I use scrap paper for printing, I.e. misprints. Raid the stuff left next to the printer at work - ink use is minimal - sticking the pages together is way faster than tracing once you have some practice - living in Australia we don't have the $0.99 pattern sales, so digital is often lots cheaper Hope this helps! ------ Taking in is happier than letting out. Sydney, Australia
Mrs. Cecil Advanced USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 152	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/20/12 6:24 PM I'm in the middle. I like the multi-size options of paper patterns, but the convenience of digital. I've had good luck with the Leko discs which give multiple patterns that can be printed in any size you need.
rivergum   Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 12/17/06 Posts: 1289	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mrs. Cecil << Like this post Date: 7/20/12 6:26 PM Digital patterns can be multi sized or single sized, it's up to the publisher. I agree that multi sized is better. ------ Taking in is happier than letting out. Sydney, Australia
loti   Advanced FL USA Member since 5/27/04 Posts: 3509	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/20/12 6:28 PM Print for me, sometimes those registration marks don't line up, and the printed patterns take up less space when I'm storing them. ------ "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Coco Chanel Stash Sewn in 2011 148.5 Yds Stash Sewn in 2012.... counting... http://adonising.blogspot.com
rivergum   Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 12/17/06 Posts: 1289	Login to reply to this post In reply to loti << Like this post Date: 7/20/12 6:46 PM Quote: the printed patterns take up less space when I'm storing them That is very true. I use a lot of TNT patterns, meaning I use a few patterns over and over rather than lots of different patterns. One thought though. If you don't think you will reuse the pattern, why keep the printed pages? You could just keep the digital version, maybe with the front page put into a folder to browse through when looking for a pattern. That would make storage really easy. ------ Taking in is happier than letting out. Sydney, Australia
KathleenS   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 11/18/02 Posts: 572	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/20/12 11:14 PM Printed for me. All that taping together ugh, and it can't be tissue fitted. I'm also in Australia, so digital is cheaper, but I find it's better just to select the (printed) ones I buy carefully and save money that way.
Tiffy5t Advanced Beginner NJ USA Member since 12/24/11 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post In reply to rfsews << Like this post Date: 7/21/12 3:27 AM I agree with your experience with digital patterns. I recently purchased a mens multi size pattern with 18 pieces that took almost 150 pages to print out and piece together. Some of the pieces didnt line up properly and my project was ill fitting as a result. The thing I didnt like was that the pattern took so many pages of paper to print and the pieces that i need to print did not take up that many pages, yet I had to print the entire pattern and piece it together just for the few pieces that I needed. That was frustrating to me, it took me hours to tape the pages together and cut out my pieces. I should have purchased the printed version. It would have been a major time saver. I am going to purchase this pattern again in the printed version in hopes of being able to produce a better garment. I hope that you have better luck your next experience with digital patterns.
squirrellypoo Advanced UNITED KINGDOM Member since 3/27/05 Posts: 1524	Login to reply to this post In reply to rivergum << Like this post Date: 7/21/12 4:03 AM I was going to say almost everything that river gum has already said! Except replace Australia with Uk. :) Digital patterns make SO MUCH SENSE for global distribution! ------ www.fehrtrade.com
brissie71   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 11/6/07 Posts: 798	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/21/12 4:16 AM Put me down for another from Australia. I really like the convenience and lack of ridiculous shipping fees of the digital patterns, but I much prefer printed ones. It's the bulk of storage that does me in. I am quite adept at tracing (I mainly sew from Burda and Ottobre) so that doesn't fuss me. I just really hate cutting and sticking together. I find this hilarious as one of my other hobbies is scrapbooking! It's just not the same. I'd like to pass on a tip for how to save money with pattern buying, but I just don't have any. None that I can say I practise anyway. ------ Kelley (Brisbane, QLD) http://simplesewist.blogspot.com.au/

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