FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Threads by Caroline's sewing patterns.
I've signed up for the newsletter, but haven't received the free patterns.
Have you checked your spam folder? Sometimes our 'Welcome email' ends up there. This e-mail is sent automatically from us, within a couple of hours after you've signed up. If you can't find it in your inbox or spam folder, contact us and let us know the e-mail address you signed up with, and we'll help you out.
Are seam allowances included in the patterns?
Yes, 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance is included in all patterns (any exceptions are clearly marked). We strive to make our patterns easy and fun to sew with, and we believe that including seam allowance helps that.
How do I show/print only one or several specific sizes in a digital pattern?
Read our guide here.
My pattern has not been printed to scale - the control rectangle is not showing the correct measurements. What should I do?
If your printer has printed the pattern too large or too small, for example, the control rectangle is 9,5 cm instead of 10 cm (too small), or 11 cm instead of 10 cm (too large), here's what you can do:
- First, make sure you've printed the pattern at 100% scale, or "Actual size".
- If it's still not right, perhaps the control rectangle is 11 cm even though you've printed at 100% scale... Set the printing scale to 97%, print page 1 and re-measure. Maybe now it's 10,3 cm, then set the scale to 95%, print page 1 again and measure. Whatever you need to do to make sure the control rectangle on the printed page is indeed with the correct measurements.
How do I print and tape a digital pattern?
Read our guide here.
Do the patterns have metric or imperial units?
Both actually! Our patterns are made in Sweden and in the English version of our patterns we always write all measurements in metric units first, and then in inches in brackets. Like this: "Sew with 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance".
In the Swedish version of the patterns, we only use metric units.
Should I buy a printed or digital pattern?
Well, that's up to you. The advantages of a digital pattern are that - as long as you save it on your computer and at least one safety copy - you can never loose it. When you buy a digital pattern you'll receive an e-mail with a download link. This link can be used 5 times and then it is inactivated. When you click the link and open the pattern and the instructions you should save it on your computer. You can also e-mail it to yourself so that it is saved on your e-mail. You can also store a copy on Dropbox, the Cloud or an external drive.
With a digital pattern you can also choose to print only the size/s that you plan on using, since all our sewing patterns have a separate layer for each size (only in A4/letter format!). Three files are included in a PDF pattern:
- The tutorial
- The pattern in A4/letter format (for home printing)
- The pattern in A0 or A1 format (for copyshop printing). Note! Only 1 copy may be printed in this format
The advantages of a printed sewing pattern is that you don't have to print it and tape it together yourself. It's also inspiring to have a printed pattern and instructions booklet that you can keep in your bookshelf. The pattern and the booklet are color-printed on thick and durable paper that will hold through many uses. (And our print shop carries the Nordic Swan Ecolabel).
