Screenshot of a sewing pattern.

Measure a sewing pattern's height, width, or even curved parts using Acrobat Reader

Some of my sewing patterns do not include the finished garment measurements, and I know it's an essential element for many. I plan to include these charts gradually, but until then, I will show how you can make pattern measurements using the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. 

Measuring pattern pieces in Acrobat Reader is simple. You will need:

  • A computer that supports the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • The sewing pattern in the A0 printing version or the projector file (available soon for a selection of patterns)

How to Measure:

  1. Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  2. Hide the unnecessary sizes using the layer panel on the left.
  3. Find the Tools toolbar, usually by default on the right, and click Measure. If you cannot seem to locate Measure between all available tools, click Find Tools and digit "Measure" or click More Tools and scroll till you find it. 
  4. The measurement toolset will appear in the secondary toolbar, at the top, under the main toolbar.
  5. In the secondary toolbar, click Measuring Tool.
  6. The Measuring toolbar and the Measurement Info panel will display. 
  7. Select the Distance tool to measure the heights and widths of the sewing pattern's different pieces or the Perimeter tool to measure the curved lines or the perimeter. 
  • How to use the Distance Tool:
  1. Select the Distance Tool.
  2. Make sure you've selected all Snap Types.
  3. On the sewing pattern, click on one side of the part you want to measure, drag to the other, and click. The appeared segment shows the distance from one point to another.
Screenshot in Acrobat Reader of the bodice length measurement.
Screenshot in Acrobat Reader of the shoulder seam measurement.
  • How to use the Perimeter Tool to measure curved parts of the pattern:
  1. Select the Perimeter Tool.
  2. Make sure you've selected all Snap Types.
  3. On the sewing pattern, click on one side of the segment you want to measure, drag and make multiple clicks along the curved segment till you reach the end side, then double-click to "close" the measuring segment. The appeared segment shows the distance from the start point to the last point. Make as many middle points as possible to follow the curve of the segment. Don't bother if the middle points are not precise, you can adjust them once you've "closed" the measuring.
Screenshot in Acrobat Reader of the armhole measurement on the back panel.

Note that my sewing patterns include seam allowances, so if you need finished garment measurements, do not include the seam allowances when measuring. Also, if you need to change units, click Edit→Prefeneces and find the Category 'Units & Guides'.

 

That's all for now! If you have any questions, just let me know.

 

XOXO, Lucia 

 

 

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