Troubleshooting PDF Stitcher
Sometimes, when I stop to think about it, it seems impossible that projector sewing, as a growing trend, has really only been around for a little over 3 years. We have come so far in such little time! Projector sewing patterns have become far more common and I hardly ever use PDF Stitcher for it’s original intent of digitally piecing together A4/Letter files into a full pattern anymore. But it can still be used for that original purpose and has had several awesome updates since that help us make any pdf pattern-A4/Letter, A0/copyshop, projector, or otherwise-just a little more projector friendly.
I’ve done several videos over PDF Stitcher-an interview with Charlotte Curtis, the projector sewist who programmed PDF Stitcher, a tutorial that mostly covers how to stitch patterns with PDF Stitcher, a tutorial that shows the newer functions that make patterns more projector friendly in the layers tab, and how to start a pattern in PDF Stitcher and move it on through to a vector software like Affinity Designer to adjust it digitally to fit you-and this one is adding to that list with a troubleshooting video.
PDF Stitcher is a very simple program to use. But that can make it all the more frustrating when things don’t go quite right. So today we are talking about what to do when PDF Stitcher gives you trouble.
Step 1: Update to the newest version
There are a couple different ways to do this. The newer versions actually have a built in alert when a new version is released and you can download from that. Or you can also always go to the website, www.PDFStitcher.org, and download directly from there. It may not fix your issue, especially if you already have the newest version, but at times there are bugs that have been fixed and a fresh download will solve your troubles!
Step 2: Double check your settings
This one sounds easy and obvious but sometimes it’s a little something that’s throwing everything off. Make sure you have a new name for your finished pattern and you’re saving it the proper place. Make sure you haven’t clicked the inches when you meant centimeters and vice versa. Check you haven’t forgotten to add 0s as blank pages where needed. Just be a little bit meticulous about each setting to make sure you’ve entered things correctly, which brings me to my next point…
Step 3: Use the PDF Pattern Assembly Spreadsheet
There’s a spreadsheet created by a member of Projectors for Sewing called PDF Pattern Assembly Spreadsheet. It’s a really great collaborative effort by projector sewists to help each other out. When someone figures out how to assemble a pattern, they can enter the info on the spreadsheet so that others can use the same info on their same pattern. Often, several of the settings are the same across and entire brand of patterns so several settings can be copied for the same brand, even if it’s not the same pattern.
Step 4: Post on Projectors for Sewing
At this point, if you still need help, turn to the hive mind at Projectors for sewing. You can try searching the group for your problem and/or post to ask your question. Make sure you include all the relevant details-pattern company, pattern name, settings you’ve entered, problem you’re having, etc. so that you can get the help you need. Screenshots are super helpful as well! You can always ask in my Facebook group as well!
Step 5: Send Bug Report to Charlotte
And, lastly, if all other options have failed you, it’s likely a bug that needs to be fixed. It’s important to let Charlotte know when there’s a bug to fix since she can’t possibly use every pattern file out there to discover all the possible issues. But it’s equally important to make sure you work through steps 1-4 first because she’s a busy lady and we want her to be able to use her time wisely. Charlotte has a great write up about using the bug report feature already at https://www.pdfstitcher.org/bug-reporting/ so I won’t write the instructions here but I do show the steps in the video.
So, in conclusion, I know it can be intimidating to use a new program or to have something go wrong when using a program that’s worked just fine before but hopefully this helps you if you ever have an issue with PDF Stitcher.
Till next time friends,
Branalyn
