FAQ
Have Questions? Read answers to our most Frequently Asked!
Pattern Printing and Assembly Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I un-zip my downloaded file?
For Windows users: Right-click to select "Extract All" For Mac users: Double-click the .ZIP file
Do I need special software to print the patterns from your store?
You will need a PDF reader to view and print them. The good news is PDF readers are easy to get and useful for more than just these patterns!
MacOS has native PDF support via the "Preview" app.
If you are a Windows user, you can get a free PDF reader from Adobe called Acrobat Reader-
Desktop: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Mobile: https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/mobile/acrobat-reader.html
Are your patterns good for beginner crafters?
While we do have a selection of beginner friendly patterns, we recommend you have some sewing experience. Costumes tend to be a bit more challenging to make than other types of garments or items.
If you are brand new to crafting costumes but want to use one of our store's patterns, we highly recommend having a friend or family member who is experienced help you.
Each sewing pattern comes with illustrated instructions for assembly. Basic understanding of sewing & sewing pattern terminology will be needed to use them. This is because the purpose of pattern instructions is to go over the needed assembly steps for a specific garment.
(In other words, while we work hard to make our instructions easy to use, our patterns are not a substitute for sewing books or classes designed to teach techniques.)
Note: Some of our patterns marked 'Advanced' are designs that require knowledge of advanced techniques. These patterns will be a significant challenge to new crafters & should be tackled only if you are already confident in your ability to use and adapt patterns to craft costumes.
For this reason, please check each listing's description before purchase.
I don't know how to do a sewing technique or assembly step. Can you help?
We highly encourage you to utilize the included illustrated instructions that come with every pattern, as well as our free resources on YouTube.
While we would love to be able to help more people learn sewing skills, it's outside the scope of what our patterns are designed for and what we sell.
Teaching sewing skills is a seperate job in of itself, and since there are only two of us running all aspects of our company, we can not offer free tutoring or one-on-one assistance. Purchasing a pattern from us entitles a buyer to use the contents of that pattern, as-is, without modifications, additional services, or products.
Sewing garments is a complicated process. This is why we include a list of 'Skills to Know' in the listing images of every pattern, as well as a skill level estimate. This information is designed to give buyers an idea of what experience is needed in order to successfully complete the assembly of the pattern. We encourage buyers to read through that list before buying a pattern from us, with the knowledge that we can not offer additional assistance beyond what is included in the pattern.
If you are not familiar with some of those required skills but still wish to attempt making the pattern yourself, have a friend or relative who is experienced assist you or brush up on the skills needed by doing an online search for sewing technique tutorials. There are a lot of incredible learning resources on YouTube, Pinterest, and independant creator's blogs.
Do your patterns include yardage estimates? How much yardage will my pattern need?
Our sewing patterns come with a yardage & a supply list located in the 'Read Me' document.
Fabric estimates are generally provided for 58" wide fabrics, and occasionally for 45" wide fabrics. The yardage you will need will vary depending on the fabric width.
Most of our patterns now include a conversion chart for estimating a variety of fabric widths.
We round yardage estimates to the nearest 1/4 yard. To get the most accurate estimate possible, we recommend you print out your specific size and tape it together first before buying fabric. Using a measuring tape or yardstick, calculate yardage based on the width of the fabric you plan to use.
What fabrics types do I need to buy for my pattern?
Along with yardage and supplies, each pattern comes with recommended fabrics located in the 'Read Me' document. Many of our pattern listings here on maridah.shop have those materials included in the item descriptions, too. You don't need to stick to these materials though!
Unless otherwise noted (like in the case of needing stretch materials) fabric type is completely up to your own personal preferences and local store availability.
What is ‘Ease’?
If you are reading this term for the first time in one of our 'Read Me' files, it’s a useful term to learn about! Ease is extra width added to a pattern to allow for movement and style.
There are two types of ‘ease’. Wearing and Design.
Wearing 'ease' does what it sounds like it does. It makes a pattern wearable. If a pattern were exactly the size of your measurements, you wouldn’t be able to move easily when wearing it. Ease allows for physical movement in the outfit once it is assembled and worn.
Design 'ease' is included in patterns to create certain looks- think puffed sleeves or a billowy blouse. This extra material creates a specific silhouette.
Our patterns include varying amounts of both types of ease. Many of our patterns include extra wearing ease in the waist, for example. Waistlines are the part of the body most prone to fluxuations, so we take that in to account when drafting and recommend you do so when taking measurements. (Fun fact: waist measurements can fluctuate by several inches throughout the course of a day. This affects some people more than others. 😿 If that sounds relatable, retake your waist measurement a few times throughout the day and choose the biggest number- you'll be more comfortable in your finished garment!)
Costumes that are designed with minimal ease or are designed for stretch fabrics will have that noted in the pattern instructions.
We highly recommend you make a mock-up of any project, but it’s especially important to make one for costumes that are very fitted so you can make adjustments to best fit your shape.
I'm having trouble getting the pattern to line up. Can you help me?
If the pattern pieces are not lining up or seem to be the wrong scale, there are several things to try:
- Watch our Pattern Printing & Assembly Guide Video. It covers all the following suggestions in detail. You can find the video here.
- Check to make sure the software you are printing with has native PDF support. Using software like Adobe Acrobat is recommended. Word processors like Microsoft Word don’t have native PDF support so they will distort the pattern.
- Check the print scale key on the pattern. If it is not to scale, you’ll need to reprint. The ‘Starting Guide’ document available with your download contains printing tips that solve most print issues.
- Check if the pattern has been assembled correctly. There are illustrated instructions on how to cut and tape together the pattern in the ‘Read Me’ document included with the sewing pattern.
- Check that you are lining up the sewing lines, not the outer edge of the seam allowance. This is a common source of alignment issues. Using tailor’s chalk or removable marker, draw the sewing lines on to the back side of the fabric pieces. We use a US standard seam allowance of 5/8” unless otherwise noted. Once you’ve marked the sewing lines, line up those lines with each other.
If you are still having trouble after trying these solutions, please email us a photo of your work in progress and a brief summary of the issue so we can better assist you in troubleshooting.
I want to use the Large Format Printer Files included with my pattern. Where do I get those made?
These files can be printed anywhere that offers blueprints and plotter printing. You'll want to select the A0 (international standard) or Arch E (US Standard) sized paper. In the US, these are the 36"x48" sized sheets. Request to print the documents at 100% scale.
Having large pattern documents printed locally can be pricey, but you can use an online service that specializes in printing sewing patterns. Using an online service will be significantly cheaper in most cases.
Note: In the past, a few of our patterns had the editing function disabled to discourage the un-fun kind of pirates. Occasionally, these files would give an error message when uploading them to online print file share services. (We no longer use these settings because they caused this issue.) If you bought from us in the past & happen to encounter this error message, email us for an unlocked version of the file, which we are happy to provide to customers with an order number or the billing info from the order.
I've misplaced a file I purchased. Can you send me a new one?
Absolutely! Email us with your order number, billing information or the email address you used for the order.
To speed up the process of re-sending your order's files, let us know what platform you bought it on as well (e.g. Etsy, Maridah.com or Maridah.shop)
If you don't remember the order number or which email you used, please provide the name on the order and your best guess on the email address or billing info used.
I just placed a purchase but don't see an email with the download link in my inbox. Help!
Sometimes the cart system our site runs on (Shopify) can take a little while to generate and send the email containing the download link for your order. Don't fret! Most emails will arrive right away, but it can take up to a few hours on occasion if Shopify's system is experiencing delays.
If you don't see an email with your download link once several hours have passed, try these steps:
- Check your spam filter. Sometimes emails with download links will get filtered into spam or junk folders by mail clients automatically. An overzealous spam filter may have mis-categorized the automated email sent by our cart system.
- Make sure you are checking the right email account. If you have used an email with other Shopify stores in the past, it likes to default to using that email again when auto-filling your order info with other Shopify stores, like ours. That can mean your order is placed under a different email address than you anticipated using.
If these solutions fail, send us an email! We can help you out.
I bought a pattern from you on Etsy, but can't find where to download it. Can you help?
To access your digital file(s) on Etsy, go to Your account > Purchases and reviews and look for the order.
To the right of the order, click Download Files. This goes to the Downloads page for all the files attached to your order.
Alternatively, you can access the files from the link in your order email if you log in on a browser first.
If you are still having trouble locating the download link, please let us know your order information from Etsy so we can provide you the files manually.
Etsy does not support downloading on the Etsy App so for both methods, you must sign in to Etsy via a web browser first.
I'm getting an error message when I try to open files I bought from you on Etsy. Can you fix it?
First, check to make sure you have fully unzipped the contents of your order's ZIP folder into a new folder. Do not attempt to open or print files from an uncompressed folder. Opening files while they are still in a compressed ZIP folder can cause error messages.
On occasion, Etsy’s download system damages files while they are downloading to your device. If you are getting an error message after fully unzipping, either message us on Etsy or email us here with your Etsy order information so we can manually email you the files.
I see something I've bought on Etsy or Maridah.com has been updated with new files. Do I need to buy it again?
No need to buy it again! We will gladly send you the updated files for free if you've already bought the pattern or resource.
Send us your order number or the email it was purchased with and let us know you are requesting the most recent version of the downloads from your purchase.
Your old store (maridah.com) download links expired after a month. Will download links expire though this store (maridah.shop)?
Thankfully, this is no longer an issue! Wooo!🎉Everyone hated that (us included!)
One of our reasons for transitioning to this cart system (Shopify) was greater control over download settings. We no longer have expiration dates for downloads. The only time when your download link will cease to work will be in the case of the file being updated, which you will receive a notification about and a new download link, automatically.
If you purchased through our old cart system (Wix) and would like the files from your order re-sent to you, please reach out to us via email with your order number. We will email you the files directly.
I see 'All Gender' size charts on your site now. What is the difference from your other size charts?
A number of our patterns that use chest circumference, height, or overall girth as the main point of sizing had size charts included with them that were specifically labeled 'Mens' or 'Womens', despite the designs being genderless.
We are switching to using 'All Gender' to describe those unisex style patterns to better encompass the wide range of body types those patterns can work for.
We've divided the genderless patterns up into two categories for adults, All Gender A & B. They are functionally the same charts as our Men's and Women's sizing, but should better reflect the fact that they are not drafted in such a way that makes them geared more towards one body type than another.
What resources do you have planned for future release?
We have a lot of resources & patterns in the works (easily 50+ at this point!) Our current & future projects list is developed based on cosplayer feedback, current trends, and various other factors (often our lead designer's ADHD.) This means our current project list is constantly changing! Due to this, we no longer list upcoming release plans, but if you see us at an event we're always happy to chat about what you'd like to see next.
We will be offering new 'Made to Modify' basics on a regular basis, as well as revamping & repurposing our 'Legacy Patterns' (aka our older releases and character inspired patterns) as time permits.
Do you have pre-made or display costumes I can order?
We do not provide pre-made costumes, sell our displays & prototypes, or offer cosplay commission services, but you are welcome to have a costume made by a commissioner with the assistance of the crafting materials here in our store.
If you don't have a commissioner in mind, email us and we will send you a list of crafters who have said they are available to take on commission work if you provide them with one of our patterns.
Do you take custom and personalized orders?
Each pattern requires anywhere from weeks to months of work for us to create. We do not offer custom or personalized items due to that long, and often expensive, process.
Can I sell the items I've made using your patterns?
Individuals can use these patterns to make a cosplay commission, sell a one of a kind garment, or produce a very limited run of handmade items for sale (e.g. less than 10) but company commercial use or any form of redistribution without our express permission is prohibited.
If you are a commissioner or individual making everything in-house, by yourself, we are perfectly happy for you to use our patterns for your commissions! Once a production partner is involved, though, like a manufacturer or factory, then we require a contractual agreement for use. This is to protect both parties.
We are open to discussions on commercial use of end products (e.g. Small runs of garments made with our patterns) or wholesale retail of paper patterns by other micro & small businesses. Please reach out to us through our contact page to discuss your proposed intended use of our work.
However, we do not allow the outside distribution of our digital patterns on other platforms, websites, or publications, regardless of organizational size or purpose.
How can I get help beyond what is answered here?
In order to receive a timely response, please use our contact form here on the contact page of our website, or reach out to us directly through our support email.
We do not regularly respond to support requests sent through direct messages on social media, included in reviews, or in comments left on our videos or posts. We understand this may be an inconvenience, but as we're a 2 person team, we currently lack the resources to stay on top of customer support via indirect channels like larger companies do.
For this reason, please contact us directly via email (Support@Maridah.Shop) so that we can help you out!
Pattern Size Charts
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Womens
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Mens
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Girls
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Boys
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All Gender Type A
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All Gender Type B
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All Gender Kids
Can't find what you're looking for?
Send us an email to tell us what's up and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Be sure to include your order number (if you have one).
Please reach out to us on our contact page!