Assembling an OxeyeDaisey Pattern

So you've bought this really great OxeyeDaisey Pattern and are so excited to get start... BUT, OH NO! First you have to assemble the pattern!  Don't fret! In an effort to make this process as painless as possible I am giving you, not only step by step instructions, but also an explanation as to WHY, OH WHY! you must tape your pattern together.

In the beginning....way before you, the customer, sees the pattern, OxeyeDaisey Patterns are drafted on paper...really big paper.  Adjustments are made, the pattern is refined and redrawn, and FINALLY when everything is satisfactory the pattern is put into the computer... a complicated process best left for another discussion.  Once in the computer, labels and markings are added to all the pattern pieces.  In order to sell patterns as  PDF file the pattern must then be "cut" into pieces so they may be printed out, by you at home, on sheets of paper (either 8 1/2 x 11 or A4). To make the process of putting the pieces back together, by you at home, special marks have been added to the pattern.  When these special "markings" come together they form a "circle" with an "X" through the center.  Let's take a look.....

Above is a portion of the Hooded Cape Pattern before I have digitally "cut" the pattern. Notice you can see the whole circles with the "x"s through the center.  Also notice I have added RED letters to the pattern, these will also be used in tandem with the "Pattern Assembly" instructions for putting the pattern together,by you at home.  

Once I "cut" the pattern into paper sized pieces this is what they looks like.....

Notice, in each corner are quarter pieces of the original "circles" as well as a RED letter.

***Before you print your pattern it is EXTREMELY important to first read and follow the printing instructions provided to you at the time of purchase.  If the instructions are not followed the pattern WILL NOT FIT TOGETHER!

  

All patterns come with a "Pattern Assembly" instructions.  These instructions were created to give you a guide as to what the pattern will look like once all the pieces have been put together.  Notice on the "Pattern Assembly" Instructions the corresponding RED letters, this lets you know where each piece should be placed.  

Here is where knowing the process of making the pattern comes in handy....when the pattern was made into a PDF file all of the many pages of the pattern were put in order, so when the pattern is printed, it is in the correct order to be put together A...B...C...D...  

Once you have the pattern printed find the first piece of the pattern, it will be marked with an "A" then find "B".

Here are two easy ways to put the pieces together so the circles line up.....

1.  This is the method I use....

Take all you paper pieces to a large window during daylight hours.  Tear off many small pieces of tape and stick them somewhere handy.  Hold paper "A" and paper "B" up to the window.  The light will shine through the paper making it possible to see the "circle" pieces on both papers.  Move the papers so that the "circles" align perfectly, meaning without overlap or space in between. Remember, the "circles" are cut into fourths, so it will take 4 pieces of paper before you get whole circle. Also, keep in mind, for your convenience, pieces are "lettered" alphabetically from left to right, and all RED letters face the same direction.   Put one of the small pieces of tape over the "circle" and move to the next "circle".  Continue in this way until you have finished one row.  How do you know when you have finished a row?  This information is found in your handy dandy "Pattern Assembly" instructions! I like to tape everything together in strips first like so...

Then I tape the long strips together.  After all the pieces are taped together with the small pieces of tape I go back and tape everything more thoroughly.  

2. So you like to work at night, or don't have a large window handy....No Worries!

On one of the papers you are piecing together carefully trim the white boarder off around the "circle" like so...

Now you can carefully place paper "A" on top of paper "B" taking extra care to perfectly align the "circles"...

 meaning without overlap or space in between....like so...

Referring to your "Pattern Assembly" instructions continue taping papers together until they are all papers are together.

If you are having trouble getting ALL of the pieces to line up perfectly....this happens sometimes, especially when working with a pattern that has many pieces....take a deep breathe, it's going to be OK.  Here are some tips:

1.  Check to make sure you followed the printing instructions.  If you did not you will have to reprint your pattern.
2.  It is most important for the pieces to line up at the cut line, so if some of the interior parts of the pattern piece aren't lined up perfectly, don't worry about it, just line up the cutting lines.
3.  Instead of taping all the papers together at the same time, you could tape only the papers needed for each pattern piece.  This is sometimes easier when the pattern is very large.
4.  If you still need help please, please, please feel free to contact me and I will assist in any way possible.

Yes, having to assemble a PDF pattern is ONE MORE STEP you have to do before you get to the fun stuff, BUT by purchasing a PDF pattern from OxeyeDaisey you are not only getting a super-duper pattern, all in the comfort of your own home, but you are also supporting a one woman business and allowing me to continue making super-duper patterns for you!....and I LOVE making patterns!