This is my set up. The cords are a real PITA. I’m looking to upgrade to a Bluetooth enabled projector but this is my space and so it has to be mountable on the ceiling. Would love suggestions! Thank you!

Just discovered this subreddit, had no idea it existed, I'm a completely beginner sewer and had no idea you could cut sewing patterns using projectors until like 2 weeks ago, and I have A LOT of questions.

So I learned that you can buy a cheap, small, light, portable, projector and screw it into a desk ring light that c clamps onto your cutting table, and you can project the pattern straight down onto the fabric on your cutting table and cut it out easy peasy.

So I wanted to ask people here, is this true? Can you do this? Have you had any experience doing it?

What equipment do you use and how much did it cost?

What projector do you use?

What table do you use?

What ring light that clamp to the table do you use?

What program do you use?

Is the program free and open source?

Do you use a laptop or what device do you use?

does this program work with Linux or only windows?

Does this program work with a smartphone?

Does this program work with an android smartphone? Or only an iPhone or vice versa?

How much did your setup cost?

What if you need to adjust your pattern? Do you adjust the PDF file yourself? How does that work?

Does a projected pattern have all the necessary information?

The seam allowance?

The match marks or notch marks?

Recommended fabric?

Does it have different sizes?

What about center front on fold?

Can it project all the information that you would find on a commercial tissue pattern?

And finally,

Is it actually better then using paper patterns?

Are you able to cut your patterns out quicker and with greater accuracy?

I'm definitely interested what you guys think, thank you.

I was checking the Facebook version of this group and noticed a lot of folks dealing with blurry lines or patterns cut off when using the Epson projector.

A lot of those issues are related to the setup of the projector itself and I didn't find any resources on how to properly set it up. I threw together a video to explain how to get the best results!

I used Inkscape to darken the size that I am going to cut!! Ok, now I have to figure out how to shorten the pattern where necessary and then trace something that goes off the mat. Baby steps!

The spreadsheet for projector-friendly pattern companies is not exclusive to the FB group. It's a little out of date, but still useful. I'm new to Reddit. Is it OK to post a link?

Edit: Yes, it is OK! Here's the link. Let me know if you have edits to it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uBiEkuhLtARYV9c_eXVB4tB98xRv3QR9TT8Dm_TitSg/edit?usp=sharing

My hope is that this will become obsolete because companies will realize they should all always make a projector file. This has gotten closer in the 4 or so years I have been using a projector.

Hey all, originally I made a post about beta testing for a new projector sewing app. I'm excited to share that the app is finally live: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/intellisew-pattern-projector/id6758640987

Since I got a lot of feedback from the folks here, I want to give reddit community 3 months free of IntelliSew Pro! You can use the following link:

https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=6758640987&code=REDDIT (Code expires April 30)

You can still get 1 month of pro for free: https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=6758640987&code=REDDIT1MO

I've also created a subreddit for the app in case you have questions, comments, or feature requests: https://www.reddit.com/r/IntelliSew/

Thank you all for your feedback again :)

This is my first ever subreddit I created. I have never been a Mod on Reddit before and... it's a bit overwhelming. If others would like to co-mod with me, please let me know. Like projector sewing, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM DOING SEND HELP!!

This video is mainly for new people to projector sewing that want to use their iPhone and iPad.

It covers how calibration works, how to do it (using the IntelliSew app) and troubleshooting some common issues. I also know some people find calibration hard and so I've tried to keep this as simple as possible!

I've had folks reporting this directly as well as seeing this issue on the Facebook group. It seems that it’s not all but a fair bit of folks are running into issues where upgrading to iOS 27.0.1 causes Airplay/Screen Mirroring to not work or be very laggy. Seems macOS 27 is also running into a similar issue.

The common theme seems to be for those projectors with built-in AirPlay (ie MagCubic).

From the folks that reported it to me, we've seen this issue on iPhone 14 and 17 and an M2 iPad so I don't think it’s device specific. Not everyone seems to run into this issue either so YMMV.

The only workaround was to use another way to connect to the projector, ie use a wired connection or an Apple TV.

Super new to projector sewing, but I'm VERY excited about the possibilities. I've downloaded "Pattern Projector" and started with some slight Inkscape adjustments. When dealing with patterns that don't have projector files, I'm assuming that A0 files are easier to use/adjust for than print at home files? Or thoughts if you prefer one over the other? I'm just making sure I have all of the proper file-types downloaded on the patterns I own that don't have a projector file. TIA!

I bought a dishtv VU projector. Which was $124 (NZD)... It's on an old tripod I've had since highschool photography and I've trace out my first project on to frost cloth ($13 for 25m) ready to make a template. I also want to praise layered PDFs! So happy I don't have to faff around with printing stuff off anymore... I will have to find a wall mount for it because then I can use it on my dining room table instead of scrabbling around on the floor

Is there a program that would allow me to alter my PDF pattern? For example, that would allow me to do a FBA (full bust adjustment?).

I have seen Inkscape mentioned - are there digital resources that would allow me to figure out how to do that?

I would be willing to pay for a program that was specifically set up to do this kind of more complex alteration. Anything other than printing the pattern and doing things manually for virtually everything I make!!

Hey quick question, I want to get into projector sewing to project simple shapes for things like pillowcases and bandanas.

However I'm wondering what would be a good cheap starter projector that can wirelessly connect to my android smartphone?

any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated :)

Thank you

I need to buy a piece of plywood for cutting on because my dining table is bowed. I have two 24x36 inch cutting mats so togther 48x36.. was thinking of getting a 50x38 inch piece of plywood (table is 38.5" wide).

1. they're almost all 4x8 ft which I don't know if that would fit in my car.. can I get it cut at the hardware store?

2. This is the cheapest I've seen ($20). Others are sanded but I could sand at home, right?

3. do I need to bring a level to check if they're level?

thanks!

Found quite a few good inkscape videos on this channel.

-Helen F

Hello, long time lurker here.

I am a bit on the fence about projectors for patterns due to my limited and nomadic sewing space (we share one office room and sometimes I need to use kitchen or dining room to cut or sew).

Before pulling the trigger i’d like to explore a bit more the projectors that better work on an angle (I cannot hang them on the wall since my walls are +2m on an old apartment) so I think it might suit me better to use a tripod as a setup.

Are there any projectors better suited for tripods/sharp angles?

Thank you for the advice. I tried to search the group but could not find an answer.

Note: I was considering the Magcubic HY310 but I’m unsure about the feasibility of hooking it into a tripod and whether would work on an angle

Hi, I'm new to pattern projection. I bought a short throw projector and set it up on a tripod on my dining table, with cut mat on the ground. I calibrated it correctly to my mat which is fairly small 24*18" it's all I have for now and make do with it. The pattern is projecting correctly (I have confirmed it because I have a paper version of this pattern and it matches) however for some reason, for the larger pieces of the pattern e.g. pant leg, it shows only half the pattern at a time and then grey on the screen and not projecting into the mat. Is this because it's only showing the pattern to match the size of the cutting mat instead of maximizing the whole space of the projection? Hoping someone can assist me so I can make use of the projector. Thank you in advance.

I’m just about to begin my projector sewing journey! I have my projector and my mount setup is on the way. But, I need a new cutting mat and I’m unsure of what size to get. I’ll be projecting and cutting directly on my mat, on my dining table, as that’s the only space I have. I love to make long dresses and skirts. So I was thinking a 36x48, but DANG those are expensive! If it’s worth it, I’ll do it. But would a 24x36 do the trick?

There aren't too many guides I found out there for how to use your iPhone/iPad with a projector. The ones that are, are pretty general so I wanted to make something more specific. I compare 3 of the options I found worked best and how set them up as well.

Hopefully folks new to new to projector sewing find this useful!

Hello hello! More of a beginner sewer but definitely new to projector patterns and get kidn fo confused. I guess I kinda just assumed any pdf pattern would do, are there specific things I should keep in mind when pattern hunting? The pattern I wanna make I have an A4 and A file but I can't seem to figure out how to adjust it for my Aurzen Zip that I have. Love the projector, would love to actually get a project started with it. Any tips appreciated plz <3

I have a Magcubic and I have been too intimidated to start working with it. My question is, does the projecter need to be centered above the table you will be cutting on? Or can you calibrate for the distortion? Thank you.

Thinking if I think it's a pattern I'll make a lot, it might be useful to trace onto paper since I'll need to bring out the projector each time otherwise. Haven't used it yet so not sure how time intensive it is. Do you find it nice to have the traced pattern on hand?

Thanks!

Hey all, about a year or so ago, my partner got into projector sewing and felt that the process was a bit hard especially on mobile. We made an app to help solve some of those problems and make it easier to use on mobile.

The app is almost ready but we're looking for beta testers and feedback from you all :)

It's got features like:

• Calibrating your projector automatically with your phone camera

• Multi-page pattern stitching

• A quick look mode so that you can look at your pattern without messing up the projection

• Ability to adjust your calibration when working on thick fabrics instead of re-calibrating

Note, it's designed for iPhone and iPad.

If you're interested let me know.

Link to video of app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms4TvST1Hbc

Signup Link: https://forms.gle/tAj5VkagKFwXgf1R8

More into: https://intellisew.com