What Pattern software do you use?

[Chris777]

I use Inkscape to create my patterns.  I’m doing my first project larger than 8.5x11 and I’m finding Inkscape doesn’t have a way to print on multiple pages.  There is a work-around but it’s VERY clunky.  

So, I’m looking for recommendations.  Preferably something that is open source or very cheap.

[chuck123wapati]

A ruler, a compass, a pencil, a protractor, and a brain. I gave up computer drawing when I retired and haven't missed the constant updates, planned obsolescence, or wasting money a bit. 

[BlackDragon]

I also use Inkscape to make patterns.

I export the pattern as a png file and open it with a LibreOffice Calc (It's free). I run a Linux system so I don't use MS products but you may be able to use any spreadsheet program.

Make sure you add a measurement block in your pattern so you can adjust your printing size correctly (I do a 1"x1" square).

[Chris777]

@BlackDragon I use Libre office so I will try that.  Thanks for the tip.

[BlackDragon]

Something I just remembered, while in Inkscape be sure your page size is as large as you need to fit your whole pattern. Inkscape will only export whats within the page boundaries

[Digit]

What I usually do when stuff gets spread over pages or when software doesn't want to spread over pages is to print everything to a huge, single-page PDF and then print that PDF; either scaling it down to one physical page or poster-print to multiple pages.

Depending on how Inkscape prints, you may even keep the PDF vectorized so you can scale as much as you want afterwards without losing precision.