FAQ

1.	There are circular marks on the darts and the pockets and lines that extend beyond these marks. Which are the appropriate ones to follow when marking a pattern?
	Which are the appropriate ones to follow when marking a pattern? The circular marks are drill holes and are placed on the pattern 3/8" from the lines for the darts and pockets. You should use the lines to mark for proper size of darts and pockets.

2.	Is the software compatible with MacIntosh computers?
	No

3.	Are there seam allowances on the pattern pieces on the work table?
	No, seam allowances do not appear on the pattern pieces on the work table. They do appear on the pattern pieces in print preview.

4.	When do I change model measurements and when do I change style properties measurements?
	Style Properties measurements are adjusted when you want to adapt a style due to ease preferences, when you need to make an adjustment because of your body shape (see Adjusting Style Properties), when you want to make an adjustment to change the length of the garment, the width of the pant leg, or other style preferences. Adjustments are made in model measurements to refine the fit after testing the fit with a trial garment, when you gain/lose weight, or when you re-measure a body measurement and find that the measurement was taken incorrectly.

5.	Do I have to print my patterns in PDF format? Can't I print them directly to the plotter?
	You can print directly to the plotter if your computer is connected to the plotter and you have the plotter driver loaded on your computer. Consider printing your patterns to PDF anyway, even if you don't print them; then file them away in case you want to refer back to a particular style variation that you haven't saved on your computer.

6.	My model does not look like the model in the Help manual. She is silvery gray with no underclothing, what is wrong?
	The problem is with the video card in your computer. First check that you have current video drivers for your computer. You may also want to call the Help desk for your brand of computer. Please check your computer specs with the computer requirements recommended.

7.	What is the first thing I should do when opening My Label Software?
	The first thing you should do is watch the slides of the First Time Help for an overview of the steps to My Label. Then you should go directly to help and read all the onscreen support that is included in the Help section. Reading and printing this material will teach you how to use the software, how to measure, how to select a flattering style and loads of other important information. Next, you should register your My Label software. Once you register, you will be informed of updates and new information.

8.	I already have a PDF writer on my computer. Do I have to install the one that is included with the security key?
	You may use the PDF writer that you have on your computer. Make sure to set it for the size of paper you are printing and make sure that the printer is set to print at 100% size, not "fit to page."

9.	I have opened a style and my Style Properties box disappeared and Piece Properties are showing in its place. How do I get them to return?
	The term, Piece properties, appears when you have one or more pieces of the pattern selected. Simply click anywhere on the gray workspace and your Style Properties should reappear.

10.	The shoulder slope on many of my patterns is extremely sloped, why is the happening and what can I do to correct this?
	When you have a long front length (CB neck to waist measurement) and a lower bust level, the software will give you the length you need by increasing the shoulder slope on patterns that do not have bust darts. To correct this, subtract 1-2 cm from your front length, decrease the shoulder slope to 3 cm, and increase your across shoulder measurement by 1 cm. This should correct the problem. These changes are made to Style Properties measurements. This happens to body shapes that are hourglass. The software maintains a certain ease at the waist. To make a gentler waistline curve on tops, dresses, and jackets, increase the waist measurement in the Style Properties by 1-2 cm.

11.	If I print to my home printer, doesn't it take an awfully long time to tape all the pieces together?
	Not really, especially if you have a large table to work on. (A cutting table works especially well.) The pieces are labeled so that A1, A2, A3, etc. go across the top; B1, B2, B3, etc. form the second row; C1, C2, C3, etc. form the third; and so on. If you've worked on the layout and placed the pattern pieces close together so that they use only 30-40 sheets of 8.5" x 11" paper, it generally takes less than an hour to tape them together (seems like even less if you're watching a movie or talking on the phone at the same time!).

12.	How many measurements are needed?
	47

13.	Is there a way to get Model Properties to appear after the model has been dressed in a style?
	You can toggle back and forth between Model Properties and Style Properties but the model needs to be undressed.

14.	When I installed the My Label fullversion I get this error message: "The Demo version is installed on this system. Please uninstall the demo version before running My Label installation." But I have uninstalled the demo version already. What's wrong?
	After uninstalling the Demo version, please be sure that the computer will be REBOOT before trying to install the full version.

15.	Do I have to check the "Update Style According to Model Measurements" each time I want to change a measurement?
	This box only needs to be checked once. All your changes can then be made to the model. To return the style back to the original model measurements, simply check the box again.

16.	I see there are 20 styles in the collection. How do I know what adjustments I can make to each style to make it look a little different?
	Each style has certain properties which can be adjusted. For example. It is possible to select the T.Shirt with either a long or short sleeve, finished length and sleeve width and with the gored skirt you can change the length and the width of the hem.

17.	A dip occurs in the back seam of my two-piece sleeve, how is this corrected?
	Increase the bicep measurement slightly to straighten the seam. See the information in the Adjusting Style Properties document. (Help/Measurement & Fitting Consultant/Adjusting Style Properties.)

18.	How do I know what My Label styles are good for me?
	Once you have entered your own measurements the 3D model will give you a good indication of the final look of the style. The Program comes also with an excellent help program including much information to assist you with using the program and getting good results. One of them is the Style Consultant. This includes helpful tips on body proportion and body shape, design elements and also garment proportions.

19.	How can I make sure that the PDF of my pattern will print correctly when I send it out to be printed on a plotter?
	First, open your PDF file and look at all the pages. Are the pages oriented so that the short ends (the width of the plotter paper) are at the top and bottom, and the long edges at the sides? Are all of the pattern pieces visible? Are they any blank pages? Delete any blank pages from the PDF file; otherwise you'll be charged for the paper even though nothing is printed on it. This is especially important if you've changed paper sizes; the 56 pages needed for printing on 8.5" x 11" paper might still be in the file – empty – after you switch to plotter size paper, and you'll be charged for dozens of blank pages. If the first page of the file is a map of how the pages should be assembled, delete it; with only a few pages to join together, you won't need a printed map. You can always look at it on your computer if you need to. Make sure that the PDF file is printed at full size: do not select "Shrink to Fit" or "Scale to Fit Page" or any similar option. The file must be printed at 100% of the original size.

20.	Why is it important to make the tunic style and the flared pattern first?
	To ensure you get a good fit with My Label it is recommended that you first "Qualify you Measurements" What this means is that you should make both these garments from a plain cotton fabric such as calico or muslin to test the fit. Once you try on the garment and it fits well you can then make other styles in the range and because they are based on the same block they should fit. Any alterations made to the style should be first changed in the style properties and then once the fit has been achieved saved in the style properties.

21.	When I save my pattern as a Cute PDF, how can I determine what size paper the printer will print it on?
	You must specify the paper size before saving the file as a Cute PDF. The pattern will always be printed in the saved size. For the "plotter" size choose the size that represents the width of the plotter. If your PDF file will be printed on a plotter: Before printing your file as a PDF, determine the size of the paper used by the plotter. This may mean contacting the company that will be printing your pattern. Typical plotter widths are 24", 36", and 42"; the length of each sheet may be predetermined, or you may be able to select a length to suit your pattern. Contact the company printing your pattern for recommended print sizes and other requirements. Example: The plotter at the local print house is 42" wide, and prints 60" sheets. Set your PDF writer for a custom page size of 42" x 60", with 42" as the "short" or "leading" edge. Example: The plotter at the local print house is 36" wide, and prints a continuous length. Depending on how much time you spend on your pattern layout you could either set your PDF writer for a custom page size of 36" x the total length needed to print all your pattern pieces on one page, or skip the math and set it for a custom page size of 36" x 60" and tape a few large pages together. (60" (5 feet) is a convenient size to work with, but you may prefer to work with a shorter or longer length of paper.)

22.	How do I change the pant leg width?
	Measure across the bottom of a pair of pants you like while they are flat. Record this measurement as Cuff Width in the Style Properties. Measure the pair of pants at the knee as well and record this measurement in the Preferred Knee Width measurement. You only need to put half of the actual pant measurement into the Style Property measurement.

23.	Do I really have to work with the 47 measurements?
	Yes, to achieve the best possible fit this is very important. It is something you only have to do once and then you will always have your measurements saved in the program for future use. As some of these measurements affect others in the software it is important to take them all.

24.	How many garments can I simulate on the model in one time?
	For best results it is recommended that simulation be limited to only one garment on the lower body and one garment on the upper body.

25.	Does the choice of fabric affect the simulation of the garment on the model?
	No. The fabric effect is only to show visually the "finished look".

26.	The simulation on the boxy jacket shows that the jacket is hiking up in the front. Why is this happening?
	Large busted ladies will have difficulty with this style because of the extremely long front length necessary to cover the bust. For some, using a soft, drapeable knit will work. For others, the bust is too large for the style to work properly without adding a dart.

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