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Projecting Patterns

Calibrate with a measuring tape

Calibrate directly on your fabric or projection surface without using a cutting mat.

Overview

The measuring-tape method lets you calibrate directly on your fabric, floor, table, or another projection surface.

It is useful when you do not have a gridded cutting mat or when you want to project over a larger area.

Before You Start

You will need:

  • A ruler or measuring tape
  • Your projector connected to your device
  • A flat projection surface

Do not move the projector after calibration.

Steps

1. Open the calibration flow

Open Sewsy, press Projector pattern, and choose the file you want to project.

If this is your first time calibrating

Sewsy starts the calibration setup automatically.

  1. 1Confirm that your projector is connected and positioned.
  2. 2Tap Continue.
  3. 3Choose Use a measuring tape.

If you have calibrated before

The pattern opens immediately.

Tap Recalibrate in the top right.

If you need to switch methods

If you used the cutting-mat method last time:

  1. 1Tap the ••• menu in the top toolbar.
  2. 2Choose Change calibration method.
  3. 3Choose Use a measuring tape.

2. Resize the calibration rectangle

Step 1 of 6 shows a rectangle on the screen.

Resize the rectangle so it fits comfortably on your physical projection surface.

Choose the largest practical area you can measure accurately.

3. Measure each projected line

Steps 2 to 6 project one line at a time:

  • Top
  • Right
  • Bottom
  • Left
  • Diagonal

Measure each projected line carefully with your ruler or measuring tape.

After measuring a line, tap Enter measurement in the top right.

Enter the measurement exactly as it appears on the physical surface.

Make sure the correct unit is selected before continuing.

4. Review the calibration

On the final screen, Sewsy projects rectangles at different sizes so you can check the calibration.

Measure the rectangles on your projection surface. They should match the sizes shown in the app.

5. Adjust if needed

If the review measurements are not correct, adjust the calibration before saving.

You can:

  • Open the Edit measurements tab and correct the values you entered
  • Tap the back arrow in the toolbar to return to an earlier calibration step

6. Save the calibration

When the review measurements are accurate, tap Save to start projecting the pattern.

Sewsy remembers this calibration for future sessions.

Tips

Measure across a larger distance when possible. Small measuring errors have a greater effect over short distances.

Keep the measuring tape straight and flat against the surface.

Use the review screen to verify the calibration before cutting your fabric, especially after changing the projector setup.

If you want to clear the saved calibration and start over completely, tap the ••• menu in the top toolbar and choose Reset calibration.

Troubleshooting

The measurements are inconsistent

Check that the ruler or measuring tape is straight and that you are measuring the exact endpoints of each projected line.

One direction is accurate but the other is not

Repeat the calibration and carefully remeasure both horizontal and vertical lines.

The verification measurement is still wrong

Repeat the calibration using longer measurement lines where possible. Keep the measuring tape straight, measure from the exact endpoints, and enter horizontal and vertical measurements carefully.

The measurements change in different parts of the surface

Check that the projection surface is flat and that the projector is stable. An uneven surface or a projector positioned at an extreme angle can make calibration less consistent.

The calibration changes between sessions

Make sure the projector has not moved. Changes to its height, angle, zoom, or focus may require recalibration.

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