Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We offer patterns for every skill level, from simple wallets and pouches to advanced travel bags and backpacks. Browse our full collection at vasileandpavel.com.

At minimum, you'll need: a cutting mat, a leather knife or rotary cutter, a round hole punch or stitching awl (matched to your pattern's hole spacing — 5mm on all current patterns, 6mm on our earliest releases), a mallet, waxed thread, and an edge beveler for finishing edges. We personally use and recommend the WUTA round hole punch.

For the PDF pattern, any standard PDF reader works — we recommend the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, since it handles print scaling correctly. If your pattern includes a DXF file, you'll need CAD or laser-cutting software such as LightBurn, AutoCAD, or Illustrator, depending on your machine.

As soon as your payment is confirmed, you'll receive an automatic email with your download link — this usually arrives within a few minutes. You can also view all of your purchased patterns anytime by logging into your account on our site and checking your Orders history. If you purchased through Etsy, your files are attached directly to your Etsy order under "Purchases and Reviews."

First, check your email's spam or promotions folder — delivery emails sometimes end up there. If you still can't find it, contact us at hello@vasileandpavel.com and we'll resend your files right away.

Please check the product title and the first line of the description carefully. Some "FREE" listings are for a single piece or add-on only — for example, a gusset or strap variant for a bag you already own — not the complete bag pattern. If a listing says "Free [Part Name] for [Bag Name]," it includes only that part; the full pattern for the base bag is a separate, paid listing.

We'll send you an email asking for a review. Just reply to that email with a link to the pattern you'd like as our thank-you gift, and we'll send it your way. Any pattern qualifies.

Yes — subscribe to our newsletter and we'll send you a free pattern to get you started, no code needed. Just check your inbox (and spam folder) after signing up.

Every current pattern PDF includes both an A4 version and a US Letter version, so you can print on whichever paper is standard where you live (a few of our oldest patterns are the exception). When you print, always use 100% scale, or "actual size" — never "fit to page" — and check the 1-inch (2.5 cm) reference square on the first page to confirm your printer didn't rescale it.

Yes — every pattern is designed to print on a standard home printer using regular A4 or US Letter paper. No plotter or special equipment needed. Just remember to print at 100%, or actual size, not "fit to page."

A DXF file is included with nearly all of our patterns — a few of our earliest releases don't have one yet. If your pattern doesn't include a DXF file, just contact us and we'll send it to you.

This is almost always a printer setting issue. Open the PDF and make sure your printer is set to "Actual size" or "100%" — never "Fit to page" or "Shrink to fit." If your printer's page orientation is locked to "Portrait," switch it to "Auto," or print from Adobe Acrobat Reader, which handles this correctly by default (get.adobe.com/reader). Always check the 1-inch (2.5 cm) reference square on the first page after printing — if it doesn't measure exactly right, your pattern isn't true to size and should be reprinted with corrected settings. If that doesn't solve it, contact us and we'll work through it together.

All of our patterns are designed for hand-stitching (saddle stitch) and include pre-punched or marked stitching holes at a standard spacing — 5mm on current patterns, 6mm on some older ones. A few of our patterns can also be machine-stitched; check the individual product description for machine-specific notes, or send us an email if you're not sure.

Recommended leather type and thickness are listed in each pattern's product description, and full details are also included in the materials and hardware guide inside your PDF.

Yes — stitching holes are marked directly on the pattern at a standard 5mm spacing for hand-stitching (6mm on some of our earliest patterns). On curved sections, the spacing sometimes changes slightly to allow for the thickness of the leather; in those spots, use a round hole punch and follow the marked line closely. We walk through this in the video tutorials.

Yes — every pattern includes a standard 3mm seam allowance already built in.

Each pattern's PDF includes a materials and hardware list with the exact sizes you'll need — zipper length and teeth size, ring dimensions, rivet sizes, and recommended thread thickness. Note that when we say "D-ring," the shape can sometimes be rectangular rather than round, so check the list for the specific size and shape. If anything looks unclear, contact us with the product name and we'll clarify.

Finished dimensions and details about interior pockets, gussets, and lining are listed in your pattern's materials and hardware guide, as well as in the product description. If you don't see them for a specific product, message us the product name and we'll send you the exact measurements.

Double-check that the code is entered exactly as shown (codes are case-sensitive, with no extra spaces) and applied before you click "Pay now." Some codes are product-specific or time-limited and won't apply outside the promotion. If the price still looks wrong, contact us with a screenshot of your cart and we'll make it right.

Because these are digital files delivered instantly, we're not able to offer refunds once a pattern has been downloaded. If something is genuinely wrong on our end — the wrong file, a broken link, a corrupted PDF — or if you were charged twice for the same pattern, contact us and we'll make it right.

Yes — you're welcome to sell finished items you make from our patterns. You may not resell, share, or republish the pattern files themselves.

Please tell us right away. Message us with the product name and a description or photo of the issue. We double-check every pattern, but mistakes can slip through — if you report a real error, we'll fix it and send you a free pattern of your choice as thanks for helping us improve.

A sold-out or temporarily unlisted pattern is usually a listing issue on our end, not a permanent removal. Message us the product name and we'll let you know when it's back — or send you the file directly if we still have it.

Yes — you can find us on Etsy under Vasile and Pavel, and the same catalog is also available directly on vasileandpavel.com. Buying directly from our site gets you faster support, with no Etsy fees added to our promotions.

Each product page lists exactly what's included under "What's Included" — typically a PDF pattern (in A0, A4, and US Letter sizes), a step-by-step instructional video, and, where noted, a DXF file for digital cutting. Not every listing includes all three, so check the specific product page before buying if you need a particular format.

All of our videos support subtitles, and you can turn them on in your own language right in the video player. We've put together a short video showing exactly how to set this up: watch here.

Not yet, but it's something we're considering for the future. If printed patterns would be useful to you, email us and let us know — customer interest helps us decide what to add next.

Yes — if we update or improve a pattern you already purchased through our Shopify store, you'll automatically receive the new files at no extra charge.

We don't offer custom modifications as a service, but many of our patterns can be resized on your own. As a general rule, you can scale a pattern up or down by up to 10%. Keep in mind that straps should usually stay at the original size, since hardware like buckles and rings comes in fixed standard sizes. Not every pattern can be adapted this way — email us the pattern name and we'll let you know what's possible.

Yes — join our leathercraft community of over 14,000 members on Facebook to share your projects, ask questions, and get tips from other makers. You can also follow us on Instagram (41,000+ followers) and subscribe to our YouTube channel (43,000+ subscribers) for new patterns, tutorials, and a look behind the scenes at the workshop.