Altering a Quilt Kit
 

I have never purchased a quilt kit before now. I couldn't resist this one because it is my favorite quilt ever, and I've always wanted to make it. I don't usually following patterns either so this will be a challenge for me.

Here is the problem... the competed quilt finishes at 96" square. That is an unusable size for me. I don't have a bed or a wall that it will fit on. It includes a paper pattern for the applique pieces and size outline that the blocks should finish. Accuracy is crucial to a successful completion.

Does anyone know if I could take the paper pattern to a copy store, have it reduced by 20 percent, and still have the pattern come out accurately?

they may not due to copyright issues - unless you can just go and do it yourself and then pay for the paper you use.

Sometimes the papers are printed in a way that you won't have room to redraw the seam allowance. This is not a big deal if you remember that you need to leave more on the edges than you have paper for.

I've enlarged and reduced quite a bit, as long as you keeping in mind that you are reducing the finished size and then add back for seam allowance, it works fine.

Just curious.....which pattern are you making? It might be that you could just omit a row and get the same effect. Of course, I know you have probably already looked at that. Another thing to think about is if it comes with the newspaper type pattern for sewing on, that is a lot easier to use than printing paper. If you could use a larger quilt, I would think about adding a border(s) of some kind.

It is a lone star pattern with a complicated setting. The setting pieces would not come out right if the lone star was made smaller. It would have to be made smaller uniformly.

The paper pattern is not for sewing through. It is on one hugh piece of sturdy paper and the instructions are to trace the outlines out on your own paper. The previous response mentioned the copy store may not want to copy the pattern. They wouldn't know it was copyrighted if I brought them my tracing of the pattern.

I need to make it smaller... not bigger.

I would think that would be fine to make it smaller. You want to make it, not sell it. Go get it done and then show pics when you make a block!

Sounds like you have it figured out Jenn. Do you have one of the add-a-quarter rulers to use to trim up your seams and keep them uniform? https://www.amazon.com/CM-Designs-Co.../dp/B003W0PNX4 There are YouTube videos to show how it is used.

If there are no noticeable names on the pattern sheet or anything saying copyright, the copy shop may be good with reducing it for you. Also, I enlarged a pattern and I was able to get an email from the designer giving me her approval. That was several years ago, but the copy shop did accept the email.

I love the Lone Star quilts but hate trying to match up all those seams. I just can't go with the galloping horse idea. I really look forward to seeing yours.

I have one of the add-a-quarter rulers that I use for paper piecing, but this pattern is not paper pieced.

I'm not concerned with the copywrite issue at the copy store. They won't know that I have traced the pieces of a copywrited pattern.

My question is will the reduced copy of the pattern setting pieces be accurate. The instructions call for 2.5" strips of fabric to make the lone star. Reducing that by 20 percent is 2" strips. I don't know if reducing the copy of the setting diagrams will fit the lone star since reducing something on a copy machine is not 100 percent accurate.

I'm afraid of going down that road and finding out that the copies of the setting pieces won't fit. That would waste the $350 that I paid for the kit. Maybe I should try doing it on cheaper fabric first.

Ok, having read all the notes, I say..... Make the quilt as directed. It will be the easiest way. Even if you don't have a bed that the quilt fits. Drape it over the couch, hang it on the wall. Some of those applique pieces may be quite small of you reduce them. Just my 2 cents.

I'd love to hang it on the wall... it's gorgeous, and it would be a shame not to show it in its entirety, but I don't have a wall that is big enough.

I agree with this. Copy machines or scanners don't always reduce accurately so you could be okay. Or not.