change sizes of pattern
 

I am trying to make a sailboat quilt but the patterns I find are for 12 1/2 sqs I need 6 1/2 or 8 1/2. How do you get the ratio right on the rectangles? The patterns I like are http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-...quilt?page=0,2 or http://prettylittlequilts.blogspot.c...l-part-iv.html. I am using this info to make the rectangles http://athousandneedles.com/2014/05/...gle-triangles/. I like math but this is hard. Thanks

Take the size you want and divide by 12.5. 6.5 divided by 12.5 = 52% 8.5=68% make a copy of the diagram for the quilt at 52 or 68% (you might have to add seam allowances) and you will have the sizes needed for the pieces.

I think I would get some graph paper and redraw the block rather than trying to do the math on the original cutting and assembly instructions. It looks like the 2 sail rectangles are different sizes & proportions. After you get the drawing where you want it, I would just paper piece the 2 rectangles with the sails.

When this pattern was picked she liked that is was not just rows of boats but didn't like the HST sails. http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-...ilt?page=0%2C0. I didn't think it would be so hard to do the rectangles. I also thought about doing applique ones but thinking about crosshatching quilting. Do you quilt over applique? I am not too good at FMQ.

I am not an experienced quilter so my suggestion or comment may be way off the wall. Please correct me before I really screw something up because this is what I was going to do with a pattern that I want to reduce. Why can't you take your pattern to a place like UPS or the local print shop and have it reduced to the size you want? Since all the pieces will be reduced by the same percent, wouldn't they all fit together like the original size did?

I use graph paper. But then I rarely leave a pattern original :P

If you have a scanner, you can reduce your pattern. That is what I did before Electric Quilt program came out. One of the features that makes having this program so handy to own.

Did you check at quilterscache.com ? They often have blocks at different sizes. It is a free site and very useful.

The other way would be to make the triangle block and cut it down to size you want. Just remember to line up your diagonal line with the one on the block to keep it all on the straight of grain. Any smaller size would be possible to square it down to.

It would also shrink down your seam allowances so you would have to redraft them at the ¼"

This is super helpful!! Thanks!