I want to enlarge a pattern, but do not know how. It is strips, and each strip is 1.5" wide, 1" after sewing, with varying lengths from 1 to 4 inches. I want to increase the width either 1/2 or 1 inch, how do I proportionately increase the length of each strip?

Misty

go ahead and add the length you desire. If the original has made provision for the quarter inch seam allowance...then you will be fine...fi not don't forget to add it.

Sorry, Misty, M'dear. You're going to have to do some math if you want to add length proportional to the added width.

Let's say you increase width from 1.5" to 2". the extra half inch is 1/3 the original size. so your new length should be 1-1/3 times the old length.
since i've never seen a ruler that divides inches into thirds, you'll have to round up or down.

of course, without seeing the pattern i can't even guess whether the rounded sizes will work. try these with scraps of paper to test.

do you have a printer that will enlarge for you? if not use grid paper, this should help.

Misty... :? my misread.....Patrice is right...sorry for the wrong info. You would have to keep the same ratio as the original for each inch or 1/2 inch added. so if the strip is 1 1/2 by 4 1/2 and you wanted to increase it....say 1 " then you would end up with 3 1/2 by 7 1/2. Using the table Patrice gave will help you immensely

I use the enlarge setting found on nearly every copier. If 25% larger looks like the new size I want on paper, then I use the new measurements and increase fabric requirements by the percent chosen. This is how I change sketches into applique patterns too.

I don't blame you for wondering. http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/1.gif

Here is a nifty site to recalculate block sizes. http://www.quiltcollections.com/bb-intro.htm Good luck.

piney