increase pattern size
 

I have a pattern for a quilt that measures 54 X 54 and is made with 6 inch blocks. How would I go about increasing the size so I can make the blocks and overall quilt larger.

I see two options. Either make the block larger OR just make more blocks. Do you know how large you want the finished quilt to be? If just a LITTLE larger, what about additional boarders?

Remember if you are increasing the block size, adjust the size of the finished pieces and add the seam allowance to that

Such an important detail. Thank you!

Block?
 

Can you post block name or a picture? Many blocks are published in multiple sizes. Since you have a 6 inch block. As mentioned by JulienM1, 180 blocks would give you a nice 72x90 inch quilt.

I do this a lot. Some patterns are just too small for my liking so I make more blocks and/or borders.

I agree SusieQOH. Quilts get a lot more use if the are long enough and wide enough. Even for children, the will outgrow them!

I love the patterns and books that give multiple sizes. I know I could do the math, but it so nice to the calculations already done. Hint Hint! It is true that sometimes what is an added draw to a particular book or pattern is just that!

Oh yes, I love patterns with multiple sizes!

Also an important thing to remember is as you increase size you increase fabric needed. In a 7 x 9 setting (63 blocks) if you increase block number say one block on the side and one on the bottom you increase the number of blocks by 17 over 25% and would need that much extra fabric.

(I'm glad someone can do math!)

I am working on a quilt top right now, a Pineapple Block Quilt, and what I am doing is making more blocks. It went from 20 blocks to 30 blocks to 42 blocks. Right now I am on block 35. They are 10" blocks. I haven't decided yet if I want it larger or not. Once I lay it out at 42 blocks I will know. I would consider adding more blocks or a border or even 2 borders to make it larger. A lot of your decision is going to depend on what your pattern is.

As DebLuvs mentioned, if it's a traditional block, you can often find it in more than one size somewhere.

If that's the case, let us know the name and I'm sure someone here canhelp you out.

Watson

There are several ways to make a quilt larger.
You could make more blocks or bigger blocks. You could
also add sashing between the blocks and/or add a few borders.

Merryj,
I would make the blocks at least 10”. Is it a quilt with all the same block? Or multiple different blocks? What’s the name of your pattern? I change the size of blocks to suit me. Give me more info and I can walk you through it.

I make sure I have at least 4 or 5 yds. of fabric before I start a quilt or decide if I want to use two other colors with it. Then I am sure I have enough fabric. Nothing worse than not having enough. Sometimes impossible to match/find fabric you have had for a while.

you don't give specifics on how much bigger you want blocks and quilt--if you double the size of the 6" blocks (all pcs.) it would give you a 12" block--and double the quilt size. without having to add any blocks. If you made them into 9" blocks and added 1/3 the measurement of the pieces( for example a 1" sq. would be 1 1/3" ), it would increase the quilt size by 1/3 without adding blocks.

it is chained 9 patch quilt pattern by Pat Campbell. I would like to go from 6 inch to 8 or 10 inch blocks.

Looking at the pattern, I would be inclined to make more blocks. I think the final product would have a lot more drama. It is an interesting pattern. It reminds me of a garden trellis.

Someone with more experience, please check me, but I came up with:
9 inch block
3-1/2 inch squares
10 inch half square triangle
Stripped half square triangle approx.
3-3/16" paper piece template (3-3/4" cut strips)

12 inch block
4-1/2 inch squares
13 inch half square triangle
Stripped half square triangle approx.
4-3/16" paper pieced template (4 3/4" cut strips)

I agree GingerK, more blocks would make additional meandering chains! Beautiful pattern. Thanks for sharing!

Deblovesquilting said it pretty good.

thanks so much everyone! I love the pattern but I want it bigger to fit my queen bed.

One think to keep in mind is that increasing the size of any block pattern is better if you do it in multiples of the original size pattern. For instance, a 6 inch block can more easily be increased to any multiple of 3 because this is the lowest divisible measurement. So 3, 6, 9, 12, 15. 18, etc is good. Going from 6 to 10 creates some really funky cutting measurements. A 4 inch block is easily divided by 2, making possible blocks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. Ironically, if you are changing an 8 inch block, then your sizes would be 4, 8, 12, 16. A 10 inch block would be multiples of 5. Now there are always exceptions to every rule, whether you are quilting or whatever.

Second item. What I like about your pattern is that it is very balanced. If you want to upsize it, making a larger block is the easiest way to do it. The pattern is an 8x8 grid which is 8x6=48" square. If you upsize it to a 9 inch block, that would be 9x8=72 inch square. A queen bed is typically 68x78 inches, so this would just cover the top of the bed. If you upsize the block to 12 inches, then 8x12= 96 inches square. This might be the size you want.

Another option would be to keep the block as a 6 inch block and add another pattern to both the width and the length. You would need a 12x12 grid. So, 12x6=72. Once again, not big enough. Upsizing to 9 inch blocks will give you 9x12= 96. Now you are back to the original grid but could use the 12 inch block and not have to make as many.

I like borders on my quilts, so I would probably make the 9 inch blocks which results in a 72 inch square and add borders to upsize to the size I want.

This is a cool pattern! I drew it up in EQ to play a bit.

I would stick with 6 inch blocks and just make more. If you increase it to 12x12 blocks (72"x72"), it would look like this:
Attachment 632005

I like seeing more of the chain pattern. You could then add borders to bring it to the size you want.

Once I drew it out, I wanted to close up the loops. I added another round of background squares and paper pieced blocks, like this:
Attachment 632006

That appeals to me, but the finishing blocks are a bit too pointy. I modified them a bit, and got this:
Attachment 632007

This layout is 84"x84", so would make a good queen quilt by adding 6-12 inches of borders (total).

I agree with everyone that it is pretty easy to just add more blocks or wider borders.

I agree with you. I really like your last variation. Thanks for sharing it.

I love your variations Jennifer23 that you did in EQ. I've saved them just in case I ever decide to make this quilt. I do like the finished design a lot.