labyrinth whole cloth quilt
 

I am starting to plan my first ever whole cloth quilt. I am having problems getting my pattern enlarged. I want to do a labyrinth design (see photo). But all I can do is print this photo on my home computer. how do I blow it up to a full sized pattern (twin quilt). I was thinking about taking it to a kinkos-type store. Any one have some brillant idea to get this picture from a 8x10 to a twin quilt without spending any $$?

Could you enlarge it in sections or quadrants? Then tape it back together perhaps.

delma

scan it- enlarge it to the size you want then print it off in sections which you then need to tape together-
or
i picked up an inexpensive projector from joannes---i can put a picture that size on the projector plate and project it onto a wall- about any size i want- hang my pattern paper on the wall- project image- then trace- it's not a great projector- but it does the job (cost about $27 i think---might be less expensive than Kinko's and you have it for future use.

There may be a program on your computer that will let you print out in poster size (it prints on sections of paper that you can tape back together).

I recently used a pdf file for a pattern on a 50" square quilt. I went to Staples and they enlarged it to 36" square which was the largest they could go. That cost me less than $8 Can. It was worth it.

I did the same thing at Kinko's, cost was the same. Biggest printer they have uses 36" paper. You can print out 2 halves and tape them together.

My printer has a "poster" print option. For my avatar eagle, I blew it up hugely on my printer and taped. However, I rather suspect that your maze will not be sufficient for your quilt unless you are planning to add onto the top and bottom and do some sort of intricate work between the lines. Since this is your first whole cloth, I would sugggest a wall hanging or lap quilt. Another way you can go is to get sheets of freezer paper. (I buy it by the roll) If, for example, I wanted to make 3 copies of a maze quadrant, I would iron, baste or staple 4 sheets at the corners sew the pattern with a threadless (old, dull, large) needle, thus copying my top piece onto the other 3. You would then need to go back and mark in the junctures, I suspect. Since you would then have all the points as small holes, you could use a chalk ponce to transfer the pattern thru those holes to the fabric.

WOW I love this design! I finally caved and bought a projector . I don't live cloce to and crafty type stores so I ordered online from hobbylobby . There was a 40 percent off coupon so it was only 17.99 plus 6.99 shipping . It would be perfect for this project
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/store/ite...?ItemId=151240

Beautiful idea, Chratres's Labyrinth is an amazing place. I'd visited (I'm living in France) and it has a very special energy! I hope we'll see pictures of your quilt! Bravo !
Patricia (from Southern France)

Having enlarged dozens of patterns.........go to a printer that has the large machines and talk to them.
You can have it done in sections. Discuss with them the issue of correct porportion when enlarged.
This is the best and fastest way to do it. To me the home computer is aggrivating. Some might be able to do it but I can't and don't have the time.

Having said all that above....here is an alternative.
Draw a diagram on graft paper of the top of the bed. Twin is 39"x78" or there about.
If you take 20" off top for pillow then you have 39"x58" area for the design.
If you leave about 6" on either side then you have a circle of 27". Balance the center.
Assuming this then.
Try to find some kind of measuring stick that has holes in it that you can use like a compas.
If not then bore holes in a wooden yardstick at each 1" or even 1/2". Use this to draw your circles.
Make one template for the curved ends.........and you have it redrawn to the size you need. Work on only 1/2 of the design and flip for mirrow image. Draw the verticle stem in the lower center. This will define the size of the other channels. Does this make sense and help? All you need is ruler or straight edge of about 18" to use as a compas.

I use EQ7, but I'm pretty sure you can enlarge on Excel as well. I've seen a tutorial somewhere...on this board maybe?

My concern with having a printer enlarge is that the image might get distored in the repeated enlargments. If 1/2 of the design is used and is originally on an 8x10 paper then it will be about 4" It might take three or four enlargments after that to get the 1/2 to around 12", 13" or 14" needed. As the printed if it is possible.

I'm not sure what you're saying, but I've never had a problem. I enlarge to the size I want only 1 time (maintaining "aspect ratio") and it prints on as many sheets as it needs for that size. After printing, you just tape the pages together and voila!

yes enlarge 1/4 of it only. then make more copies and paste together. looks like a great idea for a quilt!

I can see this being a problem if you're using a photocopier to enlarge your design, especially if you end up using different copiers, because they all enlarge at slightly different rates. But this should not be an issue if you're simply printing from a file.

Here's how I enlarged my design. I scanned my photo, imported it into EQ, then used the "trace" feature and traced the lines. I saved it onto a thumb drive, took it into Kinko's, and told them how large I wanted it. The Kinko's employee did the computer work needed to get it oriented and sized correctly, and it printed on a printer that uses 36" wide paper on a roll, so it prints however long you need it. The size I requested was easily printed with just one pass, but if I had needed it wider than 36", the employee would have divided the image in half, printed out both halves, and then I would have just taped or glued it together.

The whole project ended up costing me only $10, which I thought very reasonable.