Making a block smaller . . . how?
 

I am new at this and have to design a block for a class I am taking. If the teacher explained how to do this I missed it completely. I found a block that is 12" finished that I really like and would like to use the design in my quilt. I don't know how to make the cuts the right size to make the block smaller. Can someone out there help me with this. I feel so confused that I can't figure this out myself.

I can't sew one together the right size, and I know I couldn't make one bigger or smaller.LOL

here are a couple of links that may help you... if you use the copier to reduce the size, subtract the seam allowance first, reduce the percentage, then add the seam allowance back on
http://www.quiltmaker.com/articles/R...ocks_Worksheet
http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilting-sewing/quilt-math-how-to-reduce-and-enlarge-quilt-blocks/

Thanks, Nancy. I found the second one especially helpful. :thumbup:

Can you post a pic so we can see the block? some one may already have it in the size you need.

If it is an appliqued blocks, you just need to enlarge or reduce is to the correct percentage. But that would be too easy. Read this article from here and see if it helps.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/resources/article-27.html

if you still need help, PM me with the name of or a picture of the pattern for the block and the size it is now and the size you want it and I will do my best to wak you through the steps.

PLEASE!!! Do yourself an enormous favor and get a graph paper pad that has 4 squares to the inch, Walmart has them. Also buy or find a 6" plastic school ruler, sharp pencils, and a package of colored pencils.

Sit down with this pad and look at a simple 9 patch block....like a rolling star or a shoofly or churn dash.
Draw a 6" square on your pad.
Draw vertical and horizontal lines at 2 inches and 4 inches to make this a 9 patch.
Draw the diagonal lines to complete the block.

Now.....Draw a 3 inch square on another page the pad.
Draw vertical lines and horizontal lines at 1 inch and 2 inch to make a 9-patch.
Draw the diagonal lines to complete the block.

Are these blocks different? No, but they are different sizes, right?

If you had only enough room to draw a 3 inch square for your 6 inch block, you could still figure the size of the cuts by realizing that each square within the 9-patch would have to be 2 inches…… 2 + 2 + 2 = 6”

AND, you can also figure what the cuts would be if you wanted, say, a 12" block. Each square of the 9-patch would have to be 4 inches. 4 + 4 + 4 = 12”

Now, I look at each square (or 'cut' as I call it) and know that I will have to add 1/4" on opposite sides for the seam allowance.....4" + ¼” + ¼” seam allowances = 4 & 1/2" cut squares. [or for the 6” block, the cuts would have to be?????? 3" + ¼” + ¼” = 3 & ½” cut squares.

For the next few days look for blocks that you like.
Draw the the block on your graph pad by drawing only the left and top sides of the block instead of a whole square.

Start in the upper left corner and draw in the sections of the block just as you see it in the picture of the block that you have found.
Then, assign how many graph paper squares equal 1 inch.

Using this technique will eventually allow you to make any block any size you wish! If you can “find the block,” you can draw the quilt and make it yourself without a pattern if you wanted to.

Jan in VA

you're welcome... glad i could help

Great idea, Jan! Simple and inexpensive to do.

I love math, but I'm extremely lazy so I have EQ6 and want EQ7 the newest. I'm asking for the upgrade for my Xmas "toy". Two or 3 keystrokes and it converts whatever block to the size you want. Also computes how many blocks you need for the size quilt you want, how much fabric, allows you to alter quilt to perfect size by quickly changing sashing sizes or adding or changing borders. I had a computer trojen horse virus, caused my EQ not to work when computer came back from shop - thought I was going to loose it till the EQ people helped me get it up and running again. Not cheap but oh so much fun and so much help.