Shrinking a Pattern
 

I want to make my own sampler quilt. I do not have EQ7 yet (not till after christmas). So I was wondering, if I have a pattern and it makes a 12" block, can I divide the measurements in half and end up with the 6" block I want? Maybe I am being too simplistic this time, but normally I over think things so going with the simple approach first. I am not in a big rush so if its not this simple, I will just wait till I get my EQ7, rather than spend the time on the math (yes lazy i know).

Thanks in advance!

Is this something you can make a single test block out of paper to see if cutting the measurements in half give you the 6" square you want? Don't forgot the seam allowances.

In general, no, you can't just cut the measurements in half. For cutting fabric, you can (1) subtract 1/2" for seam allowances, (2) cut the measurement in half, and (3) add back in the 1/2" seam allowance, but this only works for rectangular patches, not for triangles or other shapes.

Could you reduce the pattern pieces by 50% on a copy machine, increas the seam allowance back to 1/4 inch and all the pieces still fit together as they should?

With applique patterns you can do that because applique pattern pieces are provided in finished size.

Usually for pieced patterns you have to take the *finished* size of each piece, cut that by 50%, then add on a/4" seam allowance to each side.

Yes. If you are talking about finished size of the block you may divide it however you wish. Just be sure to add the 1/4" seam allowances on all sides of each pattern piece.

I know you will love your EQ. Christmas isn't that far away.

ali

i know (in our minds) it should work- but it really does not- you do have to first subtract the seam allowance- then divide- then add it back in- and here's an example to show you why---
say you have a 5 1/2" (unfinished block)
divided in half = 2 3/4 {5.5 / 2 = 2.75}
when you remove the seam allowance first you have a 5" block- divided by 2 = 2 1/2" + 1/2" seam allowance- block size is 3" {5" / 2 = 2.5 + .5 = 3"} your block would not come out right if you cut 2 3/4" instead of 3"---you have to remove the seam allowance first- do the math- then add it back in like Dunster said.

Thank you. I figured it wouldnt be just a "divide and conqueor" type of thing since the seam allowance issue kept bothering me too, but I overthink things usually and figured I would ask before I started wacking away at fabric. :)


Since the sampler quilt is not even planned out yet (I dont even know which blocks and what fabrics I will be using), I'll just hold off for a couple of months. I havee plenty of other projects both sewing and non-sewing to keep me busy till next Christmas, much less this one.

Thank you all again. Everyone is always so helpful and quick to respond.

I find it helps to draw out the pattern on graph paper. If I am really confuzzled by it, I will draw it out out in real size. Then it is a simple thing to add the seam allowances.

Have you seen the BOM from Common Threads Quilting called Sarah's Folly? It looks like a really nice scrappy sampler quilt.

This is what I do -- I draw the block on graph paper using one square per inch) and then, if I want to reduce the whole block by half I simply count 2 blocks per inch to get my new measurement.