earlylace

I want to make a quilt from Thimbleberries book called "Oh baby, baby. The squares were to small.(it was for a baby quilt) So I figured I could just double the measurements. I did that and the squares would not match. Since I am pretty new at this, is this the case with doubling quilt patterns, when you double it, it doesn't work?? Well my quilting girlfriend, laid it all out and figured out how to do it. She had to re configure the whole block for me so i could use the pattern. We worked on it for 3 hours and she did it, what an amazing friend!

scowlkat

It's so nice to have someone else to share our passion with and many many times I too have had to call on them for help! So glad you have such a wonderful friend!

CoyoteQuilts

Yep, doubling just doesn't cut it with quilt blocks. Not all pieces are created equal...... There are several online tools to change block sizes, some have been posted here. I can't for the life of me remember what words to use for a search----can anybody jump start this old brain of mine with the answer?

candi

I am new too,but I think that say if the pattern is just using 2" squares and you decided to use 4" squares, it would work. However, if it mixes HST and QST and other variations, you'll need to figure out the measurements to get the final sizes all the same.

What a nice friend you have.

earlylace

Still can't get my head around why that doesn't work!!!!!

nycquilter

hi, the problem likely was that you simply doubled the size of the block. Instead, you have to subtract the seam allowances, then double, then re-add the seam allowances, then cut. For example, if you were to cut 3" blocks and want to double...3 less 1/2 inch leaves you with a 2-1/2" finished block. Double to 5" and add back the seam allowance, so 5-1/2" to be cut. That should work well.

earlylace

makes me dizzy thinking about it!!!!

candi

Ok, I am going to give a hypothetical example here. Say the pattern is for friendship star with 5 squares cut into 2.5", and four HSTs cut into 3" squares. The pattern as is (after trimming) will give you all unfinished squares to be 2.5" and they'll fit together to make the block.
Now if you doubled the size, cutting the plain squares into 5", and the the squares to make your HSTs into 6", the unfinished size for the HST blocks will be 5.5" and they'd be bigger than your plain squares. Of course it is a bad example because you could trim HSTs down easily, but I hope this kind of males sense, lo.

clem55

Was just doing this last night, it was hard enough with just three sizes of squares and rectangles. No way will I ever attempt more than that!!

BevF

I agree!