I am often asked for help by a quilter wanting to change the size of a quilt pattern. Perhaps it's too big. Perhaps it's too small. How do you increase or decrease a quilt to be size you want?
Let's look at Laurel Ridge, the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW. As designed the quilt is 90" square:
For some people, this is too large and they want to make it smaller. How do you convert a pattern from LARGE to SMALL?
1. Make the blocks smaller: this works with larger blocks, say 10" or larger, but these blocks are only 5". Making them 2.5" finished would be quite a challenge.
2. Make fewer blocks. Because this quilt is a Medallion-style, it makes sense to keep the middle the same and work out until the quilt is the size you want.
I played around with EQ8 for some possibilities. The middle would remain the same as the original pattern. I didn't draw it, you can imagine it there. This quilt is 52" square with a 1" border on the outside. It can easily be enlarged with more or wider borders:
More borders, now it's 62" square:
Let's add another row of blocks. The blank spaces are for the applique yet to come. I am replacing those blocks with pieced blocks so will save that REVEAL for a few more weeks. It is 62" square now, an outer border would easily enlarge it:
What if you don't want a square quilt? Add additional borders on the top and bottom to lengthen it. Now it's 74" x 80":
Your first decision should be the finished size of the quilt. Once that is set, more or less, play with a variety of options until you say "Aha! That's just what I want"!
Here is one more example. For many years I planned to make this quilt, designed and made by Catherine Butterworth, who lives in Australia:
I called it "Diamond Jubilee" and expected to have it done by MY Diamond Jubilee--my 60th birthday. That was more than 10 years ago and here is what I have today:
It may get a little bigger, and a pieced border is definitely in the plan:
None of this is set in stone just yet. Why did it get smaller? I no longer need another King or Queen size quilt. This has been incubating for so MANY years it is just time to get it done. While I still love Catherine's original, my blocks just aren't speaking to me any more. So my current plan is to have three more Feathered Star blocks, then decide on block placement, sashing color, pieced borders--style and colors--and then get this one DONE in 2025. Finished is better than perfect.
If you have a pattern you like, don't be afraid to "tweak" it a bit to make it your own. Always be sure to credit the original designer on the label--you DO PUT A LABEL on ALL YOUR QUILTS, RIGHT??!!
Let's quilt.
Barbara
Timely topic for me. I struggle sometimes to do even one thing not included in a written pattern. I've started working on quilts for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which ideally needs twin-sized quilts. I realize with additional top and bottom borders I can make a quilt the needed length without having to make more squares. YEA! for borders.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I don't really like having works in progress; not in knitting, not in quilting. I like to go long and deep on one project, but that's not always practicable, especially when baby quilts are needed. Have you written about how you decide to devote time when multiple projects are involved? Right now I have one long-term project in the works, one baby quilt with a due date and one charity quilt. I'm toying with the idea of mornings for one quilt, afternoons for the other, but maybe that's alternating days? Like you, my days are fairly structured, even in retirement.
ReplyDeleteInteresting question, Phyllis. I usually work on the one with the most pressing deadline. This year I am concentrating on finishing two BUCKET LIST quilts from years ago. No new starts until those tops are done.
DeleteI easily have a dozen quilts in progress that will get done. A few I have sold or given away when the thrill was gone. Now I work on what makes me happiest at the moment.
DeleteThis is very timely indeed. I have spent this month organizing all of my projects and figuring out what to work on and when. I have about 20 unfinished projects. I would like to say I'm not going to start anything new, but I already have started a new project! However, I am going to finish several of these projects this year. I am organizing my time by week/weekend. Since the BOM comes out on the 1st, I am going to work on it during the first week of the month. I am going to use the weekends to work on another quilt (currently the Kona 2025 BOM). I also have a hand work project (currently the arches in the border for the 2024 BOM) that I work on at night while watching TV before bed. I have picked up my granny square blanket project because it is a great take along project to do while I take the kids to all of their activities. I will pick two more projects to work on for the other weeks, giving me a week a month for any catchup that I might need to do. I am trying to get a total of 5 quilts completely done by the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an excellent plan, getting several done and not getting bored.
DeleteBarbara, Pauline here I have found a product that you put a light spray on the back of your quilting ruler's that make them non-slip. It's called Grippy by Odif & Is acid free too. I don't know how long it lasts as I've only just now used it on a cheapy ruler to see if it works & now just waiting to see how long it lasts with constant use of the rulers. It does dry translucent.
ReplyDeleteOthers recommended the same product. Good to know it works.
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