If you are having trouble printing the pattern do not despair. Becky and I have some solutions.
We originally wrote this in 2016. Revised in 2020.
Evil printer
1---Get someone to advise you on coordinating your printer with your computer. This will make your life easier in the long run. You know----long term gain versus short term pain.
2. Naah! You are looking for a short term fix.
Self Portrait with Proportional Scale by
Sofonisba Anguissola (1532-1635)
A little Photoshopping
I recall when every artist had one of these simple cardboard wheels on her drafting table.
If the square that is supposed to be 1 inch measures 1-1/2" you need to reduce the page by 66%. Tell your printer to print it at 66%.
Another option is to reprint it on a copy machine at 66%.
2B. Figure it out mathematically.
Becky sez: "If you don't have a "wheel" you can do the math:
Desired size divided by present size = percentage of change.
Example: 1" divided by 1.5 = 66.66%.
2C. Use a digital proportion wheel.
This is an online tool that will do the math for you. Try Knight Printing's calculator from Fargo.
Adjust your printer to print at the correct percentage.
Look at this whole thing as an opportunity for personal growth.
Or buy the pattern. You can buy it as a PDF to print yourself. Or I will print the whole pattern out for you and mail it to you. See my Etsy shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarbaraBrackmanShop?ref=l2-shopheader-name
Personal growth can be a good thing, but would I have to wear a gold crown and carry flowers if I participate?
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to draft hexagons with a ruler and a compass. I'M going to bypass the printer.
ReplyDelete1. Set compass to radius of 4". Marking the center point in which you stick the compass, make the 8" diameter circle.
2. Leaving exact same compass setting as Step one, mark a point on the circle, stick the compass point in it and draw an arc that intersects the circle.
3. Place point of compass where the arc of step 2 intersects the circle and praw another arc that intersects the circle. Repeat until you have marked 6 point on your circle which if carefully done will be evenly spaced.
4. Use ruler and draw lines across the circle (but NOT thru the middle) to connect alternate points -- three lines makes a big triangle connecting three point on the circle. Repeat by connecting the remaining three dots on the circle, you have two interlocking triangles.
5 To complete the "star" use the ruler to draw a line from the center of the circle to each point where the triangles intersect. You should have the six 60 degree diamond star points.
6. To complete the large hexagon, connect each outer point of the stars.
7. Erase guide lines and arcs.
It's easy to draft hexagons with a ruler and a compass. I'M going to bypass the printer.
ReplyDelete1. Set compass to radius of 4". Marking the center point in which you stick the compass, make the 8" diameter circle.
2. Leaving exact same compass setting as Step one, mark a point on the circle, stick the compass point in it and draw an arc that intersects the circle.
3. Place point of compass where the arc of step 2 intersects the circle and praw another arc that intersects the circle. Repeat until you have marked 6 point on your circle which if carefully done will be evenly spaced.
4. Use ruler and draw lines across the circle (but NOT thru the middle) to connect alternate points -- three lines makes a big triangle connecting three point on the circle. Repeat by connecting the remaining three dots on the circle, you have two interlocking triangles.
5 To complete the "star" use the ruler to draw a line from the center of the circle to each point where the triangles intersect. You should have the six 60 degree diamond star points.
6. To complete the large hexagon, connect each outer point of the stars.
7. Erase guide lines and arcs.
I printed out a sheet of 1/4" square paper. I used a 60 degree ruler to draw up a hexagon then printed off lots of copies so that I know have my hexagon drawn to the right size each week and just have to draw in the latest pattern.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I enjoyed this post so much! You did a great job on it. I laughed several times. Your instructions are excellent. However, after printing out my own on cardstock, I chose a different path. It wasn't the size that caused the problem. I didn't like the material I had to print on. I called Paper Pieces. In the last year they did a wonderful Millefiore type of paper piecing project, and it needed a lot of the size and shapes we are using. So far, I've been able to buy all the paper pieces from them (I don't know about Westminster, because I used the ones I printed, but they have all those, since some of them are the ones I've bought for other blocks..) I bought small packages, not all at one time, so it wasn't very expensive in any one purchase and I can reuse them.
ReplyDeleteI just love the math on this post Barbara! It's hilarious!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, Barbara! Brought back many scary memories of the old days. We're so used now to everything done for us. -- Rachel
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling grateful that my printer is cooperating with me :)
ReplyDeleteBest tutorial I've seen on size adjustment. One to bookmark or file away for future reference.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
At the suggestion of someone earlier, I print mine off on A4 paper setting and they come out perfectly. I started printing them onto card stock then found the CutRite heavy-duty freezer paper that I can run through my printer.
ReplyDeleteOr she could just make 6.875 inch blocks.
ReplyDeleteLOL, thanks for the laugh. I hate my printer anyway. Always wanting more expensive ink cartridges.
ReplyDeleteI worked out that I had to print mine at 200%
ReplyDeleteMy question is, does it matter that they are not 7" across if they are all the same size they will work together.
I've made three blocks, I've three more prepared. Hopefully I'll catch up. Thanks so much for doing this for us.
Helen
Thanks, Barbara!! I'm forging ahead with my templates and getting blocks that are 3" on a side -- smaller but just as nice and NO MATH.
ReplyDeleteHelen
ReplyDeleteIt really doesn't matter what size they finish to as long as they all finish to the same size---within an 1/8" or so.
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI frequently surf back to older posts like this one for some reference information I need. Thank-you! And I always crack up when I come to a picture like the last one here of the "little Queenie" frowning away... Didn't anyone tell her, "It's "good to be Queen"? OMG! With that face and a pair of boots, she can be Puss in Boots for Holloween! HAha! Thank-you too for the splashes of humor! Quilty hugs and humor, Cathy vJ in Acton, MA