Month 2 LATTICE BORDER

[Margo]

There have been some people having trouble with the foundations for the lattice border.

The foundation squares should definitely print out to 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" (unfinished size).

If they are not 2-1/2" please check your printer to make sure that it is not "scaling" your print-out.

If you are printing directly from the web site, you may try downloading the PDF to your computer, and printing it from that source.

If you still can't get it to print at exactly 2-1/2" you might want to try running your small print-out through your copier and scale it up a little, maybe 103%-110% until it measures correctly. Just be sure to check that the shape is not distorted and it is still a square.

Here are Sue's directions from the Introduction:


Guidance on Printing the Patterns Guidance on Printing the Patterns

Most of the time, printing out the patterns is easy: simply click and print. But at times, you will
need to pay attention and make sure that your printer settings are appropriate for printing out pages
where precision sizing is important. This will occur on those pages where applique or paper
foundations are printed; those pages must be printed exactly to scale and not re-sized to fit on a
page. On pages where precision matters, you will find a one-inch square on the pattern; print out
the pattern and measure the square; if it is one inch, proceed with making the units for that month.
If the square is smaller than one inch, then your printer has “scaled” the page to fit on the paper and
you will have to adjust your printer settings. Here are a couple of things you can do to check or
reset the settings on your printer.
• Begin by clicking on “File” and “Print.” On the Print page, you should see a “Scale to Paper
Size” line and the drop down menu for it should read “No Scaling.” If it says something other
than that, change it to “No Scaling.”
• If your page is still not printing out the correct size, click on “File” and “Print” and then click on
the “Properties” button. Once there, look at the “Layout Options” – you should see “Type:
Multiple Pages per Side” and “Pages per Side: 1” there. If you see, instead, “Reduce/Enlarge”
or “Fit to Page,” change those options to “Type: Multiple Pages per Side” and “Pages per Side:
1.” These settings are where most people will find a change is needed – and choosing these
options will fix any sizing issues.
• Some computers use different terminology than the ones I have just identified – look around on
your computer and find similar terms – for example, your computer may use “page set-up”
instead of “layout options.” What you want to be sure of when you are looking at your print
settings, is that you are printing the whole page full-size and not adjusted otherwise.

[Margo]

Well, I just went and checked my squares. I know I check to make sure that it was printing full size but they are 2.25". Sure hope those floater strips are going to make up for this. I am half way through making the blocks. :~(

[ajclapp]

Ritzy, try using a very scant seam allowance when sewing the blocks together in groups of 4, then measure to see if your block has grown close to 4 1/2". If it has, then use your normal seam allowance to sew the groups together in strips and to add to the floaters. If not, continue using a very scant seam allowance. If you use a very scant seam allowance all of the way through you will need to use that same seam allowance when adding it to the floaters.

[Margo]

Good option, Annis! Thanks!

[Margo]

Thanks Annis.

[Margo]

Printing from the .pdf, the blocks come out at barely over 2 1/4"unfinished size. I use a lot of .pdf files and have come to trust them.

I foolishly trusted this .pdf and cut out 120 at the printed size and made up 9 finished squares only to discover the finished blocks were 3/8" too small. Now I'm making up new squares at 2 1/2" finished size WITHOUT USING THE PAPER FOUNDATIONS AT ALL. It's easier just to sew the 4" strip between the two triangles, trim to 2 1/2"and sew them together into blocks. Great frustration to waste the nine finished blocks, but that seems to be the best solution at this point.

[gynconnie]

Margo,
Should a one-inch test square be added to the foundation paper pattern sheet? It seems like it might have prevented some problems that are happening this month. Or perhaps as Sue edits the pattern, she could add a statement that prints out ON THE PATTERN PAGE that the patterns should measure exactly 2 1/2 inches when printed. Just a thought...

[Patchworkjill]

Hi, Just to say mine printed out exactly 2 1/2 inches and I have made up one side of the lattice and all went very well and fitted great, some times maybe the printers can be out by just a bit, I find a difference with the one at work and the one at home like this.

Also diferent measuring tapes can be under or over, I went through all of mine a few years ago and found some different, I used a ruler to work out which ones correct and threw the others away so check your tapes, just a suggestion.

Tip: what I did was a trial run when sewingthe blocks together by using a large stitch to make sure if to use a 1/4 inch or less or more, I used a 1/4 inch in the end.

[Margo]

Margo,
Should a one-inch test square be added to the foundation paper pattern sheet? It seems like it might have prevented some problems that are happening this month. Or perhaps as Sue edits the pattern, she could add a statement that prints out ON THE PATTERN PAGE that the patterns should measure exactly 2 1/2 inches when printed. Just a thought...

Sue and I have been weighing options to make the measurements more obvious. Thanks for your suggestion.

[Margo]

Printing from the .pdf, the blocks come out at barely over 2 1/4"unfinished size. I use a lot of .pdf files and have come to trust them.

I foolishly trusted this .pdf and cut out 120 at the printed size and made up 9 finished squares only to discover the finished blocks were 3/8" too small. Now I'm making up new squares at 2 1/2" finished size WITHOUT USING THE PAPER FOUNDATIONS AT ALL. It's easier just to sew the 4" strip between the two triangles, trim to 2 1/2"and sew them together into blocks. Great frustration to waste the nine finished blocks, but that seems to be the best solution at this point.

Carolyn, we are sure that the PDF is correct. It is individual printers that are causing the sizes to be incorrect.

We need to make the directions more clear about checking the size of the foundations.

[Margo]

Yes the PDF is certainly correct, I had no issue at all printing out the foundations at an exact 2.5" square.

[ajclapp]

My laser printer shrinks my documents. So I always use an inkjet printer if I need an exact size.

[Margo]

If you missed it on the Daily Blog, there is now a tutorial available in case you are having difficulty printing your foundation papers. Neither Sue nor I had anything to do with this...the typos aren't ours on this one! :roll:

learn/projects/

[Margo]

I finally did something right.....all of my blocks, after squaring them up, were the exact, correct size. I was so thrilled with myself. :shock: I have one side sewn together, three more to go. I love the way it is turning out. I did this quilt just because of that lattice border....I love it.

[Patchworkjill]

Janice I did this quilt for the Lattice border also.....he he he