Altering a Quilt Kit
12-25-2018, 10:32 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northeastern Indiana
Posts: 2,800
I'm not a lawyer, but sometimes I think I am one.
If you are making this for your own use and not going to reproduce it and sell it, then you needn't worry about copy right laws. You paid dearly for this kit and I want to see it when you are done. I've got a lone star in the UFO section, and I've lost the pattern and directions completely.
If you are making this for your own use and not going to reproduce it and sell it, then you needn't worry about copy right laws. You paid dearly for this kit and I want to see it when you are done. I've got a lone star in the UFO section, and I've lost the pattern and directions completely.
12-25-2018, 06:45 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,541
This may take a whole tablet of graph paper, but that is the way I would go--tape the pages together and draw your pattern using the narrower strips. Once the lone star is drawn, the size of the setting triangles would be easy to figure--plus the angles are the same, it is just the size that is different and if you over cut, it just means wasting a bit of fabric. I resized a Labyrinth Walk pattern on graph paper and it turned out gorgeous with no problems other than a headache from trying to remember to add that half inch.
At least try it.
At least try it.
12-25-2018, 08:41 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: River City, Orygun
Posts: 86
Your pattern may vary, but most Lone Stars are made with strip sets, assembled into the eight (diamond shaped) segments, which when assembled give you your completed star.
To reduce the size simply cut to a smaller dimension evenly. If the pattern says cut strips at 2 1/2, you can cut them smaller equally. What ever size you choose it will come out even due to the design. You really don't need to reduce the pattern on paper because you will be cutting strips and not using a pattern or template. Just substitute the smaller number for the one the pattern calls for.
The pattern will be useful for color layout of strips and how to arrange for finally joining into each diamond segment. This step doesn't care what size it is. As described, this applies to LS patterns assembled from strip sets. Any other way I don't know without seeing the sewing instructions.
I'm hoping you've made a Lone Star before. This is a very challenging pattern to get right the first time around. First off- every seam is sewn on the bias. The cutting has to be precise, and you need command of perfect seam allowances. All seam matching of the diamond shapes is diagonal. You can't nest the intersections, so pin matching, or some other method is required. Then it stretches of course so it's very challenging. And, it's more difficult using smaller parts, so a size reduction increases the difficulty. Each segment must be equal in size and shape, or it won't go together properly.
I just finished two, back to back. The second one was half as hard, and finished twice as nice. I don't mean to "scare" you but the LS benefits from precision joining.
If you haven't done one, give it a go using scraps. I wouldn't take the chance with a $350 kit.
To reduce the size simply cut to a smaller dimension evenly. If the pattern says cut strips at 2 1/2, you can cut them smaller equally. What ever size you choose it will come out even due to the design. You really don't need to reduce the pattern on paper because you will be cutting strips and not using a pattern or template. Just substitute the smaller number for the one the pattern calls for.
The pattern will be useful for color layout of strips and how to arrange for finally joining into each diamond segment. This step doesn't care what size it is. As described, this applies to LS patterns assembled from strip sets. Any other way I don't know without seeing the sewing instructions.
I'm hoping you've made a Lone Star before. This is a very challenging pattern to get right the first time around. First off- every seam is sewn on the bias. The cutting has to be precise, and you need command of perfect seam allowances. All seam matching of the diamond shapes is diagonal. You can't nest the intersections, so pin matching, or some other method is required. Then it stretches of course so it's very challenging. And, it's more difficult using smaller parts, so a size reduction increases the difficulty. Each segment must be equal in size and shape, or it won't go together properly.
I just finished two, back to back. The second one was half as hard, and finished twice as nice. I don't mean to "scare" you but the LS benefits from precision joining.
If you haven't done one, give it a go using scraps. I wouldn't take the chance with a $350 kit.
12-25-2018, 09:32 PM
#14
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 1,999
I understand that the Lone Star block has all of the challenges that you mentioned. The Lone Star block itself is strip pieced, and I don't think it would be much harder by using 2" strips vs. the 2.5" strips that the pattern calls for.
What has me concerned is the curved setting segments around the star. That's the part that I want to have reduced with a copier and be able to match with the reduced-size star. I think I'll try it with stash fabric first to see if it can be done. If that fails, I'll still have the beautiful hand-dyed fabric from the kit for a different project that I won't have ruined with experiments.
Thanks everyone for your feedback. It helps me to brainstorm a solution.
What has me concerned is the curved setting segments around the star. That's the part that I want to have reduced with a copier and be able to match with the reduced-size star. I think I'll try it with stash fabric first to see if it can be done. If that fails, I'll still have the beautiful hand-dyed fabric from the kit for a different project that I won't have ruined with experiments.
Thanks everyone for your feedback. It helps me to brainstorm a solution.
Your pattern may vary, but most Lone Stars are made with strip sets, assembled into the eight (diamond shaped) segments, which when assembled give you your completed star.
To reduce the size simply cut to a smaller dimension evenly. If the pattern says cut strips at 2 1/2, you can cut them smaller equally. What ever size you choose it will come out even due to the design. You really don't need to reduce the pattern on paper because you will be cutting strips and not using a pattern or template. Just substitute the smaller number for the one the pattern calls for.
The pattern will be useful for color layout of strips and how to arrange for finally joining into each diamond segment. This step doesn't care what size it is. As described, this applies to LS patterns assembled from strip sets. Any other way I don't know without seeing the sewing instructions.
I'm hoping you've made a Lone Star before. This is a very challenging pattern to get right the first time around. First off- every seam is sewn on the bias. The cutting has to be precise, and you need command of perfect seam allowances. All seam matching of the diamond shapes is diagonal. You can't nest the intersections, so pin matching, or some other method is required. Then it stretches of course so it's very challenging. And, it's more difficult using smaller parts, so a size reduction increases the difficulty. Each segment must be equal in size and shape, or it won't go together properly.
I just finished two, back to back. The second one was half as hard, and finished twice as nice. I don't mean to "scare" you but the LS benefits from precision joining.
If you haven't done one, give it a go using scraps. I wouldn't take the chance with a $350 kit.
To reduce the size simply cut to a smaller dimension evenly. If the pattern says cut strips at 2 1/2, you can cut them smaller equally. What ever size you choose it will come out even due to the design. You really don't need to reduce the pattern on paper because you will be cutting strips and not using a pattern or template. Just substitute the smaller number for the one the pattern calls for.
The pattern will be useful for color layout of strips and how to arrange for finally joining into each diamond segment. This step doesn't care what size it is. As described, this applies to LS patterns assembled from strip sets. Any other way I don't know without seeing the sewing instructions.
I'm hoping you've made a Lone Star before. This is a very challenging pattern to get right the first time around. First off- every seam is sewn on the bias. The cutting has to be precise, and you need command of perfect seam allowances. All seam matching of the diamond shapes is diagonal. You can't nest the intersections, so pin matching, or some other method is required. Then it stretches of course so it's very challenging. And, it's more difficult using smaller parts, so a size reduction increases the difficulty. Each segment must be equal in size and shape, or it won't go together properly.
I just finished two, back to back. The second one was half as hard, and finished twice as nice. I don't mean to "scare" you but the LS benefits from precision joining.
If you haven't done one, give it a go using scraps. I wouldn't take the chance with a $350 kit.
12-25-2018, 10:27 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
My question is will the reduced copy of the pattern setting pieces be accurate. The instructions call for 2.5" strips of fabric to make the lone star. Reducing that by 20 percent is 2" strips. I don't know if reducing the copy of the setting diagrams will fit the lone star since reducing something on a copy machine is not 100 percent accurate.
Quilt math warning, though: If you change 2.5" strips to 2" strips, your finished size goes from 2" to 1.5", which is a 25% reduction (not 20%).
12-26-2018, 05:43 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,147
Like others have mentioned, you have to take into consideration the seam allowance. If it calls for 2.5" strips, that is 2" plus 1/2 seam allowance (1/4 each side). You need to reduce the 2" by 20%, and then add back the 1/2" seam allowance to get it right. So it's larger than a 2" strip. I'm assuming if it's Lone Star, you are sewing strips and then subcutting on the diagonal. you have to adjust your subcut measures the same, subtract 1/2" for seam allowance, then reduce and add back 1/2" for seam allowance
I have done this with a lot of non-paper pieced patterns, and have a ruler that is marked off in 1/8 increments so I can get the pieces accurate, and i do cut them to 1/16" measures. I enjoy working with small pieces.
I have done this with a lot of non-paper pieced patterns, and have a ruler that is marked off in 1/8 increments so I can get the pieces accurate, and i do cut them to 1/16" measures. I enjoy working with small pieces.
12-26-2018, 04:04 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Vancouver Island / Arizona
Posts: 458
Jennr8r: If you do photocopy know that one of your directions will come out true and the other will not. I am sorry but I no longer remember the amount of distortion. Perhaps your local copy store will know. Otherwise an email to some company like Zerox should get you the info. I am now out of date but I don't think that will have changed. Since this is a persnickety pattern it might be better to check. Jennifer23 has a good test suggestion.
Last edited by Kelsie; 12-26-2018 at 04:10 PM.
12-27-2018, 04:32 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,394
slightly different tack here - a friend took a square quilt she'd made and hung it at the corner of her room with part of it on the ceiling - works only on square quilts - use the bottom and two side corners as points to match the vertical and horizontal corners of the room - the fourth point is attached to the ceiling. looked like a kite hanging in the corner of the room. Can't provide a photo because they've moved.
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