Wanabee Quiltin

I’ve been reading patterns on both the Internet and in magazines and the pattern sizes -to me- just seem strange. Today there was a really pretty pattern I liked but it was 42 x 42. I’m not a really tall person but I am 65 inches. So many of the patterns are, at the most, about 57”. I know that in some cases, I can add borders but some you can’t. Also do most people like squares for their quilts? I don’t make tablecloths out of my quilts so a quilt that is 42x 42 is basically a small child’s quilt. But the pattern isn’t for a small child. What do you all do, redesign the pattern?

GingerK

I agree that there are some very strange sized patterns available. I would think something that is 42 inches square would be a wall hanging. If I wanted to make it into a bed sized quilt, I could make 4 times as many blocks--ouch! I'd have to love that block to pieces, to make that many--or I could double the size of the block. If the original is a 6 inch block, it should be quite easy to make it into a 12 inch block.

I have resized many a pattern in my quilting days--and not always bigger either. To me, that is part of the fun--making the pattern my own.

Tartan

I only do a square sometimes if it is a wallhanging. I prefer rectangles for quilts and if the pattern is in block form, I add an extra row to the bottom.

bj

Extra blocks, resized blocks, borders or all of the above. One quilt I enlarged that turned out nicely, I made the quilt center, added a border the same width as the blocks, then added another round of blocks. I then framed it with another border a little narrower than the first one. I liked the end result. Looked like a round robin, only I did all the rounds .

TexasSunshine

I do squares for my tablecloth quilts, about 55 to 60 inches, but i primarily make lap quilts and prefer rectangular ones. I do take into account if the person is tall.

Macybaby

Often my quilts end up being the size they end up. I think many patterns are designed, and the finished size is what it ended up being. It's a lot harder to start with a finished size and work your way back to get the block size.

Making changes to get a different size is only problematic when figuring required yardages.

Geri B

Some of these odd size patterns are merely there so someone will buy the pattern....42x42 in my mind is a wall hanging.....

jclinganrey

I would consider something that measures 42" x 42" more like a wall hanging. If you find a pattern/design you like, draft out a larger version of the quilt. I keep 1/4" grid paper nearby so I can draw up quilt patterns, blocks & designs.

Wanabee Quiltin

I will never make a wall hanging, not ever. I’ve tried to redesign quilt patterns but sometimes it just doesn’t look good afterward and I end up taking it apart. And some I love, but you know it won’t look good any other way except the way it was pieced. I looked through a quick quilt kind of magazine, maybe two or three of them, and not one had a pattern larger than than 57” long. I’m wondering if there is pressure on the designers to get quilt patterns out and so they come up with these small quilts? I’m going to stick to my favorite designers who know how to make beautiful bed quilts.

gramajo

I've noticed lately that a lot of patterns are square. I don't make wallhangings. If I like a pattern, I add a row or two to the bottom and/or sides to make it the size I want. I don't like adding borders just to make it larger. It seems to me that an extra border or two is taking the lazy way out.