sval

I'm not the brightest star in the sky especially when it come to computers and printers. They're wonderful if you know what you're doing. But just totally frustrating for those of us that are in the "know enough to be dangerous" category.

I have a pp pattern from generations... something or other. It says you can print it out. First thing I wanted to do was make it a bit larger. Couldn't figure out how to make the pattern bigger, just accomplished zooming it on the screen.

So then when I printed it it was accurate one direction but not the other.

I was all gung ho this morning to try out a sample block to see if I wanted to make a whole quilt. Now I don't want to continue at all.

Anyone have any help? Or know where I can just buy the foundation papers all printed ready to sew?

Oh and the printer doesn't like the Carol Doak Papers.

SVAL

ManiacQuilter2

If you are printing a PP pattern from the internet, I just would print it on copy paper. Then I scan it and enlarge it as a photo, then you can print it out. Remember that with PP, if you enlarge it, your 1/4" seams will be wider than normal. This is when Electric Quilt comes in handy. Once you have the PP design drawn in the program, you can change the size of the pattern but the seam allowances will stay the same.

sval

Oh I have EQ. I saw the Storm at Sea Pattern on it. So how do I do it? Edit the block till it's the size I want.? Then will it print out patterns for me?
It is so underused cuz I just have never been able to figure it out. Not very user friendly.
And then what about the paper not going through the printer? Any solution to that? The pkg says it will. It's a fairly decent newish printer.

Peckish

In EQ, when you print the foundation pattern, make sure the blocks print at the size you want them.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]514651[/ATTACH]

What happens when you try to print?

tessagin

I have done the same when trying to print a pattern. If the pattern is the way/size I want, I print one copy. Usually there is a comparison square (usually an inch sq.) at the bottom or some where on page. If that measures that is good for me. If the 1/4 inch seam allowance is off then I take that one original and adjust the seam allowance (I have an add a 1/4 ruler). I line it up and make another line then "white out" the other line. I use that as my original and print more copies. That is my master. If you have one of those programs like the EQ then fine. I don't. I love my set of "Add a Quarter (1/4) Rulers" Use them often. My printer for some reason doesn't like the Carol Doak papers. I have been practicing the tear away paper piecing method and love it. You sew up next to the paper but not into the paper. Then use your rotary and the A1/4ruler. You can reuse the paper and any paper will do. So your cheap copy paper works.

sval

Peckish.

So I've got the block on the worktable screen. It says it's 12". That's ok. but there are weird lines that I think need to be changed. Like graph paper lines.
do I have to do something with them first? Or just print the foundation papers?
Sorry. But as I'm sure you've deduced I don't understand eq5 very well.
At this point I'd just like to buy the papers all ready to use. Or just do a different pattern.

Peckish

Yes, the lines probably do need to be changed. And I could tell you what they're for and how to change them, but I'd basically be plagiarizing most of the relevant chapter out of your EQ manual.

It would be faster if you searched the program's index for keywords, like "printing foundation papers" and read what pops up.

A note about learning EQ: I personally don't learn very well via tutorials that plod along from one thing to the next, especially when I have no interest in the current lesson. I get bored very quickly with the program. I learn best by having an idea and figuring out how to get from A to B to make my idea work. The EQ manual is set up for this. I'd look through the chapters and index, find a term that I thought might address what I'm trying to do, and 98% of the time found what I was looking for within 5 minutes, and had accomplished it in the program within 10 minutes. The other 2% of the time I found answers in the forums on EQ's website.

Don't let yourself be intimidated by your lack of knowledge - jump in and have fun with it.