I just made my February BoM ....the Cookie Jar ! It's too adorable!!
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| My two Cookie Jar blocks... why are there two of them? |
After making this adorable block, I realized it was "way too small." (Ultra-cute... but too small for the wallhanging blocks .) It measured only 7 1/4 inches. It is supposed to be 10 1/2 " unfinished.
Now, I should have measured some the pattern after I cut out the pieces.... but I was doing it late at night. (Duh! )
Note to self: always check the measurements on an non- USA pattern, to double check it before making the whole block!) ( I could say, "Don't sew at night."... but that isn't goin' to happen!!)
I have spent many hours trying to figure out my pattern printing issues, on certain patterns from the UK and Australia. More issues came up after I got my new laptop, which has Windows 8.0 (and 8.1 now after an update.)
So file these tips away, if you have printing size problems on patterns, and you have a newer computer , using Windows 8.
Please note that I am not an IT person. This is what works for me with my new Windows 8.0 software and older HP printers, through much trial and error.
Some printing and size tips-
~ for any other USA folks who happen to print out patterns that are from outside of the USA, and have the latest Windows 8 on their computers....
When printing patterns from non-USA designers-
- Use LEGAL size paper in your printer ( it is cheaper than finding A4 paper in the US.)
- Select the A4 size paper in the print options
- Select LANDSCAPE orientation option (in most cases)
How did I find this out? Read on, if you are interested in the process... if not, feel free to skip on to the end now!
The Process: while working on The Cookie Jar block:
I found this out, because when I printed out the pattern , for my files, it wouldn't print pages " 1-4 "out. So I decided to print them out, one page at a time. I could print out 1,3, and 4 individually , but it would not print out page 2 !
I thought.... weird...
So, picking pages individually to print out, I did get pages 1,3 and 4 printed out on A4 size paper. It just ignored page 2 for some reason. (I thought I 'll look on the computer for page 2.)
I made my pattern.
I noticed it was such a cute little block.... wait... little??
Something just looked "smallish" about this cute little block. I measured it, and it is only 7 1/4 " unfinished. It is supposed to be 10 1/2 inches unfinished.
The next morning, I decided to use my second printer (in case the one I had used was acting goofy for some odd reason). When I looked at the previously printed pattern page 3, it came to me like a flash ,.... change it to the LANDSCAPE layout of paper.
Then it wouldn't be constricted to the width of the paper.
So, now .....
- I use US LEGAL size paper to print patterns for all of the Aussie and non-USA patterns
- I select A4 for paper size option
- I will select LANDSCAPE orientation
You see, on the windows 8 software, to print Adobe pdf files , it no longer says "NO SCALE" to page, That is not an option any longer . The options are PICK A SIZE of paper, and pick PORTRAIT or LANDSCAPE.
I know that I should've measured the WIDTH of the cookie jar pattern BEFORE I SEWED it up! I will do this extra measurement step , prior to sewing, from now on.
As more folks replace their old computers, more people in the USA will be using the Windows 8 software, with the options changed for printing, and they may find some isolated printing problems. I think these points could help them.
I realize that I am in a very small niche right now....
A quilter printing out sewing patterns... A Paper Piecer .... in The Sew Kitschy BoM ..... from the USA... using Windows 8 software on their computer ....
but maybe these tips will help somebody down the road.... { I love being in this niche !!}
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| I put "Cookies" on the jar. I then decided to add my name, and the year of the Block of the Month (machine embroidery) |
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| The first two months of Sew Kitschy BoM by Susie's Sunroom |
I'm on my way to to a fun 9 months of Sew Kitschy block making!
May your sewing (and printing) problems be few...
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I'm off to my sewing room!
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