Sew Kitschy February Block

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar....

Kristy's Retro Kitchen Block of the Month... click here

I just made my February BoM ....the Cookie Jar !  It's too adorable!!

This pattern is available during Feb for free  HERE
at Kristy's Craftsy Shop

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 !!}

I put "Cookies"  on the jar.  I then  decided to add my name, and the year of the Block of the Month  (machine embroidery)

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...

  

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:

•   the Linky Party for Sew Kitschy BoM @ Quiet Play and
• Paper Piecing Party @ Quiet Play