***Two important things to remember***
 

#1...Always remove all seam allowances BEFORE you reduce or enlarge a pattern.  The seam allowances also reduce and enlarge. You could end up with seam allowances of only 1/16th of an inch! Or 3/4 of an inch! You would from habit, probably still use a 1/4" seam allowance and end up with a very different doll indeed. (Perhaps a nice doll, perhaps not so nice!) Always add the appropriate seam allowances after the resizing. (Template pieces don't need seam allowances).

#2...Resizing a pattern does not make it a "different" pattern. All copyrights still apply, just as if it was the original size. You probably won't have to re-size the pattern for Whatever! Whatever! since Paul has "fixed" the programs so the patterns come out full sized, even with all the different programs, printers, computers etc. BUT....Just in case, the directions for doing so, if needed, follow. Of course, there are no seam allowances on the pattern pieces for Whatever! Whatever! since she is intended to be reduced and/or enlarged if desired. They need to be added where needed after you do the sizing. Some pieces are TEMPLATES.

Pattern preparation, when you get patterns from the computer, (if they didn't come off full sized) starts a little differently than when you have the full sized, printed pattern, but once you learn to do it, it is easy ...and...opens up a whole new world for pattern designers, dollmakers (and bear and craft and quilt etc. makers too.)

Selling patterns to be printed right from the web could save a lot of time and money and allows you to get a pattern you desire almost immediately! No postage to pay. No waiting for the mail. No lost packages. I think, more and more patterns are going to be made available on the web, rather than having to send them in the mail. The only drawback is the sizing aspect, and I will show you 2 ways to "fix" that and succeed at re-sizing your pattern.

The first way is with a little basic math. Here is what you do. Find the
measurement line on your computer printed pattern. On this pattern it says 4" and is divided into 1" increments. (All pages will be re-sized to the same percentage.)

Now, measure that line to see how long it really is on your printout. Let's say it is 2" long on your printout.

Now for the simple math...Divide the 2" that is on your printout into the 4" that you want it to measure on your enlarged pattern. The answer is 2. (2 into 4 is 2)

Now, multiply the 2 by 100. You get 200 (2 times 100 is 200). Hence you need to enlarge the pattern by 200% to get it up to the original size.
Let's do another, a little harder this time.  Let's say that your computer
printout line measures 1 and 3/4" long. That is 1.75.  Divide 1.75 into 4.
It comes to 2.28 or 228 (with a little remainder. Disregard the remainder).
Multiply that by 100.  The answer is 228%.

Copy machines can do the enlarging for you. Some are limited in how much
they can enlarge, and you may have to enlarge twice. (Wow! Now you have 2 different sized patterns!)

Let's say the copy machine you will use only enlarges to 150%, and you need 200%.

First, enlarge to the 150%. Re-measure the line, do the math, and enlarge
again. It really is simple.

If you do the math part on a calculator or adding machine, it is simpler
still!

Another hint...Enlarge onto LEDGER sized paper and you won't have parts going off the edge.

***Now for the next way to do the re-sizing***

There is a handy little thing called a Proportional Wheel. It is available
at art supply stores and on the http://www.thedollnet.com  from Dollmakers
Journey. 

With the wheel, you first measure the line on your printout just like before.
Let's say it is 2" again. Find that length on the INNER ring of the Proportional Wheel. Find the 2" mark on the INNER ring. Line it up with the 4" mark on the OUTER edge of the wheel. There is a little window on the inner ring, and an arrow will point to the percentage you need to enlarge. In this case it is of course, 200%.

Let's do another...Let's say your line is 3" long.  Line the 3" up with the 4" you want the line to be on your enlargement. It lines up at 133%. It is
probably one of those 1.3333333 things, but go with 133%. Or as close as you can get to 133%.
                
The Proportional wheel has other uses too. If you get one from Dollmakers Journey, they have a direction sheet that tells you how to use it for figuring out proportion for accessories too.

There now, that really isn't hard at all is it.

Now, you know how to have your pattern all sized and ready to add seam allowances to those parts that need them, while transferring to Freezer Paper (Or copy machine paper wrapper)  (or other paper) Note...You can see through Freezer Paper really easily to do the tracing.

Again, Remember, this formula and/or tool works for all re-sizing for your doll patterns, either from the computer or even patterns you have in your pattern files that you wish were another size.

Also REMEMBER! Re-sizing DOES NOT make a pattern into a different pattern!  It is just the same, only a different size.

Dolly Hugs, Judi

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