If you have ever used computer software to generate templates for your quilt patch patterns, you may recognize this problem:
The size of the patch is larger than will fit on one piece of paper.
Now what?
The pattern people will tell you to cut out the pieces and tape them together, thereby giving you a complete pattern piece. That is likely a great strategy, and for years I dutifully did exactly that.
However, recently I decided to try a slightly different method.
If the pattern piece was symmetrical – could be folded in half and both sides would be the same – I figured why not fold both the pattern in half and the fabric in half?
You can line up whatever side of the pattern piece you have (making certain that you have folded it at exactly the middle), line up the folded side of the pattern with the folded side of your fabric and then cut.
My first experiment was with a trapezoid (the bottom of a boat in a Ship block), and you can see how it works here:
http://how-to-quilt.com/articles/1013-templates.php
This could also work with triangles.
Happy Quilting!
Penny
