As a crafter I run into patterns with pieces that need to be enlarged before you can make the item.  Years ago there was only one practical way to do that; draw out a gird and enlarge them by hand.  Very time-consuming, sometimes frustrating and not always that accurate.  Modern technology has come to the rescue!  Whether you sew, embroider, paint, do woodworking or any kind of crafting, now you can enlarge a pattern easily and accurately.  If you have a scanner and printer you can even do it at home.  If you don't have a scanner you can do it quickly and inexpensively at any commercial copy shop (if you're feeling unsure how to use the copier settings the staff at these shops should be happy to help.)

Here's how you make enlarging patterns easy.  First look at the pattern instructions and the grid diagram with the pieces that need to be enlarged.  For this example let's use a gird with a scale of 1 square on the grid equaling 1 inch on the finished pattern piece.  Take a ruler and measure the square on the diagram.  If each square is 1/2", then you will have to double the size to make a finished pattern with a 1 inch square.  Copy the diagram, setting the enlargement at 200%.  Measure the squares in the copy you just made, they should be a perfect 1 inch and you now have the pattern pieces ready to use.  If the square on the pattern grid is 1/4", then set the enlargement at 800%.  Just a warning; each scanner or commercial copier has a little different way of expressing the enlargement percentage so you may have to experiment the first copy or two.  Using my Lexmark scanner software I have to set the enlargement at 200% to get a copy that is doubled in size; but I have used other copiers that need to be set at 100% enlargement to get a pattern doubled in size.  That's why you need to measure the copy you have made to be sure you are using the correct enlargement percentage.

This may sound a little complicated but when you have your grid and ruler and a copier in front of you, you can just follow the steps I've given.  It is VERY easy and after the first couple of copies you will be whizzing throught the whole process.  Some of the newer patterns will even tell you what enlargement percentage to use.  If you don't already have a scanner you may want to get an inexpensive scanner and printer in one, it will already have the software to do all kinds of scanning and copying.  For me the biggest advantage is being able to do all of this right at home and then save the result on my computer if I want to.  I have had a great time since I discovered this method of enlarging patterns, it saves a lot of time plus I can take any pattern at all and make it the size I want.  Have fun, if you have more suggestions please don't hesitate to post them.