Pattern Preferences

[Janette]

With so many different designers and ways to get patterns, I was wondering if people have a preference.

Most designers mail patterns once ordered, many now provide patterns by computer- either via e-mail or download.

Personally, I like having them in my computer so that I can blow them up to any size easily. when I do get paper patterns, I will usually end up photographing them or scanning them into the computer and redrawing into pattern wizzard so I can easily resize. The biggest thing I like about pattern wizzard is you can print "hairlines" which are nice and thin for cutting and there is no distortion reagardless of the size you make the pattern.

Anyone else??

[MikeDingas]

Electronic is the only way to go, if you have a computer.

[CanadianScroller]

There are pluses for both.
It is true you can resize to litterally any dimension on a computer, the problem for some larger projects is the assembly of pages.
I have a progeam that will enlarge up to 100 feet by 100 feet, I just cant find a saw with that throat size.

I have a tendancy to scan most of my patterns for future refernce but sometimes, the full size sheets of paper are the only way to go.
I am fortunate enough to have access to a large sheet copier. 36" by what ever length I need.
It will not enlarge though.
Since most of the projects I make are smaller than 11x17 I guess either one is fine.
Ink cots can be an issue if you are printing at home. Laser printers are cheaper per page than inkjet, the same goes for copiers.
A few years ago I bought a laser printer for $79. I love the printer but hate the fact that the toner costs $120. I will just buy a new printer.
This year I got an inkjet camera combo for $49. Replacement ink will be over $90.
I wonder if the printer/ ink manufacturers will ever get it right?

[SharonW0111]

I have lost so many good patterns that can never be replaced because of computer crashes.. thus I have no more of a treasure,altho I do love to go into my computer when searching for a pattern because I keep them in order ,etc.. I can just print them up and then take them to my big copier and reduce or enlarge as I need. I took a victorian fretwork doll cradle and blew it up to fit a normal baby for my grandaughter this way. but having patterns on paper assures me of having the pattern in case of computer failer. I have a filing cabinet for my patterns and keep them in --when I do get around to putting them in files. ..but the hassle of fileing when I need to is somewhat lacking..so ofcourse there are tons of loose pappers floating around my copier table. The toner is expensive and if I refill the drum it is around $100. and I get about 3000 copies with that.
I guess you can say I have both ways and love both of them. hard to pick just one.

[Minnesota scroller]

The toner is expensive and if I refill the drum it is around $100. and I get about 3000 copies with that.

Sharon, what kind of printer do you have? I have an HP and I found a source for refilled cartridges for $45. The yield on the toner cartridges is supposedly 6000 copies. Combine this with the cost of paper and I get by for about
1 1/2c per copy.

Back to the main topic, I prefer them emailed as a jpeg. I've bought some that were sent as a pdf and couldn't do anything with them except to print them the way they were. Like most, I have just the free copy of Adobe Reader.

[Janette]

Back to the main topic, I prefer them emailed as a jpeg. I've bought some that were sent as a pdf and couldn't do anything with them except to print them the way they were. Like most, I have just the free copy of Adobe Reader.

When I started selling patterns, and what I still do is to e-mail as both a jpg and pdf file, along with a picture of a finished piece. They can be kind of large files, but most people seem to like it. I also started the option of sending a printed copy instead if someone prefers to receive it that way. Trying to keep everyone happy! I'm not much for the download just because the ones I've seen are downloaded as a pdf and adjusting size, etc. is a pain.

[PuzzledMoose]

If anyone wants a way to convert PDF to Word or JPEGs, there is a converter here - the free version will only convert 3 pages but it seems to work OK ...

http://smartpdfconverter.com/?gclid=CN_E9_DOmooCFQ4HPwodBDzPjg

[Minnesota scroller]

Ian, it works. Shouldn't need it to often, but it will come in handy.

Thanks for sharing.

[lucky788scroller]

I prefer paper, full size, in my hand! I do have access to a large blueprint copier at work, which possibly skews my tastes though. Also, most of the things I make come typically on larger sheets, and its easier for me to deal with bigger sheets than piecing smaller ones together. Dale

[SharonW0111]

Mike I have a Sharp digatal office copier . It reduces and enlarges with almost no distortion. I have to enlarge in the 50% range to have no distortion at all but jumping from 100 to 200 % there will be a slight distortion but still workable.