Projecting and Enlarging Patterns?

[Tixi]

1) What kind of equipment are people using to project patterns for enlargement?

2) Anyone using a scanner and large scale printer/plotter?  I think the toner for a large-scale printer would become expensive, but it's a neat option.

3) I have been looking at some cheap old former-school-type overhead projectors, but the concept of distortion came to mind.  How are people dealing with distortion when projecting onto a wall? 

3a) Is anyone using distortion to their ADVANTAGE e.g. widening or lenghthening an image?

4) Are you making some kind of mark on the film that you can verify the integrity of the image to prevent distortion? 

5) Also, is anyone projecting downwards...using some kind of projector mount or sideways projector maybe? Perhaps directly down onto fabric? 

If you have pics or details of your setup, please share =)

I'm just a home user looking to play with some of the wonderful information in The Tudor Tailor and Patterns of Fashion, etc.


Thanks to all for your input (in advance)

[sealion]

I don't use any kind of projector. I draw it out on a grid.

[gem]

We have an overhead projector, and I have printed graph paper to the proper scale (according to whatever the book says) on transparencies, with the plan to then trace the reduced patterns onto the transparencies, and then project onto 1x1" grid paper taped to the wall.  I think it *should* work, but I haven't tried it yet.

Sealion's method might just be easier.

[Lady L]

I don't have any type of projector either. I just use a pencil, measuring tape and large white paper.

[VIII]

Yep, I have extrapolated the XXL and XXXL sizes on a pattern by using a white paper that is thin enough to see the original pattern through.  I just follow the expanding lines and corners to enlarge (or diminish) the pattern to the size needed.

I take the difference from Small to Large and Large to Extra-Large, find the average change, and add it to find the XX-Large, then the XXX-Large points.

Hope that makes sense

[Lady L]

Ok, I have been giving this some more thought...
If you have a diagram that has a center front or back line of say, for example, 3" and you want it to be 36", then you would mark  point a on the paper, then multiply 3 x 12=36" and mark point b on the paper. From there, you would multiply all the other measurements by 12" (that being the ratio) and mark each point the same way. Such as, for shoulder, side seam, neck, etc. Then connect the points. ( I don't *know* that the number is actually 12, just an example)
_  a
|  b
  \ c
--- d
sort of like that, I wish I could just draw it on here.

[Tixi]

Where are you all finding paper big enough to draw patterns? School supply stores or Michael's or something? Cardstock is expensive where I am - $1 a sheet and it's not really big enough to draw an entire skirt gore on one piece.

I've been playing with a piece of demo shareware software called "PosterPrint" - and another free software called Rasterbator (funny name...) - both of which can mega-enlarge small scans/photos/drawnings/images into multi-sheet printouts that you can tape together and cut out. It works, but it's hard to get them to the right size.

Thanks for all the input so far! =)

[Trillium]

I have heard many people mention using the  back of wrapping paper, particularly the wrapping paper that has grid marks on the back.

[Tixi]

I have heard many people mention using the  back of wrapping paper, particularly the wrapping paper that has grid marks on the back.

that is a fantastic idea!!

just found:

http://www.geyerinstructional.com/0f69e1dd5d795a9d5de5e2b69228907a.item
http://www.1st-quality-school-supplies.com/pac-7786-0.html

[Kate XXXXXX]

I use dot & cross pattern making paper, like this:   I buy it by the roll from Morplan here in the UK: http://www.morplan.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategories_10053_10001

[DonaCatalina]

Where are you all finding paper big enough to draw patterns? School supply stores or Michael's or something? Cardstock is expensive where I am - $1 a sheet and it's not really big enough to draw an entire skirt gore on one piece.

I've been playing with a piece of demo shareware software called "PosterPrint" - and another free software called Rasterbator (funny name...) - both of which can mega-enlarge small scans/photos/drawnings/images into multi-sheet printouts that you can tape together and cut out. It works, but it's hard to get them to the right size.

Thanks for all the input so far! =)

I use white backed wrapping paper.
The ones with plaid patterns on the front can provide you with grid lines to work with.

[gem]

I have heard many people mention using the  back of wrapping paper, particularly the wrapping paper that has grid marks on the back.

Yup.  That's what I use.  There's also a product that's kind of like interfacing made for this purpose: Pellon Tru-Grid.  At 45" wide, it's probably a little bigger than even most large-size wrapping paper (but, then, I've never needed to draft a pattern for a skirt).

[Hoowil]

It doesn't have a grid, but I use the big rolls of brown paper for wrapping/mailing packages. Its fairly cheap, and pretty durable. Only trouble it its usually in roll that are not as wide as butcher paper or wrapping paper, but the rolls are plenty long. I've drafted skirts, bodices, and all kinds of kids garb, but its too narrow for a large chemise.

Having a projector of some kind for enlarging stuff sounds wonderful, especially as most of what I make is for kids, and they grow so fast I have to redraw everything each time. Alas, I've neither space of money for such equipement.

I know some copy places can print on lrge rolls, and may be able to blow up an image that large, but I haven't even worked with stuff like that for over ten years.

Anyway, thats my two bits.

[Lady L]

Where are you all finding paper big enough to draw patterns? School supply stores or Michael's or something?

No, husband brought home a huge roll, it must be 6 feet tall and who knows how long. It's white paper, no lines or grids. It's heavier than text weight, but not as heavy as card stock. I will have to ask him where he got it, but I know it was free.
End of a roll or something like that.

Usually, I draft my patterns on white tissue paper, but it doesn't come as big. Works for sleeves, bodices, blouses and kid's sizes.

[jcbanner]

I have never used a store bought pattern and tend to draft my ourn, or redesign other pattern sketches that I've either made or found, so I don't know how usabe this will be, but heres what I do.

When ever I need to rescale a pattern, I use a grid method, sort of. I'll draw the major and minor axis' on the small scall sketch or pattern. So thats the vertical center line, horizontal line for the top of the shoulder, horizontal line just below the curve from the shoulder about level with the coller bone, horizontal line at what would be the base of the chest, opening for the arms, waist, and hips if its a pattern that is that long. then if there are any distinctive changes in direction along the border, I'll also mark that. 

I use news print to draw out my new pattern.  I have a 24x36 50 page book of it from an art store.  Usually is just large enough for me to draft my patterns using a page for each section of the pattern.

I'll take that "grid" I drew on the starting pattern and I'll start with the center line adjusted to my height and the line at the shoulders adjusted to fit my shoulder width.  From there, I'll draw in the rest of the horizontal lines and place a mark on them where the outline will need to run through.  To figure out where that mark needs to be, I basicly do the same thing that Lady L does to figure the ratio.  After this, its almost like connect the dots, then curve out the lines to fit the original pattern.

Takes a bit of work, but I've NEVER had issues with garb fitting properly.