Problem with Template

[Judith A.]

I am having a bit of a problem. I thought I followed the directions exactly. To join the two top pages, I trimmed the first page to the registration mark, then lined it up with the page to the right, matching up the vertical lines of the registration marks. The registration look like an upside-down "T" where they join.

However, when I line up the registration marks on the the two sheets of paper, the cutting lines and seam lines don't match up. Also, the grid measures only 1 and 3/4" wide when joined at the registration marks.That's when I noticed that the seam lines and cutting lines don't match up. Only the grids where the papers join are short. The other grids measure exactly 2" square.

I could line up the seam and cutting lines to where I think they should be, but I don't like to do that. I would rather know for sure that I put the pattern together right. I don't want to end up with an oval instead of a circle, or with spikes of different widths. I am afraid that if I don't get the center circle cut and sewn exactly right, that the rest of the quilt will be hard to put together and won't lie flat.

Also, what is the diameter of the circle on the template supposed to measure - from seam line to seam line?

Suggestion: Before you print out these templates on expensive foundation sheets, you might want to print them on plain paper first, to see how yours go together.

Judy

[Judith A.]

I found that the middle ring with the applique circles was a bit off. i had to reposition the tape and fudge it a few times, and it's still not quite perfect. i hope this is not a problem that will be magnified exponentially as i work outwards....

[Judith A.]

Mine is not printing correctly. Page scaling is set to none and if I try to print from Explorer or Adobe it chops off the right hand side of the page. If you look at the print preview their is a gray area all around the outside, which means it's outside the print area. I printed a copy off at work on plain copy paper and it printed fine. The only difference between home and work is the printer. I REALLY want to start on this , but can't get the template to print correctly . l will to take my paper to work tomorrow and print it off there. Why is it doing this? I do not have this issue printing out other paper piece patterns.

[Chris T.]

I think that is a very good question raised earlier in this thread. What should the diameter of the circle be. Knowing this will ensure one has printed it off correctly.

[Chris T.]

When printing the templates , I do get the centre circle on 4 separate sheets as I think I should but my printer does not give the scalable option as 'None', it says 100%. Is this right?

[Mary A.]

The diameter of the circle can be easily deduced. The pale gray graph lines in the background of the templates are at two inch intervals, giving a diameter of 12" for template 1. If your grid lines don't measure out at 2", you will need to troubleshoot and check if your printer is actually set to page scaling = none.

[Judith A.]

I have scaling set to None. Never had a problem printing templates before. I do a lot of paper-piecing, and also print the Wild Ginger Patternmaster Boutique patterns for garment sewing.
I never thought to figure out what the circle diameter should from the 2" grids! I should have thought of that. Duh! Thank you!

[Judith A.]

I had to try this for myself! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

Yes, I also find that the template is larger than the printable area on my printer. The registration marks are outside the margin. However, if you hold your templates up to the light, or put them on a lightbox, you can see that the lines and the numbers 17 and 18 overlay each other from page one to page two, so you can line it up that way. To double check you can make sure your grid lines are exactly 2" across the seam.

To reduce the bulk I would just trim off the unprinted margin, but don't cut any part of the printed paper, or it will be harder to line them up.

That was a very good suggestion to try printing on plain paper first!

When you print at work, are you using a laser printer? I wonder if laser printers have a larger print area than inkjets.

[Judith A.]

I had to try this for myself! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

Yes, I also find that the template is larger than the printable area on my printer. The registration marks are outside the margin. However, if you hold your templates up to the light, or put them on a lightbox, you can see that the lines and the numbers 17 and 18 overlay each other from page one to page two, so you can line it up that way. To double check you can make sure your grid lines are exactly 2" across the seam.

To reduce the bulk I would just trim off the unprinted margin, but don't cut any part of the printed paper, or it will be harder to line them up.

That was a very good suggestion to try printing on plain paper first!

When you print at work, are you using a laser printer? I wonder if laser printers have a larger print area than inkjets.

I do print on a laser printer, but today it's not working.. go figure , has to be the operator??
Tried it again last night at home and if I tell it to print borderless like a picture, then it prints the reg marks and the grid is 2" , but boy howdy the pages kinda tweaked a bit so there is a slight ripple to the pattern. Ugg , not sure what is going on! All I can do is give it try and not with my good fabric. :? will try your suggetion on the lightbox. 3rd times the charm right.

[Judith A.]

My Canon inkjet just about has a heart attack if I suggest that it do borderless printing on plain paper. :roll: There is a long list of caveats, including a warning that the scale may change. I would make sure your gridlines are still exactly 2" if you try this.

[Chris T.]

I have printed the templates on a laser and an inkjet without borders and even though the grid lines are 2 inches, it doesn't come together right using the registration marks. I think holding it over a light box to align the pattern then measuring the gridlines over the join is the answer (I hope).

Chris

[Chris T.]

My Canon inkjet just about has a heart attack if I suggest that it do borderless printing on plain paper. :roll: There is a long list of caveats, including a warning that the scale may change. I would make sure your gridlines are still exactly 2" if you try this.

No warnings on my printer I have an HP all in one never had this issue before and the grid is at 2" , but will remeasure it again. I don't understand why some have no issues and others can't get it to print right and we all have the scaling at none. Didn't expect this much frustation in the beginning, I thought sewing a circle into the quilt top was going to be the issue. I will remeasure it and if it is indeed off, I give up. Maybe Sarah or somebody at the The Quilt Show can shed some light on this?

[Christine H.]

My Canon inkjet just about has a heart attack if I suggest that it do borderless printing on plain paper. :roll: There is a long list of caveats, including a warning that the scale may change. I would make sure your gridlines are still exactly 2" if you try this.

I have a Canon inkjet printer and am doing the same as you, but templates 1,3 and 4 print OK but template 2 causes the website and printing operation to crash - any ideas?

[Christine H.]

My Canon inkjet just about has a heart attack if I suggest that it do borderless printing on plain paper. :roll: There is a long list of caveats, including a warning that the scale may change. I would make sure your gridlines are still exactly 2" if you try this.

I have a Canon inkjet printer and am doing the same as you, but templates 1,3 and 4 print OK but template 2 causes the website and printing operation to crash - any ideas?

Chris, I am not doing the borderless printing. I will use my plan with the lightbox to line up the lines and numbers from the edge of one page to the next. Actually, I have ordered a bunch of vellum sheets just to help with this. I would hate to start out so early with any distortion in my templates. Hope that helps!

[Christine H.]

Actually, I had a problem with my Stable Stuff order last week, and now I am glad I did, because I decided to use vellum instead! Everything is always working out for the best! :wink: