How to size a pantograph with Quilt Path

When you select a pattern in Quilt Path for overall quilting, you need to decide how large you want the design and how far apart the repeats should be.  Read the guidelines that I follow below, or watch my video, here.

When you pull up a pattern in Quilt Path in Power Panto, Quilt Path shows the pattern at a certain size, but this is not necessarily the best size.  You are in complete control.

It’s helpful to see the size in context.

• Enter the size of your quilt
• I like to show a grid so I can see how big the design actually is. Go to the Options button at the top right, then turn Pantostacker grid on.
• I also like to show the safe area so I can see how many repeats I can get before advancing. This is at the bottom left.

First, look to see if the designer has a recommended size.  This is usually going to be on the designer’s website or available from where the pattern was purchased.  Sometimes, it’s not available and that’s okay – start with somewhere between 8” and 10”.

Now look at whether the design is too big or too small.

• Look at open areas and the distance between stitching lines.
  • Use the magnifying glass to zoom in

• I think a design is definitely too big if there is open space larger than the size of my palm, or maybe 4” x 4”. I will size it smaller.
• I personally prefer to have regular lines at least ¾” apart and no more than 2” apart.
• Play around to get a size that doesn’t have too many open spots or really dense areas. You can also experiment with the Stagger options to see if that helps fill open spaces.

Next, look at the spacing between the rows.

• Look at the design and see how far apart major elements are from each other and start there. Use the magnifying glass and grid lines to easily see this.
• Look at the whole quilt to see if there is a line of open space between rows. If there is, decrease the vertical spacing.
  • Note that you can go negative if you’re at zero and need to get closer.

Lastly, look at the safe area.

• It might be getting uncomfortably close to the edge of the safe area – make the design smaller – maybe ½” to 1”
• If there’s only one row across with a lot of empty space in the safe area, consider making the design smaller to fit in two rows in a pass.
• If the size has been changed, look at the spacing between rows again.

Keep track of patterns you’ve used at what size and any notes for what you might want to change in the future.

Some additional considerations on scale of design.  You may go bigger or smaller based on:

• Batting used
  • Very dense quilting with cotton batting creates a stiff quilt but is gorgeous on wool.
  • Don’t go farther apart than your batting recommends
• The quilt’s use
  • Quick finish – more open design
  • Show quilt – more dense design
• Scale of the piecing pattern or fabric
  • Smaller motifs or blocks may need a smaller scale design
  • Larger motifs or blocks may need a larger scale design
• Your personal preference. You are in control!  Experiment and have fun!