This article contains the steps for creating a pattern from digital content, like a photo. It both enlarges and prints. I'll be sharing this all in my blog too just to show people our riches on The Mat.
I have with great success in the past turned something I drew freehand into digital content by taking a photo of it ( you have to be directly over it to take the photo) or scanning it.
Create a PDF of your artwork or photo.
Do this by clicking print and looking for the words PDF in the window.
Click this drop down PDF menu open.
Select Save as PDF.
This window will pop open.
Name it and make sure it goes where you want, have it end in .pdf
Open up this PDF
Click Print
You will see this window or something very similar
Now it is time to rejig the settings to enlarge our photo into pattern size.
Click on Poster in Page Sizing
Then increase the size of your pattern until the contents reach your desired size, I choose 350 %
Click on the photo to change the tiling to represent what percentage you've chose.
Click Print.
Tape the pattern together, removing any excess paper.
Go over all important lines with a black sharpie.
Look at it from a distance
Good?
OK.
Create half cross hairs in the corners for lining up if you need it later.
I sometimes do this tracing step on a window in the day time.
Tape your paper pattern onto a tabletop or counter, be aware sharpie might go through so take precautions such as a plastic sheet below the paper.
Tape your tracing medium over the paper.
Trace your lines and be sure to write a word in the margin of the photo so you will know which side is up when it comes time to transfer it.
Remove tracing medium from paper pattern and lay down your backing in it's place, make sure you have about 4 inches of backing outside the actual pattern.
Tape your backing to the plastic covered counter so it won't move.
Tape your tracing medium down on your backing right side up ( this is where that word you wrote comes into play)
Trace over the lines slowly with a new black sharpie, the slower you go the better it will be.
Check to make sure you have done all the lines by lifting up the bottom of the tracing medium only.
All done?
Ok now go over all these lines again so they are clear and sharp.
What a pain in the hoochie but my darlings it will be yours.... all yours! The rewards are great!
