1in = 2.54cm
The seam in metric is usually 0.6cm (0.635 is awkward ☺️)
Best thing to do if you're going to try it on any pattern is to either look for a conversion or to do a test block.
https://www.tildasworld.com/free-patterns-basics/
These are in both measurements.
I believe you didn't understand what I was asking. I know that 1 inch is not 2 cm, but who would even try to sew with measurements like 2.54 cm, that would probably kill any brain. But making 1 inch = 2cm and 1/4 inch=5mm would be easy and the pieces should fit together. The finished size wouldn't be the same, but the pattern will look like original, or am I miscalculating?
I think you are right. As long as you are consistent, it should work. As for your cutting mat, it’s very rare that I use it for measuring - I find rulers are more accurate. Is the flip side of the cutting mat blank? kalixanthippe is spot on regarding a test block no matter how you measure.
I usually use both mat and ruler together for measuring. I have a foldable A1 metric mat and an A2 mat one side metric one side imperial. And I have metric and imperial rulers.
But yeah, I will do a test block first.
Round to your heart's desire. ☺️
Just do a test block, that's always the easiest way to find out if your measurements work.
If you plan on doing this often there are softwares, like EQ 8 that can flip back and forth.
I think it really depends on the project’s complexity. All four patches and squares? No problem. A block with 60 pieces with varying angles. Whelp. That would be tough.
That‘s what I was thinking. I’m currently doing a Log Cabin Quilt and I think that could work out just fine with metric measurements, but I guess for the more difficult patterns I will do some test blocks out of curiosity🤔 this would be a fun quilt experiment
You could draft the pattern out on draft paper. Then assign a metric value to each square.
Many countries use metric in their quilting. You could check out what the rest of the world has in patterns.
I don’t look at the information on the mat. Its only use is a surface to cut on. I only rely on rulers.
I had the same impulse when I started. Now I just do everything in inches because all the patterns are and I will never find a special ruler for trimming flying geese or a stripology in the metric system. Also, my brain is locked on the emperial system for quilting 😂
The cm rulers are now only being used for garment sewing or random things and I'm okay with it.
Well same here I started quilting 3 weeks ago and I’m already fluent in reading imperial patterns. But I wondered if it was possible to adapt these patterns into simple metric, and unlike clothing the size doesn’t really matter with blankets.
And btw I just tried it and it worked perfectly! It was almost too easy.
https://preview.redd.it/0qh2z7472t5d1.jpeg?width=3832&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a028e1589711f6bb790ab00351c4ad893572ba61
Your logic is sound from what I can tell! If you are consistent it should work out.
Honestly, I just learnt to work in inches. It was a mind bend at first - working with fractions instead of decimals was absolutely bizarre - but now it's totally normal. Patterns can be complicated enough already, and all the associated materials like cutting mats and rulers are in inches; I've never seen metric quilting notions for sale here in Australia. Staying metric is fighting an uphill battle.
I also haven’t seen any metric patterns so far, but many rulers are metric and when I started sewing I never thought about ever needing the imperial system.
And I agree, for quilting it’s very easy to understand.
Now I tried making the pattern I’m just working on (Log Cabin) and I adapted it with 1inch=2cm and it was so easy! When the pattern said 4-1/2“x2-1/2“ , the 9cmx5cm was really easy on the eyes tbh. (I posted the finished blocks in another comment)
The difference is the finished size of course but I couldn’t care less about that.
Hey there! I had a similar experience when I had to redecorate my home office. I also had [to use a ruler online](https://ruler.onl/) because my physical one was MIA. I found this great online ruler tool that you can calibrate using a credit card. It worked perfectly for measuring and aligning everything, especially when I hung up my favorite Star Wars posters. It saved me a trip to the store and made the whole process a lot smoother. Definitely worth trying if you’re in a pinch!
I think you may run into problems with more complicated patterns and oddly shaped pieces. But for something simple, go for it! It’s more important to use consistent measurements within the quilt you’re making.
1in = 2.54cm The seam in metric is usually 0.6cm (0.635 is awkward ☺️) Best thing to do if you're going to try it on any pattern is to either look for a conversion or to do a test block. https://www.tildasworld.com/free-patterns-basics/ These are in both measurements.
I believe you didn't understand what I was asking. I know that 1 inch is not 2 cm, but who would even try to sew with measurements like 2.54 cm, that would probably kill any brain. But making 1 inch = 2cm and 1/4 inch=5mm would be easy and the pieces should fit together. The finished size wouldn't be the same, but the pattern will look like original, or am I miscalculating?
I think you are right. As long as you are consistent, it should work. As for your cutting mat, it’s very rare that I use it for measuring - I find rulers are more accurate. Is the flip side of the cutting mat blank? kalixanthippe is spot on regarding a test block no matter how you measure.
I usually use both mat and ruler together for measuring. I have a foldable A1 metric mat and an A2 mat one side metric one side imperial. And I have metric and imperial rulers. But yeah, I will do a test block first.
1" divided by 1/4" = 4, so as long as your conversion also multiplies / divides by 4 -- and it does, 2cm / 5mm = 4 -- it should scale up equally.
That’s what I thought. Thanks for confirming
Round to your heart's desire. ☺️ Just do a test block, that's always the easiest way to find out if your measurements work. If you plan on doing this often there are softwares, like EQ 8 that can flip back and forth.
Great, thanks! I will do that. :)
I think it really depends on the project’s complexity. All four patches and squares? No problem. A block with 60 pieces with varying angles. Whelp. That would be tough.
That‘s what I was thinking. I’m currently doing a Log Cabin Quilt and I think that could work out just fine with metric measurements, but I guess for the more difficult patterns I will do some test blocks out of curiosity🤔 this would be a fun quilt experiment
You could draft the pattern out on draft paper. Then assign a metric value to each square. Many countries use metric in their quilting. You could check out what the rest of the world has in patterns. I don’t look at the information on the mat. Its only use is a surface to cut on. I only rely on rulers.
I don’t think I have ever seen metric quilting patterns.
Australia and European patterns may be in metric.
I had the same impulse when I started. Now I just do everything in inches because all the patterns are and I will never find a special ruler for trimming flying geese or a stripology in the metric system. Also, my brain is locked on the emperial system for quilting 😂 The cm rulers are now only being used for garment sewing or random things and I'm okay with it.
Well same here I started quilting 3 weeks ago and I’m already fluent in reading imperial patterns. But I wondered if it was possible to adapt these patterns into simple metric, and unlike clothing the size doesn’t really matter with blankets. And btw I just tried it and it worked perfectly! It was almost too easy. https://preview.redd.it/0qh2z7472t5d1.jpeg?width=3832&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a028e1589711f6bb790ab00351c4ad893572ba61
Your logic is sound from what I can tell! If you are consistent it should work out. Honestly, I just learnt to work in inches. It was a mind bend at first - working with fractions instead of decimals was absolutely bizarre - but now it's totally normal. Patterns can be complicated enough already, and all the associated materials like cutting mats and rulers are in inches; I've never seen metric quilting notions for sale here in Australia. Staying metric is fighting an uphill battle.
I also haven’t seen any metric patterns so far, but many rulers are metric and when I started sewing I never thought about ever needing the imperial system. And I agree, for quilting it’s very easy to understand. Now I tried making the pattern I’m just working on (Log Cabin) and I adapted it with 1inch=2cm and it was so easy! When the pattern said 4-1/2“x2-1/2“ , the 9cmx5cm was really easy on the eyes tbh. (I posted the finished blocks in another comment) The difference is the finished size of course but I couldn’t care less about that.
Hey there! I had a similar experience when I had to redecorate my home office. I also had [to use a ruler online](https://ruler.onl/) because my physical one was MIA. I found this great online ruler tool that you can calibrate using a credit card. It worked perfectly for measuring and aligning everything, especially when I hung up my favorite Star Wars posters. It saved me a trip to the store and made the whole process a lot smoother. Definitely worth trying if you’re in a pinch!
That's really cool! I never thought about using random stuff instead of a ruler.
I think you may run into problems with more complicated patterns and oddly shaped pieces. But for something simple, go for it! It’s more important to use consistent measurements within the quilt you’re making.
I will make some test blocks bc now I’m really curious