Problems with patterns

[RAIN MAN]

I have just purchased a couple of wildlife pattern books and the pattern cuts are so close together that I dont see how you can cut them and keep the over all look that it is suppose to look like. Trying to explain what I'm talking about may depend on weather you have seen these type of patterns or not. I am very dissapointed in some of these books. I talked to one of the designers and I was told I did'nt have to follow the pattern exactly and I know that but these are so close that you would lose the overall effect you want if you dont. Just wanted to know if anyone has come across this and how you deal with it. I'm not kidding, these cuts are way to close together. Would appreciate any advise. Tks, Rain Man

[Jediscroller]

Rain Man,
Alas, with the advent of self-publishing, anyone can create a pattern "book." Sometimes a pattern that looks great on paper just isn't cuttable which is why I'm a big proponent of test cutting patterns prior to offering them for sale. I know I've created and cut quite a few that I just won't offer for sale due to the problem you're referring to. If it's a gray with black outline pattern, I'll cut inside the black line (as opposed to cutting right on the line). This usually gives me enough space between cuts while still looking as it should. If it's just black and white then I do my best to cut just inside the edge of the black. Some folks will mark patterns up with a pencil or white-out as well to make them more cuttable.
One other option is to enlarge the pattern if at all possible. Perhaps the pattern was designed to be cut at 11 X 14 or 16 X 20 and if printed at 8 X 10 you will end up with cuts that are way too close together.

[Richard Grover]

I agree with Kevin. Sometimes a little pattern manipulation is all that is required. If you have studied any of Jeff Zaffino's patterns you will know that he really pushes the envelope on how close together two cuts can be. Take your time and it will come out fine. It is no fun to always remain in your comfort zone of patterns. Push your self and your abilities and you will be amazed at what you can do. I have cut things that I NEVER thought that I could and want to continue to push and develope my abilities. So GO FOR IT, just remember to send pictures if possible. We all love to see pictures.

DG Dewalt 788

[Pajaro]

Or if possible enlarge the pattern a little to give the tight spots a little breathing room.

[lucky788scroller]

Rainman, I am not sure what patterns your talking about, but if they are to close for comfort for you, on your Eclipse saw, than chances are they are just to close indeed.You could try enlarging them to add more beef to the piece, but I can see your point, you still need the pattern to fit its intended pallette.

[RAIN MAN]

Thanks for the comments. I'll be able to work it out on some of these but not all. They're great patterns but darn hard to figure them out. I just see a change in patterns lately that puzzles me. As was mentioned about Zaffino's patterns is that they are pushing the edge which pushed us. I give him credit for teaching me how to go after a challange. His patterns are pretty tight, but these are too much. Most of the cuts run toghether, heck some even run into each other. !!!!!!! as close as that. Well, Im gonna try this Eagle first I guess. I just gotta find the nerve pills first. Thanks all, Rain Man

I COMPLETELY agree with you. As Kevin (Jedi) mentioned, it's the outline that makes it look impossible. When I turn my patterns in to be published....they are like my usual ones...all grey and white. Due to popular request, those patterns end up published with black outlines. It is THOSE outlines that make it look so impossible to cut. The purpose of the black outline is a good one, but to me it crowds a pattern more. I wish somehow the black line could be just to the inside of the pattern cut outs.
I DO take part of the blame. If I get more patterns published I need to turn them in already outlined to avoid this.

[RAIN MAN]

Charles, no blame here. I have a a few new pattern books and I have just wondered why the cuts seem too close for cutting. I have your Native American patterns and I dont have any problems with those. Just thought it may be a publishing problem. Tks,Rain Man

[Richard Grover]

Rainman,

I was cutting a piece last night and I had a revelation that might help in your situation. I have been cutting for several years now, but this never dawned on me until last night. The pattern I was cutting actualy had heavy black lines which caused some cuts to run close together. The question was always "Where on the line do I cut?" I always concentrated on the actual hole that I was cutting out. Last night it dawned on me to concentrate on what was being left NOT on what was being removed. All of a sudden everthing made perfect sense and I knew exactly where on the line to cut. Sometimes it was to the inside of the line and other times it was to the outside of the line, but focusing on what remained always made it clear where I should be cutting. Hope this helps.

DG Dewalt 788

[RAIN MAN]

Thanks Richard,I appreciate the advice. I will check out the book again but I feel like I wasted my money. You would'nt believe these patterns. I'm serious,many of them actually touch and run over one another. It supprised me when I recieved the book because the designer is very well known. I have been scrolling for many years and have never had this problem before. I think some designers are trying to up the challange a bit but it has become more of a frustation than a challange. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy a real challange but these are just dumb. Well, enough whining for one night, but very dissapointed. Tks,Rain Man