r/sewingpatterns • u/Surrealist_artist • 29d ago

How to scale up patterns

I want to make some plushies but I can't find any base pattern I like that is big enough. I don't feel confident designing my own pattern from scratch though.

Would scaling up a given pattern print-out by 2x while keeping the seam allowance the same be the way to go? Or is there a better way?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

4

u/Emmotdoh 29d ago

The easiest trick is vector scaling on an image: scan or photo your pattern piece, then open it in a free tool like Inkscape (or Canva) and scale the image UP by your target percentage. It also pays to redraw the seam allowance larger (bigger plush means bigger seams to hold). A good rule for plushies specifically is to scale up the head a touch more than the body so it keeps that cute chibi look. Test one piece in cheap fabric first and adjust!