Do you love using the My First Alphabet paper piecing pattern, but need a different size than what’s available? You’re in luck! Here are some paper piecing instructions to help you resize your pattern to just what you need!
The following instructions work with any of my alphabet paper piecing patterns, and the concepts can be applied to any pattern.
First, let's talk printing
![MFA Print Dialog Scale blog MFA Print Dialog Scale blog](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MFA-Print-Dialog-Scale-blog-600x390.png)
Scaling
If you would like to change the size of your pattern, here are some different percentages that you can scale your pattern to.
3 inch Pattern
![](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FBP-Scaling-MFA-blog.jpg)
This is IMPORTANT
![IMG_20160919_151829989 blog IMG_20160919_151829989 blog](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_20160919_151829989-blog.jpg)
To adjust the seam allowance, align the 1/4″ mark on your ruler with the INSIDE line (I drew over it in green) of the seam allowance (SA – the shaded area). Draw a line all the way down the side (it will be larger than the printed SA if you scaled down, and inside the SA if you scaled up).
![IMG_20160919_151931797 blog IMG_20160919_151931797 blog](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_20160919_151931797-blog.jpg)
![IMG_20160919_152022439 blog IMG_20160919_152022439 blog](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_20160919_152022439-blog.jpg)
Next I shade in all of the new SA so I know exactly what is what.
![IMG_20160919_152050780 blog IMG_20160919_152050780 blog](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_20160919_152050780-blog.jpg)
Then cut out around the SA. Now I have a 2″ (finished) letter with a 1/4″ SA.
![IMG_20160919_153702959 blog IMG_20160919_153702959 blog](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_20160919_153702959-blog.jpg)
Now you have small letters with an accurate seam allowance! Hooray!
Enlarging
Piecing Tips
![](https://fromblankpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_20160920_165218951-blog-1.jpg)
These strips will be enough to cover all of the vertical letter sections. I will need a few more strips for the horizontal sections. If you are using directional prints, but the fabric 1 1/4″+ tall, and then trim the width based on the section.