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How-to Enlarge Scaled Pattern Drawings With Wrapping Paper

by on Jun 1, 2007

A diagram with four beige figures, three vertically on top and one horizontally on bottom.

MWT* started ripping and planing cedar last weekend to make a park bench. At one point, he tossed a scaled drawing of parts through the back door and said, “Can you make a pattern for these?” and promptly closed the door, not waiting for a reply. Since I suggested he make the bench in the first place, how could I say no?

But I didn’t feel like making the 40 minute round trip to Rockler for 1-inch graph paper. In considering the supplies I had on hand, it occurred to me that the back of Hallmark wrapping paper has a one inch grid pattern on the back for ease of cutting. Bingo. I pulled out some of last year’s Christmas wrap, turned it over and got to work expanding the pieces in the pattern to size.

*MWT: Man With Tools

(Park bench pattern can be found in The Art of Woodworking: Outdoor Furniture.)