Thursday, March 8, 2012

Thursday Tidbit - Math for Quilters, Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 of Math for Quilters!

You've built your blocks.  Now it's time to set them all together with sashing, posts, and borders.  If you're not familiar with the terminology:  sashing is the spacers between the blocks, posts (or cornerstones) are the little squares where the sashing intersects, and borders are the frames around the center of the quilt.

Are you ready for this?  Grab a calculator and a cup of coffee!

I've drawn a sample quilt in EQ7.

And here are the sample quilt facts:
Notice that these are FINISHED sizes!

FACT:  You MUST add 1/2" to the finished size of any piece in a quilt - block segments, sashings, borders - before you cut any fabric in order to allow for (2) 1/4" seam allowances.  This is known as the "cut size", as opposed to the "finished" size".

This table was designed for you, the student, to fill in the numbers based on the quilt picture and the quilt facts.  Since you're not working this on paper with a pencil, I have filled in the answers for Finished Size, Quantity, and Cut Size.  Compare this chart to the quilt diagram to see how I calculated the answers.


What is the finished width of this quilt?  50"
What is the finished length of this quilt?  63"

Helpful Hint:  Remember to SUBTRACT the 1/4" seam allowance as pieces are sewn together when calculating the size of the next piece to be added (especially when calculating borders!).

You now know exactly how big your quilt will be based upon the block, sashing and border sizes you have chosen.  You can alter any of these dimensions to make a different sized quilt.

Next week:  It's time to shop!  How much fabric would you need to buy to make this quilt?  I'll show you how to figure that out!

1 comment:

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said...

Great post! Thanks for all of the helpful info.