Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
How to figure out how much fabric is needed >

How to figure out how much fabric is needed

How to figure out how much fabric is needed

Thread Tools
 
Old 01-22-2014, 01:55 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Seal Beach, CA.
Posts: 595
Default How to figure out how much fabric is needed

I found a block I would like to make into queen size quilt but don't know how to figure how much fabric I would need to make something that size. Is there somewhere I can find this information? Any help would be appreciated.
bbeyes is offline  
Old 01-22-2014, 02:43 PM
  #2  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Default

you just have a block pattern? if so, first you need to determine the size of the quilt- *measurements* --- then divide length & width by the size of the block ( ie: quilt size = 80 x 90 ---- blocks = 10" you need 8 across, 9 down---or 72 blocks.) now list each fabric in the block and the size of each fabric- figuring 40" wide fabrics- divide the fabric (ie: fabric one = (4) 2 1/2" squares per block---{4 x 72 blocks = 288 2 1/2" squares} 40" wide fabric will let you cut (16) 2 1/2" squares- which means you need 18 *2 1/2"* strips to cut 288 squares....(18) 2 1/2" strips = 45" or 1 1/4 yard (36" + 9") ....so, that is the process...now you need to fill in your own measurements.
ckcowl is offline  
Old 01-22-2014, 02:45 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
stillclock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 764
Default

i have this awesome book:

http://www.amazon.ca/Patchwork-Minus.../dp/1592172806

it is a bible for me, and has never ever failed me in terms of calculating yardage.

all i have to do is add up how many of each shape i need to make a given block and look up the chart.

wait. not that many pennies. holy cow. it must be out of print...

i know my lqs has an app for that...is that helpful?

yikes. sorry about that!

aileen
stillclock is offline  
Old 01-22-2014, 03:03 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North DFW
Posts: 603
Default

I would like to know the anwer, too. I never know how much to get.
Suzanne57 is offline  
Old 01-22-2014, 03:11 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
soccertxi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,659
Default

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...qid=1390431459

There are a few here that are used for much less.

I like to do this kind of math when I am sitting waiting in airports! Pick one shape in your block. Count how many you need for one block. multiply that by how many blocks you need.

Say you need 4 3 1/2 inch blocks for this block. And you need 12 blocks

4 X12 = 48 blocks (total for that piece for the whole quilt)
now to decide how many will fit in a strip

40 (width of fabric...yours might be bigger...I go smaller just in case) /3.5=11.42/per strip of fabric
48 (what you need)/ 11/strip=4.3 or 5 strips of 3.5 inch fabric with some left over

Clear as mud? lol
soccertxi is offline  
Old 01-22-2014, 03:56 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 243
Default

Don't forget to include seam allowances in your measurements. Also, do you plan to use sashing or borders? If so you must also include these in your plans. I like to draw mine out on graph paper using the same scale for all measurements. This allows one to make sure your plans are in proper proportion. You can adjust sashing and border measurements if need be to obtain the correct size. I like to use Paint to draw my quilt and use colors to bring it to life as it should look when finished. If you need to cut more than one size block from a fabric be sure to plan before you cut. Careful planning will avoid wasting fabric.
abc123xyz is offline  
Old 01-22-2014, 07:25 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,052
Default

You can also do this with The Quilters Calculator. My husband bought me one a couple of years ago for Valentines Day.
Jackie Spencer is offline  
Old 01-23-2014, 04:55 AM
  #8  
Power Poster
 
QuiltnNan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,433
Default

this is another reason i love my EQ5... it calculates the approximate yardge
QuiltnNan is offline  
Old 01-23-2014, 04:59 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
GailG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 6,764
Default

Originally Posted by soccertxi View Post
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...qid=1390431459

There are a few here that are used for much less.

I like to do this kind of math when I am sitting waiting in airports! Pick one shape in your block. Count how many you need for one block. multiply that by how many blocks you need.

Say you need 4 3 1/2 inch blocks for this block. And you need 12 blocks

4 X12 = 48 blocks (total for that piece for the whole quilt)
now to decide how many will fit in a strip

40 (width of fabric...yours might be bigger...I go smaller just in case) /3.5=11.42/per strip of fabric
48 (what you need)/ 11/strip=4.3 or 5 strips of 3.5 inch fabric with some left over

Clear as mud? lol

It may be clear as mud, but that's how I do it also. I always buy a "little" extra. ;o)
GailG is offline  
Old 01-23-2014, 05:52 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 574
Default

Originally Posted by QuiltnNan View Post
this is another reason i love my EQ5... it calculates the approximate yardge
I just barely upgraded to EQ7 and hope that I learn how to use it for planning quilts!
DonnaPBradshaw is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sewverybusy1
Main
25
07-12-2016 07:36 AM
Hockeyrabbit
Main
4
03-17-2012 06:24 PM
oneteappot
Main
52
08-19-2011 01:45 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
08-14-2011 08:38 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



FREE Quilting Newsletter