the next ragged flannels and I figured out how to determine fabrics needed!
#1
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the next ragged flannels and I figured out how to determine fabrics needed!
I've been doing math. :-) This has been very accurate. I cut 7" blocks. The lady at the lqs said I'd get six blocks per strip, but I can only get five--and one 4" which I do use. So if I like the 9 by 11 block size--that's 99 blocks for the front and 99 for the back. If I want four fabrics, that's 25 blocks per fabric. So...since I get five blocks from one strip, I need five strips. 5 x 7 is 35"--that is easy enough but divided by 36" to determine yardage--it'd be .97 of a yard of each of four fabrics. Just for the record--I'd go 1.25 yards to play it safe. ;-) For the back of this next one I'm using all the same fabric. So getting five blocks per strip, and 99 blocks needs 19.8 strips--obviously round to 20 strips. Twenty 7" strips = 140" and divide that by 36" to determine yardage and it comes to 3.88 yards--which of course I'd round to 4.25--just to be safe. lol Can you tell I've learned my lesson by buying a bit more than I think I need?
So--bottom line--to make the size I'm making--54" by 66" you need four yards of fabric for front and four more for the back--total of eight yards.
If one is using a different size block--or wants five fabrics for the front--the calculations are easy.
Hope that helps!
Anyway--here are my fabrics for the next one. Strips are all cut--just need to get them into blocks. I also need to start from scratch with batting squares--I used all I had in the last one. I don't like cutting batting. But--to give a hug-to-go--I'm willing!
Colors--I read somewhere long ago that for a calming effect--the hues must all be similar--even if one is a bit darker than another--contrast much be low. So--that's what I was going for here. The recipient's favorite color is yellow--so that one will be the back. It is BRIGHT!
Two of the fabrics are Buggy Barn flannels--LOVE them. The green is Stonehedge.
So--bottom line--to make the size I'm making--54" by 66" you need four yards of fabric for front and four more for the back--total of eight yards.
If one is using a different size block--or wants five fabrics for the front--the calculations are easy.
Hope that helps!
Anyway--here are my fabrics for the next one. Strips are all cut--just need to get them into blocks. I also need to start from scratch with batting squares--I used all I had in the last one. I don't like cutting batting. But--to give a hug-to-go--I'm willing!
Colors--I read somewhere long ago that for a calming effect--the hues must all be similar--even if one is a bit darker than another--contrast much be low. So--that's what I was going for here. The recipient's favorite color is yellow--so that one will be the back. It is BRIGHT!
Two of the fabrics are Buggy Barn flannels--LOVE them. The green is Stonehedge.
#3
All are pretty, but that bottom one is to DIE for. 6 blocks in WOF would be very ambitious, especially if you pre-washed the flannel. Is this a rag quilt? I use 3 layers of flannel for those rather than using batting. It adds more to the ragging and is easier to deal with than batting. Sometimes I even leave out the middle layer and it's still a nice soft quilt.
#4
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it will be a lovely quilt.. I too use three layers of flannel instead of batting.. Just layer on my go as I would sew them.. makes it easier and faster for me..
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
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I posted a link earlier that has a worksheet to figure out calculations for a rag quilt. When I made mine, I just winged it and wound up having to go buy extra fabric! Good job on figuring it out for yourself!
http://app4.websitetonight.com/proje...Calculator.pdf
http://app4.websitetonight.com/proje...Calculator.pdf
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
Posts: 6,726
I do this too! I used 1 layer cotton for the front and 2 layers of flannel for the batting and backing and I also used my go rag die and did each block by layering the 3 fabrics together. Then you just grab them and sew them together! It certainly made it a breeze to put it together!
#8
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Location: Asheville, previously Lake Vermilion, Tarpon Springs, Duluth, St Paul, Soudan
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Love the fabrics, and your calculation method is spot on, especially including automatic stash building in the calculation. When I sewed clothing, I used to take anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 yard off the pattern envelope requirements, because my mom said they always had a layout that wasted fabric and you didn't ever need that much. Now I use your method---calculate the fabric requirements, add 4" for shrinkage and off grain cutting at the store, then add 1/4 or 1/2 yard just to be safe.
#9
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Location: NY
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Gorgeous fabs Karla. I espeically like that tiny floral right next to the green stonehenge. Too funny, it must be the cold wintery weather here in NY but I have also been working on a flannel quilt but not a rag quilt. I used that same green stonehenge in mine too! I really like working with flannel when it is cold and blustery out. so soft and cozy.
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