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