MattieMae

Is this something the fabric calculators sold at Joann’s could figure out? I looked at one the other day and decided it looked too complicated.

bearisgray

I use graph paper - This usually works well when I put the correct numbers in the correct places!

For me, drawing/drafting something helps me 'think' better about it.

Prism99

Now for the challenge of cutting those strips out of the least amount of fabric.

Here's how I would calculate for the brown fabric. You need approximately this amount of length in 6.5" strips:
(2x76") + (2x74") + (2x87")+(2x95") = approximately 670" = (670/36") = 18.62 yards of fabric.
However, you can get 6 strips out of one width (42"/6.5") = 6 strips of 6.5" inches each.
So, in order to get enough length for all of the 6.5" strips, you need (670" / 6 strips per width) = 112" = 3.12 yards.
You probably want to add a little bit of length to the strips to allow you to make diagonal joins in the borders, so you probably want to add some extra fabric for that. My minimum purchase of the brown fabric would be 3.5 yards (4 yards if you are going to pre-wash and need extra in case of shrinkage).

For the white fabric, you need approximately the following total length of 4.5" strips:
(2x88") + (2x83") = 342"
You can get at least 8 strips that are 4.5" from one width of fabric:
(40"/4.5) = 8
and possibly 9 strips (42"/4.5) = 9
I would go conservative and count on 8 strips per width of fabric.
342" / 8 = 43" to get the minimum length needed of 4.5" strips
43"/36 = 1.2 yards
You need a little extra for diagonal joins, so I would purchase 1.5 yards of the white fabric (expecting some to be left over).

That's my best estimate of yardages so far.

What I would do with the yardage is first cut it all into strips of the correct width. I would join 2 widths as necessary to get enough for each border as I went, paying attention to where the joins are falling. You could probably rough-out all the borders this way, laying them out as you go, to make sure that the joins are going to fall where you want them. Once you get that done, you can measure the quilt and cut the first two border pieces to correct length (***very*** important to measure, cut and pin before sewing each border, especially multiple borders, to keep the quilt top flat and the edges unwavy), sew them on, iron seams flat, measure the quilt in the other direction, cut the next pair of border strips to length, pin and sew, etc.

sustraley

WOW, thanks everyone. I will try to get on this and when finished, post a picture. So glad I asked this question. You guys are great.

bearisgray

The longer yardages are for if you want/can avoid joins/seams in each border strip. Which is my preference when I'm able to do so -

But many times one has to improvise/piece a border for various reasons:
Only so much of the wanted fabric is available
Only so much money to buy the wanted fabric is available
The design of the print makes one direction more appealing than the other

Good luck.

I'm a wash before cutting person. I've found that most fabrics shrink - but I never know ahead of time if it will be lengthwise, crosswise, or both ways. So I always try to have a bit 'extra' to allow for that - and as Prism said - if you do the diagonal seams for the joins - that also uses a bit more fabric.

ghquilter53

1 1/2 yards first brown stripe, 1 yard white stripe, 1 3/4 yd. second brown stripe. I added just a little for "just in case".

Latrinka

UuuhWeeee, giving me a headache! Gotta get more COFFEE!

Shrink42020

1st 6 inch border = 1 1/2 yds cut 6.5 inch stips , cutting 8 strips
2nd 4 inch border = 1 yard cut 4.5 inch strips, cutting 8 strips
3rd 6 inch border = 1 5/8 yds cut 6.5 inch strips, cutting 8 strips

i tunes has this great App by RKaufman Fabrics called QuiltCal - it is a lifesaver!!

Prism99

I'm pretty sure the yardages above would require straight joins for the border strips, which can work fine for many fabrics. Diagonal joins take up extra length in the strips, which is why my yardage calculations were a little larger.

bearisgray

These yardages would work if the strips are cut width of fabric - and the joins would be 'wherever' - which may or may not matter to you

Draw it out on graph paper and see what will work with the fabric(s) you plan to use.

Also - be sure you check out the width of the fabric(s) you plan to use if you choose to go the width of fabric route. And if you plan to miter the joins or butt the joins.