I am a fine artist and art teacher by profession so I am quite used to "doing my own thing" I always start with paper and pencil, at this point I don't know any other way.

Joann

same here.

I love it too!

Me too (math major). I also like to just analyze blocks I see on line. I keep a pad of graph paper next to the PC and when I see a quilt, I try and draft the blocks. I find it fun to find the repeating block, which often isn't the 'main' pieced pattern. Even though I can calculate the angles of the blocks I draw, I usually resort to paper piecing the ones with lots of angles.

I don't mind creating my own quilts, but I use the "KISS method" (keep it simple stupid). I've been clear through calculus in college, but that part of the brain is in remission and gives me no assistance when it comes to figuring HST and such. So unless I can find a HST size from another pattern that will work for me, I don't.....I will do something else!

In my former field I used a lot of math - mainly in 1/8th's, so I'm very comfortable with it. It's perfect with my quilting, of course, so its useful. I think most of the time if you sat down with someone who is comfortable with math themselves you can learn it on a practical level, and then it doesn't seem so daunting. I wasn't into math in school, but its amazing what you learn as you get older and your interests change!

Oh boy!!!! We now have all the math helpers names!!!! :-)

While I don't mind doing my own math I refuse to do 5th grade math for other people. Buy a calculator.

My daughter is a math whiz. When I need something calculated she does it for me. on the other hand, when she needs something written, I do for her. she has difficulty writing coherently. We balance each other!

I have two degrees, one in Business Administration and the other in Elementary Education. In my first degree, I survived the math classes by memorizing formulas. I learned more about everyday math in my education methods classes. I learned there to see the math in everyday objects and experiences.

My favorite math related quilting project was to plan seven scrappy quilts for my nieces in controlled color palettes. I don't stash much fabric, but I do like to use lots of different fabrics in my quilts. I'm also frugal, so I try to map out how I can use each piece of fabric several quilts with little waste.

My quilting time was greatly reduced when I returned to work and also needed to sew some clothing, but I still have my cutting diagrams and occasionally take a few hours to cut some new fabric and file it away in my project boxes.