I just recently decided (last night) that my next quilt was going to be a denim quilt and I found a pattern for a circle cathedral window style quilt. I started cutting and tracing the circles and realized that I don't know how to make the size of the square. The square needs to fit inside the circle and the circle is 5 inches in diameter. Can someone help me? I have a feeling this is an easy question but my math skills are failing me right now. Also, does anyone have any idea how many circles I would need to make a twin sized quilt? I'm thinking a lot more then I originally thought.

Thank you!
Sarah

Can't help on the size of the square, but I'm curious if the denim is going to be too thick for all that folding... I would make a couple of test blocks before cutting a whole lot of them. Sounds interesting, though.

Also, welcome from Michigan.

I just saw this online, but I'm not sure they gave the actual measurements for the square. Try sewing 5 of the circles together in a cross shape, then measure the square area in the center. I know that's the cheater way, but it takes the math out of it.

Found it.... http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...gallbaros.html

draw a square inside your circle and you've got the measurement you need.

Try laying your small square ruler inside the circle and the one that is slightly smaller than the circle should work. I helped my daughter make her step daughter one, and I got the original pattern from http://equilters.com/library/jeans/jeans_gallbaros.html
Hope this helps. We used lots of scrap fabrics, and used a varigated thread and a wide zigzag to hold the circle part down over the center fabric. We also put a few pictures we copied in a few of the centers. It turned out very nice. Good luck.

My question is: the circle diameter is 5 inches, is this before or after sewing? Did you start with a 5.5 inch circle? If you started with a 5 inch circle, and sewed a 1/4 inch seam, you'd end up with a 4.5 inch circle.

Using my CAD software, I have determined that if your circle is 5 inches after sewing and turning, your square should be 3.5 inches per side.

ETA: for other sized circles (without using math), draw your circle on a piece of paper and cut it out. Fold it in half, creasing it. Then fold it in half again and crease it. Then draw a line from the end of each crease along the edge of the circle. This should give you the measure you need for your square.

thanks guys! and the pattern is the one that pipp5 gave me the link for, so I'm guessing I don't have to turn them down before sewing because you sew over the seams. But I guess before I start worrying about the squares I should start cutting out some more circles.

and one question pipp5, where did you get all the jean material at? I found a box full that I could use in the back of our sewing room closet and thought I'd have enough, but now that I'm drawing circles, I have a feeling I won't have enough.

I made this quilt shown in the link. The square should be slightly bigger than your circle. The directions say that the corners should peek out about 1/16th of an inch past the circle. I laid my quilter's rule over the circle and measured it, added 1/16th inch and cut out a boardbox square for a template. Have fun making this. I sure enjoyed it!!

Oops, just realized that you asked how many circles you will need. I made my circles 7 and 3/4 inches (I used a salad plate as a template - very scientific!!) My quilt measures 52 x 62 inches and I used 120 circles. Hope this helps! Find a thrift shop that has a sale on and buy lots of jeans!! I really enjoyed working with the worn denim. It felt like handling my favourite pair of old jeans.

i just saw a pattern for this in Quilt magazine, Aug/Sept issue on the stands now. easy to do.
you can take a ruler and fit it over your circle until you see what size square will line up inside it. i made a quilt without special rulers or pattern.
brandyquilts.com sells the ruler. you can look at the pics in her site for help too.