Figuring out block sizes
 

I get all confused when I try to figure out how to make a quilt when all I have is a picture. Is there some formula that works in all sorts of occasions?

Example: I have 5 complimentary fabrics. One is my 'special' one. I would like to make a quilt with that as my focal point in all the blocks with smaller blocks all around it along with sashing. So, if I make the focal block 5" finished size and the sashing 1" finished size, how do I figure out what size to cut the squares around it allowing for sashing and seam allowance?

Clear as mud? :-) Basically I just don't know how to measure and cut without a pattern where someone has already worked it all out. :-) This is one idea:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]553080[/ATTACH]

I certainly don't have a clue as to how to figure the blocks out but I sure love this pattern. Possibly you could draw it out on graph paper (this is what I do) and make the blocks around your focal fabric to match your focal fabric block with the sashing. Good Luck and hopefully someone will help you. Everyone on this QB is terrific in helping.

If the large square is 5" finished and sashing is 1" finished, then the small squares are 2" finished or 2.5" unfinished. I would make 3 units for this quilt . The 5" square, 2 small squares, and 3 small squares. The 2 small squares get sewn to the large square with sashing between. Then you can lay them out and see where you need to add sashing strips. Then sew it together in rows.

If the larger of the squares is 5" the combination of the 2 smaller squares & the 1 inch sashing have to equal 5" so the cut sashing is 1.5" then the 2 finished little squares have to be cut 2.5"..

Ok, got it. I have them cut out for one block. Now I am confused with the sashing. Do I sash each one separetly and then join them? Or sash the ones that don't connect in a straight line first and then sash as many as I can that are in a straight line? Or do strips where I can? I always have problems making a straight line when going in one direction yet there is sashing in another direction separated by sashing that I have to connect so they are in a straight line going the opposite direction.

Example: Pretty quilt but there are so many things wrong with my sewing it isn't fit to give away. :-(

[ATTACH=CONFIG]553084[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]553085[/ATTACH]

Rather than rack your brain trying to figure this out..have you searched Google/Pinterest, for some free patterns that are like what you showed? I know that is a popular setting, and someone may have already done the math for you, since it confuses you to.....

For me, I would make 2 blocks with the 5 smaller ones around it and 2 blocks with 2 smaller ones attached. Then see these into rows. When you attach your rows, mark your sashing on both sides where you want the opposing sashing to line up. I hope this makes sense for you

what do you mean it isn't fit to give away......I love it.

I have found graph paper to be a sewing room staple and my best design tool. I use it a lot! When I want to figure out sizes, make things fit I sketch it onto graph paper. Once I get the design on the paper I can then ( assign) sizes to the squares to come up with block sizes. Just remember to then add seam allowances before diving into cutting. ��

What size quilt are you wanting to end up with? I always start there and work backwards, although math and I are not friends. I do a lot of scratch work on paper with diagrams and stuff and calculator if I must work it out myself. But I would certainly go on a major hunt to find that pattern online first .I'd gladly pay $10-15 for one that didn't make me figure out the math. I figure the time I save, and the time they put into to do that math, is worth it. That said, I've only bought one pattern ever, because I tend to "wing it" on my own with simple patterns, pen, paper...

Have looked online for a pattern and haven't found one yet. I don't adhere to a certain size quilt. They are what they end up being. :-) I've attached my test block. It's a little off in places. My back is hurting and I didn't have enough sense to stop for awhile. :-( I just want to quilt!! lol

Thanks for all the suggestions. It really helped. :-)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]553107[/ATTACH]

I believe this a pattern is not a free pattern. The size of the blocks depend mostly on the size of the quilt you want. I believe having recently examined this quilt that it is made up using a Layer cake and charm squares.

Having some graph paper in your "library" might help you figure this out. Once you determine the finished sizes of each piece, add the seam allowances. I would strip piece those small squares and their sashings as much as possible.

Looks good. If you had eq program that would help, but everyone has the correct measurements.

I think you are on the right track after looking at your sample. Love your focal fabric-it is beautiful. The help you get on this board is fantastic. I have been studying the pattern and I think it will be easy to graphed out. Good luck on your attempt. You are doing great.

actually this IS a free pattern. if you are using Google, right click on the picture and click on 'google image search'

It does not always work but I found it this time

http://blankquilting.net/projects/Ambrosia.pdf

I like this pattern! Thanks for posting the picture!

I sent you a private message

Hi there -

Were you planning to use the same focus fabric in all the larger blocks? That will give you a different look from the ones pictured, which appear to have 2.

You seem to be very good with color! I am wondering, though, from looking at the sample block posted on the next page, if cutting is more the issue than sewing. On my first quilt, I did all the cutting with a small mat on the ironing board because it was high enough to be comfortable for my back. I had a devil of a time getting pieces of a similar size, which created a lot of trouble with sewing. I didn't realize how much it mattered to use a hard surface.

Re patterns, I have only bought two, and from well-known designers, but they were rife with errors. As others have suggested, graph paper can be a life-saver. On my first quilt, because I am fine with math but have trouble with right and left, I even cut out construction paper pieces to make sure the blocks would work. Drawing on graph paper and then handling the paper pieces was much better for me than drafting it on the computer. It might help you, too.

hugs,
Charlotte

Wow, I didn't know you could do this, it would have saved me years of frustration. Where have you been all my life. Do I feel like a dummy, did everyone know how to do this. Thanks for teaching me something new that will make my life so much easier with quilting now.

I hope you can find the pattern, for I really like the looks of this quilt and your focus fabric would make this quilt a stunner.

Wow! Thanks for the URL and how you found it! :-)

Not my cutting. I have a cutting table and large mat and I have put bed risers under the legs to bring it up to ironing board level so my back doesn't hurt so much. It's the sewing. I can't sit for long - usually 15 minutes - and when I want to see the finished block or quilt of whatever I push through the pain and my 1/4" seam ends up anything but straight. I know better but always think I can just do a little more and in reality I can't. :-( Waited all my life for the time, place and room to quilt and it stinks that arthritis all up my back gets in the way. But hey, that's life! Sometimes when the sewing is too bad I just sit and take it all apart and start over. did that on the last top I just made. It looks great second try around. lol

I originally bought the colors to make a fold'n stitch wreath but couldn't just do that without doing a quilt first. Sometimes I get the colors right and other times not so much. :-(

Some of us love playing with the numbers and some don't. For those who don't want to play with the calculations, there is an 'easy' way to figure any block. Use the graph paper - in real numbers. Most paper is 4 squares to the inch. You want to have your focal fabric at a 5" finish, so draw that one in. Use pencil and draw lightly because you may want to change things. Looking at this example, my guess is that the small squares are 2 1/4" finish and the sash is 1/2" finish (I would personally start with 2" finish and 1" sashing - but up to you). Draw those in and see how you like it. Having a bit more trouble visualizing? Cut out some squares in colored paper and lay them on the graph paper. Once you have a block you like, cut out the components (marked as to location or design) and add your seam allowance. Now you know what is required for each block. For the above design, I would consider the block as a 14" x 8" (2 large and 7 small squares). Your example has 8 blocks with 2 fabrics for large squares (5 1/2" x 8 = 44" of 2 fabrics) and 6 different fabrics for the 7 small squares (6 fabrics of 2 1/2" squares and 1 fabric of 2 1/2" square times 2). You can use this technique with any block, but be aware that you made need to adjust if your 'new size' ends up with some funky fractions. A lot easier to change the size of a piece than to cut 8ths or 16ths. Your sashing would be 1 1/2 cut, so just count inches (I think of fabric as 40" WOF) and you will get 24 strips in a yard. Hope this helps. I know it sounds tricky, but as you lay it out, it should make sense.

Your quilt is very pretty. We beat ourselves up so much on our projects! I am sure there are a whole lot of folks that would be thrilled to curl up in this red, white and blue quilt. The only thing I might have done differently is the sashing. I find it difficult to work with very narrow sashing. And having the white sashing next to a white piece makes it disappear. You see how on the back the dark really sets of the blocks? I might have tried to get that same look on the front. I often piece the back with leftovers from the front, but doing a TOTAL piecing of both the sides is a very big undertaking - 2 quilts for one!

I agree with you on the white. It's a QAYG quilt - not my first - but definitely not my best work. I was in a rush (again) and failed to look how the blue sashing on the back was sewn. After I was done and was finishing the front of the quilt I found a lot of pieces that weren't caught by the blue sashing and by that time I was not about to take it all apart and start over. So, I got some fabric glue and glued the pieces down. Obviously I can't give that away. The front wasn't watched either and if you look closely you will see where not all the white sashing faces the right way. :-( That and the fact that the sashing doesn't match up and down and it's home will be here with me.

The blue sashing is 1" and the white 2" folded in half. I should know what I'm doing by now. :-(

My oh My! you are very kind to go to all this trouble. I'm going to print it out and digest it closely. Thank you very much. :-) I'll post my finished top when and if I ever get it done. Seems to take me a long time to figure it all out and then it's over in a week or less. :-) Thanks again.

Glad you found the pattern. I really love it. Be sure to show us your finished quilt.

Don't beat yourself up!LOL ...one of my kids showed me this just a couple months ago. Dontcha just LOVE those 'aHA' moments!