Help with maximizing already cut fabric
 

I am looking forhelp cutting material. I need to maximize what I have and amstraining my brain on the best way to do this. I am making 2 quiltsfrom the same leftover material. The material I have is already cutinto 8 inch strips for the first quilt which is going to be apinwheel quilt.


The second quilt isan offset diamond pattern that is made up of squares and 4 patches.The pattern calls for 4 1/2 inch squares and 2 1/2 inch 4-patches(unfinshed sizes). Ideally, I will need to get the same number ofsquares/patches be to keep the pattern balanced. (ie 2 – 4 inchinch, I would like 2 4-patches)


I am not sure how to cut this. But I have a couple of ideasthat I wanted to run by some experts before I start cutting or shouldi figure out how to resize the diamond pattern.


If I cut my stripsinto four 8 inch squares it will leave me with 8 by 10 inch piece. How do I cut that piece into two 41/2 inch squares and four 2/1/2inch squares (or two 21/2 by 5's)? Can it be done?


Or do i resize thediamonds. If this is the best option, what is the new size of thesesquares?


Does this make anysense? Do you have any ideas to help out a newbie?

Dee

Yes, it can be done. Cut a 2.5 strip off of the 10" side. That will be your 4 2.5" squares. There is enough after that to cut 2 4.5" squares. See this diagram.

jenny, thank you so much. I knew someone here would have the answer and with graph paper.. I should have thought of that.
I really appreciate your assistance, I was given the material for the quilts and being new to quilting, I do not have a stash to pull
extra material from.
Dee :)

You're welcome, Dee. Happy sewing!

I have another question on the offset quilt. I have all of my squares and rows sewn together. so i now have a jagged edge square that I have to cut to square off. The directions state to square of at 3/8 of an inch from the tips of the colored squares. I am wondering if there would be a special reason to[ATTACH=CONFIG]555358[/ATTACH] cut at 3/8 of an inch It seems like a hard ruler line to cut on.....
any thoughts? do you think it would be okay to cut at either 1/2 or 1/4

I hope it was okay to add my question to the same thread.... and that i am not infringing on copyright issues by copying /pasting the pic of the quilt
Dee

I would make the cut at 1/2" above where you want your seam to be.

The 3/8's is to allow enough room to attach binding or borders without loosing the tips of the diamonds. If there is enough fabric, cutting at 1/2" is not an issue, going down to 1/4" may be an issue if you're seams aren't very accurate. 1/2" may leave small v's at the intersections but that isn't an issue as they will be in the seam allowance.