Help in need of a math wiz.
 

Hi Ladies, I am making a quilt that has a panel in the center, it is 44 1/2 inches wide and 35 inches long, and I can't for the life of me figure out what size blocks to make. Is there anyone out there that can help me? Please? Thanks, Lori

well I tried 7 inch blocks, 6 and then 4. 4 worked. it must divide equally into 44. same with the 35 inches, I got 5 inch blocks. 5 1/2 with seam allowances of course. so 4 1/2 inch blocks and 5 1/2 inch blocks.

if you want the blocks the same size you could add a simple border to start with making the quilt center 48 x 40 would make it possible to make 8" blocks...or what ever size you would like to make- just add a border first- I have used 9-patch corners with 3 strips of border fabric to 'frame' lots of panels before moving on to blocks- works out well...or any type of border you like that would bring the panel into a size that is easier to work with

I have done a few quilts with panels in the center, and sometimes the sides do not make it possible to add blocks. Same as ckcowel above, I would add borders as needed to make it easier to determine the number of blocks required to go around the panel. I have added borders on opposite sides to make the design look even. This type of border is called "spacer border."

I'd probably do 5" (finished) blocks and ease them into the 44.5" side. 5" works on the 35" side, too. Oops, forgot the 0.5" of seam allowance on each dimension. More easing, then.

With that side panel, I usually just add 5" borders (or 5" of borders) on each side and call it done.

I would add a border to each side, to make it come out to something that was divisible by either 4, 5 or 6, and go from there with pieced blocks, just mho. I have done several panels this way.