I flunked math, so....
 

I could use some help.

The fat quarters I have are all stripes, and I have to cut pieces measuring 3.5" x 7.5". The pieces should be half vertical and half horizontal. I just can't figure out how to get the most bang for my buck, to cut which first or whether it makes any difference.

I hope I am making sense..:confused::confused::confused::confused:

fat quarters vary in size lately. can you provide the sizes of your fat quarters?

Do you mean like a mitered corner? I have a rail fence and want to use some striped shirts where the corners would be mitered. Never mind I don't think that's what you have in mind. Somebody helppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!

I'm extremely math challenged, too. Will be watching the thread as I have always wondered how to work with stripes. Thanks for starting the thread.

Anita

My FQs are pretty consistent, none under 18" x 22", most have a little more.

No, nothing about miters, I just need to know the best way to get the most strips (half of them vertically striped and half of them horizontally striped) out of the FQs.

Does it matter where on the stripes you cut? Some striped fabrics are " uneven" and where you cut on the pattern might matter.

You could take graph paper and sketch it out. Or take a piece of newspaper the size of a fq and draw the blocks on it as a test run

I sketched this out on notecards.

Assuming your fat quarter is 18"x22", your best bet is probably to cut the fat quarter in half first, making 2 pieces that are 18"x11". This will yield 6 rectangles with stripes going one way and 5 rectangles with strips going the other way. If you must have the same number each way, then the most you can get is 5 sets.

If you cut the rectangle in half the other way (so it measures 9"x22"), you get 6 rectangles with stripes going one way but only 4 rectangles with stripes going the other way.

I'm not feeling that great today, so I hope somebody checks my reasoning. You could check it yourself by coloring two sheets of graph paper with stripes; make each graph square 1". Then divide and cut both ways to see if I am right.

If your fat quarters are a different size than 18"x22", all bets are off.

I basically agree with Prism99 but I think you would get 5 stripes going one way and 8 going the other way--but if you need matched pairs that nets out to 5 with some extra fabric. If you didn't have the stripe issue you can get a total of 14 rectangles out of your full fat quarter.

Wow, I will try this tomorrow! I knew you all would have the answer for me. I'll report back and let you know.

Thank you so much!!

Renate

If she doesn't pop in soon, PM Jan in VA. She seems to be the guru on how to make the most of your cuts.

You can get 6 of each with a good piece left.

Cut 7.5" x 22" off one side and subcut to 6 pieces 3.5"x7.5". (6x3.5=21" - you will have at least 1" left over at the bottom.)

You have 10.5"x22" remaining. Cut two pieces that are 7.5x10.5, subcut each into 3 pieces that are 3.5x7.5.

You will have 7"x10.5" remaining. You could make more of one type of block with these, and if your FQs happen to be 22.5" instead of 22", you could make more of either type.

Good job Dunster--your layout was more efficient than mine!

The illustration really helps. Let us hope that her F Qs are " full-sized"

She said none were under 18x22. That's unusual.

Yowza! Tried both methods and they work like a charm! This is great, thank you all so much!!

Renate

At first I found your comment unusual and then I remembered...... I have NEVER had a fat quarter not be a fat quarter until..... 1 time (and the last time!) I bought a dozen fat quarters at Joann's and none of them were 18x22. They were all short! I have been quilting since the 80's and have literally bought all of my fabric at quilt stores. After being on QB for awhile, I thought I would try "chain store" fabric because people talked about it so much. Boy I will never do that again! To each his own but there is no comparison in quality. Besides, even though it may be a bit more expensive I would rather support the small business owner any day. Just my humble opinion. :)

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YES !! Jan is definitely a go to person !!

I totally agree with you. I am a newbie and made the mistake of buying fabric from that same chain store. Boy have I learned lots and lots from this board.