I'm not following a "pattern" and since this is my first, I really don't know what to think yet.... I'm doing crumb squares that are 6" squares - and I think I'd like to do maybe a 1" border/grid that will frame each one (what is this called, btw?), plus some sort of an outside border..... If I was going for a twin sized quilt, about how many of these squares do I need to make? I'm at 18 now and it seems like I have a loooooong way to go.... (I actually don't know yet exactly what size this will wind up being - I was just looking for a ballpark # so I don't get discouraged!) :D

Hi, it looks like you are a night owl, too. My math skills are not the best, but I'll try to help....I have a reference book. lol

A twin size mattress TOP measures 39 x 75 inches. Add a 10 inch drop (so it drapes over the sides) and that would be 59 x 85 inches. Add another 10 inches if you want it to tuck over the pillow on a bed and that equals 59 x 95. Let's say you want the 59 x 85 option......

So - if your patched piece is 6 inches - 6 goes into 59 nearly 10 times
6 goes into 85 14 times = 10 times 14 = 140 -this means you need 140 6 inch pieces.

If you want to add a 1 inch sashing - lol - the term is sashing - lol - figure that by subtracting 11 inches from the width - 59 minus 11 equals 48
then subract 15 inches from the length - 85 minus 15 equals 70

Now you need to divide 48 inches wide by 6 - equals 8
and 70 inches divided by 6 equals (well it equals 11.6) better make it 12! lol

Now figure 8 times 12 equals 96. you need to make 96 of the 6 inch pieces.

I usually have to make a quick little drawing of the rows to help me count and figure this kind of stuff out ! I got straight A's in art classes but an F in algebra. There may be a simpler method and I'm sure other members of the message board will jump in with suggestions, but this should be in the ball park. I hope it helps.

I used the amounts of 11 inches and 15 inches for the sashing because you need to account for above and below the first and last rows on the length of the quilt ....and you have to account for before and after the first and last rows on the width, too.

To add a border, use the same formula and subtract the width of the border from the width and length and divide the new measurements by 6 to calculate the new total number of 6 inch blocks needed. The wider the border .... the fewer blocks to make..... :D

Just enjoy the process ... don't rush ... and try not to make deadlines and promises that put you under so much pressure that you can't enjoy your hobby. Have a good night (I guess that would be morning - it is 3 am here)

I made one that is for a twin.. well I'm still working on designing the borders, but I believe my blocks are 6" too. I didn't put any sashing between mine. Instead I put a 6" tone on tone block between each crumb block and put them all on angles. I think I had close to 80 blocks when that part of the quilt top was completed. Once you get started they become very addicted and alot of fun to make!!!!!!

Good luck with your quilt!

Did you allow for seam allowances?

For this type of thing I just start making them and then lay them out every so often to see how I'm doing.

Drawing out a tentative plan on graph paper is really helpful for doing the math.

Are your crumb blocks six inches now? or six and one-half inches?

Bottleblonde - you may have gotten an F in Algebra, but your instructions were very easy to understand. How do you do this at 3 in the morning?

Renee

My blocks are 6" NOW - so will be 5.5" sewn in. Thanks so much for all those detailed instructions! I'll have to print it off and study it... I love the creative end, but quilting may be a problem for me as I don't want to use my left brain. Anyway, it looks like I have a ways to go! And I will be needing more fabric for sure then.

I had started out thinking I'd make a lap blanket for the back of the couch, but I'm loving the blue/green/purples of it so much that I'd really love it in a size that will actually be used - I want to wrap myself in it! :roll:

When I get boggled on a pattern, I draw it on grid paper. ! grid = 1 square. That way the size of the square doesn't matter and you can concentrate on the layout. Count out each number of squares in each row.

LOL - thanks, Renee - it must have been a Thanksgiving miracle that I could figure that properly at 3 am :D I used to work at night - so 3 am is like 7 pm to me. I left that job 7 months ago, but I still get my hours turned around sometimes.

You know there has got to be a website that all you do is plug in the numbers and it calculates for you...if anyone knows where to find it, please, I beg you, tell me where it is ! LOL

Is that a 6" block before its sewn with a 1 /2 seam allowance?
I use 6 1 /2 inch squares for a twin, just blocks butting them together and I need 10 x 14= 140. Thats including the 1 /2 seam allowance.
I want to do a quilt like your talking about with the block being framed.
Enjoy the process.

simple quilter

Hmmmmmmm.... wow, I have a long way to go! :shock: I have only 25 completed so far. And I believe mine are 6" now - so will be 5-1/2" in the quilt. And I'm still not positive if I want to just put them together or have fabric in between. I'll have to lay them all out and see when I get more done. I have no clue how to do that window-pane look - would have to do more research!