denim circle quilt help
#1
I just recently decided (last night) that my next quilt was going to be a denim quilt and I found a pattern for a circle cathedral window style quilt. I started cutting and tracing the circles and realized that I don't know how to make the size of the square. The square needs to fit inside the circle and the circle is 5 inches in diameter. Can someone help me? I have a feeling this is an easy question but my math skills are failing me right now. Also, does anyone have any idea how many circles I would need to make a twin sized quilt? I'm thinking a lot more then I originally thought.
Thank you!
Sarah
Thank you!
Sarah
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Can't help on the size of the square, but I'm curious if the denim is going to be too thick for all that folding... I would make a couple of test blocks before cutting a whole lot of them. Sounds interesting, though.
Also, welcome from Michigan.
Also, welcome from Michigan.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 361
I just saw this online, but I'm not sure they gave the actual measurements for the square. Try sewing 5 of the circles together in a cross shape, then measure the square area in the center. I know that's the cheater way, but it takes the math out of it.
Found it.... http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...gallbaros.html
draw a square inside your circle and you've got the measurement you need.
Found it.... http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...gallbaros.html
draw a square inside your circle and you've got the measurement you need.
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 211
Try laying your small square ruler inside the circle and the one that is slightly smaller than the circle should work. I helped my daughter make her step daughter one, and I got the original pattern from http://equilters.com/library/jeans/jeans_gallbaros.html
Hope this helps. We used lots of scrap fabrics, and used a varigated thread and a wide zigzag to hold the circle part down over the center fabric. We also put a few pictures we copied in a few of the centers. It turned out very nice. Good luck.
Hope this helps. We used lots of scrap fabrics, and used a varigated thread and a wide zigzag to hold the circle part down over the center fabric. We also put a few pictures we copied in a few of the centers. It turned out very nice. Good luck.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
Posts: 1,180
My question is: the circle diameter is 5 inches, is this before or after sewing? Did you start with a 5.5 inch circle? If you started with a 5 inch circle, and sewed a 1/4 inch seam, you'd end up with a 4.5 inch circle.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
Posts: 1,180
Using my CAD software, I have determined that if your circle is 5 inches after sewing and turning, your square should be 3.5 inches per side.
ETA: for other sized circles (without using math), draw your circle on a piece of paper and cut it out. Fold it in half, creasing it. Then fold it in half again and crease it. Then draw a line from the end of each crease along the edge of the circle. This should give you the measure you need for your square.
ETA: for other sized circles (without using math), draw your circle on a piece of paper and cut it out. Fold it in half, creasing it. Then fold it in half again and crease it. Then draw a line from the end of each crease along the edge of the circle. This should give you the measure you need for your square.
#7
thanks guys! and the pattern is the one that pipp5 gave me the link for, so I'm guessing I don't have to turn them down before sewing because you sew over the seams. But I guess before I start worrying about the squares I should start cutting out some more circles.
and one question pipp5, where did you get all the jean material at? I found a box full that I could use in the back of our sewing room closet and thought I'd have enough, but now that I'm drawing circles, I have a feeling I won't have enough.
and one question pipp5, where did you get all the jean material at? I found a box full that I could use in the back of our sewing room closet and thought I'd have enough, but now that I'm drawing circles, I have a feeling I won't have enough.
#8
Originally Posted by pipp5
I just saw this online, but I'm not sure they gave the actual measurements for the square. Try sewing 5 of the circles together in a cross shape, then measure the square area in the center. I know that's the cheater way, but it takes the math out of it.
Found it.... http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...gallbaros.html
draw a square inside your circle and you've got the measurement you need.
Found it.... http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...gallbaros.html
draw a square inside your circle and you've got the measurement you need.
#9
Oops, just realized that you asked how many circles you will need. I made my circles 7 and 3/4 inches (I used a salad plate as a template - very scientific!!) My quilt measures 52 x 62 inches and I used 120 circles. Hope this helps! Find a thrift shop that has a sale on and buy lots of jeans!! I really enjoyed working with the worn denim. It felt like handling my favourite pair of old jeans.
#10
i just saw a pattern for this in Quilt magazine, Aug/Sept issue on the stands now. easy to do.
you can take a ruler and fit it over your circle until you see what size square will line up inside it. i made a quilt without special rulers or pattern.
brandyquilts.com sells the ruler. you can look at the pics in her site for help too.
you can take a ruler and fit it over your circle until you see what size square will line up inside it. i made a quilt without special rulers or pattern.
brandyquilts.com sells the ruler. you can look at the pics in her site for help too.
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