How much fabric to use
#11
Originally Posted by traveling2dals
To DebraK- Let say i have 180 squares at 5 inches and 4 different colors to buy. I think thats 60x60. My own pattern, just blocks.
This is how I do the math.
180squares/4(colors)= 45 squares per color.
I usually use 40" as width. So, 40"/5"= 8 squares.
Which means you can get 8 squares on a 5" strip (selvage to selvage).
Now you calculate how many strips you need to make 45.
45/8=5.6 round this up to 6. So 6 x 5"=30" which is 30/36= 0.83 yard
which you round up to 1 yard and you get a little extra for stash or insurance. See?
#14
Originally Posted by pdcakm
go to joanns with a 40 or 50 percent coupon and buy the fabri-calc. it really works.
#15
I usually eyeball it, and over purchase. The fabric calc is a good suggestion. I'm assuming you don't have Electric Quilt or another design program...it's just another benefit if you do because you can draw up your quilt before hand in the exact size and it will figure yardage for you.
#16
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
Originally Posted by traveling2dals
To DebraK- Let say i have 180 squares at 5 inches and 4 different colors to buy. I think thats 60x60. My own pattern, just blocks.
Why can't it be 5 different fabrics of the same color/value? But the texture of the prints is different, giving some life to the pattern. So you're using 20 different fabrics. It really doesn't cost much more as your buying FQ's instead of yardage.
And this way you never "run out" of a particular fabric. If you're short because you want more blocks, you just buy another FQ of the same color. As long as they're spread out on the quilt top, it will look fabulous.
And it always makes for a much more interesting quilt.
#18
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danmar
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03-12-2010 05:56 PM