Help with fabric calculations
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 58
Hi,
i am trying to figure out the fabric I will need for a whirlwind quilt. The directions to make a 12 inch whirlwind block say to cut 1 strip 5" X WOF fabric 1 and 2. Sew the 2 strips together. sub cut the strips into 9" squares, then slice each square in half diagonally. then use 4 triangles to create a 12" block.
I want to make a queen size quilt with sashing between the blocks. I am so confused!
Please all you seasoned quilters help out a newbie!
i am trying to figure out the fabric I will need for a whirlwind quilt. The directions to make a 12 inch whirlwind block say to cut 1 strip 5" X WOF fabric 1 and 2. Sew the 2 strips together. sub cut the strips into 9" squares, then slice each square in half diagonally. then use 4 triangles to create a 12" block.
I want to make a queen size quilt with sashing between the blocks. I am so confused!
Please all you seasoned quilters help out a newbie!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 05-19-2019 at 03:17 AM. Reason: remove copyright pic, should have used link
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Peoria, IL -- Midwest Transplant
Posts: 7,260
Ok, talking it out while I type. For those that have already had their coffee, correct me if I counted or multiplied wrong.
So with one WoF, you should get 4 9" blocks, plus a pretty good hunk of scrap. Very unlikely to get 5 blocks, most fabrics I figure with a usable 40-42" width. It will take 2 blocks to make the 4 triangles so you will get 2 blocks per WoF.
As Tranum said, watch the spin! Always cut from the same side of the fabric in the same direction. I just did a project and had I folded the fabric I would have gotten half the pieces unusable for my design. I write myself a big note on a full piece of typing paper with a diagram and something like "right side white on top, cut left to right" in big letters.
Ok, so there is no one set size for a quilt. I'm usually aiming for about 100 inches in length, and about 80+ inches in width for a queen sized.
6x7 12" blocks is a pretty good place to start. That would make it 72x84 without sashing or a border. Add 14" for 2" sashing across, for 86" wide. 16" for the length which puts you right at 100". You can use less blocks and wider sashing or add a border as well.
6x7 = 42, and you get two blocks per WoF, so you need 21 WoF rows, or 105" which would be 3 yards (108") of each fabric if you use only two fabrics -- note: That does not include the sashing. And that works out exactly to the 6-12 yards that I expect to use to make a queen sized quilt!
Otherwise, you should be able to get the two blocks out of a fat quarter (watching your cutting).
So with one WoF, you should get 4 9" blocks, plus a pretty good hunk of scrap. Very unlikely to get 5 blocks, most fabrics I figure with a usable 40-42" width. It will take 2 blocks to make the 4 triangles so you will get 2 blocks per WoF.
As Tranum said, watch the spin! Always cut from the same side of the fabric in the same direction. I just did a project and had I folded the fabric I would have gotten half the pieces unusable for my design. I write myself a big note on a full piece of typing paper with a diagram and something like "right side white on top, cut left to right" in big letters.
Ok, so there is no one set size for a quilt. I'm usually aiming for about 100 inches in length, and about 80+ inches in width for a queen sized.
6x7 12" blocks is a pretty good place to start. That would make it 72x84 without sashing or a border. Add 14" for 2" sashing across, for 86" wide. 16" for the length which puts you right at 100". You can use less blocks and wider sashing or add a border as well.
6x7 = 42, and you get two blocks per WoF, so you need 21 WoF rows, or 105" which would be 3 yards (108") of each fabric if you use only two fabrics -- note: That does not include the sashing. And that works out exactly to the 6-12 yards that I expect to use to make a queen sized quilt!
Otherwise, you should be able to get the two blocks out of a fat quarter (watching your cutting).
#5
Since this is a "math" question I will not be able to help you. However, I want to say that is going to be a beautiful block & if all the others are similar, I'm going to love, love, love that quilt. I'm not quite understanding about the spin of the block & how to cut the fabric but I'm not going to worry about that unless I decide to make a block like yours.
Sometimes things just don't click in my brain like they should.
Can we see the progress of this quilt as you move on with it?
Sometimes things just don't click in my brain like they should.
Can we see the progress of this quilt as you move on with it?
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 58
Thank you IceBlossom! I had a major brain freeze and could not figure this out! I got the pattern from a free site - I hope it is ok to post it here
https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2016/...nd-quilt-block
I haven't decided if I want the florals all the same or to have a variety. I am excited to have fun at the fabric store!
https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2016/...nd-quilt-block
I haven't decided if I want the florals all the same or to have a variety. I am excited to have fun at the fabric store!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 05-19-2019 at 03:18 AM. Reason: make link active
#8
Twin Sister blocks but one will be the negative of the other.
http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/2...-blog-hop.html
#9
Found a different method to make all the blocks same instead of negative/positive
but it does not involve strip piecing. It can also be paper-pieced.
http://www.blocklotto.com/2019/03/ap...-twin-sisters/
but it does not involve strip piecing. It can also be paper-pieced.

http://www.blocklotto.com/2019/03/ap...-twin-sisters/
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 25,186
Bearisgray, here's how this method works. Each 4 squares will give you two
Twin Sister blocks but one will be the negative of the other.
http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/2...-blog-hop.html
Twin Sister blocks but one will be the negative of the other.
http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/2...-blog-hop.html
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