Calico Cat asked why 10½ blocks made the quilt more fat quarter friendly... I tried to answer just her, but it was a no-reply addy, then I thought maybe others would be interested in my math. So here goes!
Most fat quarters are 22x18 ish...right?
Sometimes you lose a bit if you prewash them like I do. I fold the FQ in half (making it doubled 11x18, following my math?)and by the time I trim the frayed edges off it's a doubled 10½x18.
I could only get ONE 12 inch square from a FQ, but can get two 10½ inch squares. That leaves me with a nice size hunk (18 take away 10½, and take away the other frayed edge = 7) so my hunk leftover is about 21x7.
21x7 is a good size for a leftover bit... cut that in half longways and you have 21x3½ strips which are a great size for scrappy borders or bricks.
OR Cut it in thirds and you have three 7 inch squares... Throw those together with some background fabric and make half square or quarter square triangle bits...OR cut those 7 inch squares in quarters and you have twelve 3½ squares. If you have several coordinating FQ's you'll have lots of matching squares or strips to use in your border.
See how that can make a fat quarter friendly and fun to play with and easy to use almost all of it?
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14 comments:
Aren't you clever? I never would have thought about it that way. Thanks!
Makes sense to me!
When you put it that way, I see! (Sorry about the e-mail thingy - it is a miscommunication between blogger and beta blogger...)
I never would have though of it that way... It is just like Bonnie's rationale fo the 10.5 inch squares on her backs... You can get 4 out of a width of fabric.
I love your FQ logic! It makes efficient use of the FQs we all have.
I'm with Norma, I love your FQ logic!!! :D Thanks so much for sharing that with all of us! :)
Thank you! Now I see the logic of 10.5" squares. /paula the_quilter at yahoo dot com
Clever, clever. Thanks for the info.
And besides, I like 10.5 inch blocks. =) There are some great patterns that make them.
You make it sound so easy! Thank you so much for sharing.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
I just love it when I pick up nice tips like this from bloggers! Thanks!
What an interesting post. I'll definetly have to copy down what you wrote. You certainly don't waste any fabric that way.
I just love the fabrics you have chosen for the Red Onion class. I would like to make a quilt using pinks and browns some time.
It can be helpful to think through the fabric you're using and plan sizes to maximize its use... :-) Good explaination.
Yup - I totally agree!
Hey Jane, that is absolutely BRILLANT!! I'm going to have to write that down.
I actually keep a seperate stack of FQs because they just don't fold and stack right with real quarters or halves.
I have many that I'd like to see get used. Mostly gifts from friends, prizes and what my DD thinks I'll like(not).
What a bright girl you are!! Thanks! Hugs, Finn
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