| |
You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Arts and Crafts > Quilting > Rag quilts
Expert: Audrey Zohner
Date: 9/30/2008
Subject: Rag quilts
Question
I would like to make a rag quilt for my queen size bed. I would like to have the finished blocks be 6 inches. I usually use 1 inch seem allowance. What would be an approximate amount of fabric that I would need?
What about king size?
Answer
Since you know your block size, you need to add in your seam allowances.
For example: In order to end up with a 6" block, you need to add two inches to each side (inch seam). So if I am going to use 1" seams, I need to cut out 8" blocks to start.
This is the hard part. Figuring how much fabric you need. Now this depends on how many colors, how wide the fabric is, etc. Simply put, divide the width of your fabric by the block size with seam allowances included. Round this number down. This gives you the number of whole blocks you can get from the width of your fabric. Then divide the total number of blocks that you need by the number of blocks you can get from the width of your fabric. Round this number up and multiply it by your block size with seam allowances included.
For example: I will need 218-6" squares for a 45"x60" quilt. 108 for the front and 108 for the backing. If I am using a 45" wide fabric, then I can get 7.5 squares. However, I can only get 7 whole squares. 218/7=31.11111 or 32. 32x6"=192" or 5.333 yards.
Remember, if you want to use batting, then you will need to cut it at least an inch smaller than your starting block size. If you use flannel, then don't worry about cutting it smaller. Flannel rags where batting doesn't, so you can leave it in the seams.
For example: Batting squares need to be 4.5"-5" when using a starting block size of 6". Flannel batting would be cut in 6" squares.
Hope this helps!
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
