borntoquilt

I am making a "medallion" center on the back of a quilt (the backing) out of leftover fabric squares from the front of a quilt. The medallion is 44 inches square but I want to put it on "point" to match the front of the quilt. How do I figure out what size square to make for the 4 corner triangles I need to make it square? (so that I can add borders in the normal way-it's gonna be a KING size- HOLY COW ! WHAT WAS I THINKING?? lol ! ) Hope this makes sense! Thanks in advance! Happy Quilting everybody!

irishrose

Is this it? This is the chart I used, but from a different site.
http://quiltbug.com/Articles/on-point.htm

Using their formula: 44 /1.414=31.11+.875=31.99 or 32 inches.

MTS

A 44 inch center on point still has 44 inch side.

So you treat that 44" side as if it were the diagonal of a square or HST block.

These are not exact numbers but within an inch or two.

44" divided by 1.414 = 32"

It would take an approx 32" square to have a diagonal of 44".

To make a big square in a square - but at this size, I'd have the center float - I'd start with two 36" plus (at least) squares.

Cut them in half once on the diagonal.

Attach to two opposite sides of the medallion.
Do not stretch, and remember that they are oversized and will overhang the edges.
Let them.
Pin at the midpoints and gently along the edges.
Sew them on.
Trim the overhang.

Now attach the triangles to the other two sides.

The medallion should be floating within the square made of the triangles.
If you need to, because you cut them oversized, you can square it up.

Keep in mind, you could have always started with bigger squares, which would give you more of a float, and more leeway to square up.

Attach the outer borders as desired.

Keep in mind that this new center will be approx 65" square. Approx.
So you'll still have room to add another 15"plus border all around to get to your desired king size.

My advice - don't try to match the back borders to the front borders (if that was a plan).
It will only lead to heartbreak. :mrgreen:

I would use a huge wide border as the final one on the back.
If you try to match it to something on the front, and the quilting is off, it will look....not great.

Here's a back I did - and I just let it land where ever it was going to.
I think we were off about 2" on side from center - but I think I measured wrong on the back so mea culpa.
But I wasn't trying to match the front of the quilt.

Glassquilt

If you have a parquet or tile floor (or know somebody who does), put the medallion down on point and measure the corners. Add a few inches on the better safe than sorry principal.

ManiacQuilter2

Boy, I forgot the High school Math !! I haven't done it since I got one of those large setting triangles that makes the math go away.

Here is what Fons & Porter have in their original Quilter's Complete Guide

Finished Block Size x 1.41 - Finished Diagonial
Finished Diagonial + 1.25 - size of square

Jan in VA

Measure the 'medallion' block along one straight side.
Add 2-3" to this measurement.
The resulting measurement is the size of the sqaure you will use to make the corner triangles. You will need TWO squares cut this size. ** Note below for cutting an extra large square.**
Cut the squares ONCE across the diagonal, you will have 4 triangles.
The long side of the triangles will be on the bias, but will be stabilized by the medallion block sides. The short sides of the triangles will be on the straight grain and will be the outside edges of your setting triangles.
After sewing triangles to the block, trim the extra fabric allowiing a little bit of float at the points of your medallion.
The graphic below shows you a way to cut squares that are larger than your largest square up ruler. Using yardage of fabric, fold in a corner far enough to duplicate the size of the square you need. Trim along the straight edges of the fold and open for your square. Make 2.

Jan in VA

MTS

The medallion side measurement should equal the diagonal of the needed square size, not the square size. ;-)

If you cut a 44" square, the diagonal would be around 62", which would be WAY oversized for this medallion.

Unless that was a look one wanted.


Great diagram for cutting XL squares!! :thumbup:

borntoquilt

Thanks everybody for making this understandable for my math challenged brain. I am constantly amazed @ the knowledge on this board and the willingness to SHARE. Hope this thread helped others as well. Off to cut up my fabric..... Thanks again!!!