Novice Quilter Needs Help In Calculating # of yards needed for project
12-18-2011, 01:01 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 13
Novice Quilter Needs Help In Calculating # of yards needed for project
Hi! I recently retired and am ready to tackle a job I have longed to do: I want to learn about quilting. After much research, I decided to begin with raggedy quilting and have begun to accumulate tools and fabrics. My problem is that I have no idea how to calculate how many yards of fabric I will need. I am hoping to make 3 queen sized quilts for my 3 grandchildren who are graduating this spring! Does anyone know of a site that could be used to help with my calculations?
12-18-2011, 02:12 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nebraska..The Good Life
Posts: 2,102
Welcome to the Quilting Board from the State of Nebraska!
Here is a blog link that gives an instructional tutorial and charts to tell you how much fabric you need and how many squares from each fabric that you will need to cut (depending on the square size you choose). It should simplify the process for you, and it's much more organized than what I could tell you. Good luck with your project!
http://jubileehomespun.com/info/Quilt_Instructions.htm
Here is a blog link that gives an instructional tutorial and charts to tell you how much fabric you need and how many squares from each fabric that you will need to cut (depending on the square size you choose). It should simplify the process for you, and it's much more organized than what I could tell you. Good luck with your project!
http://jubileehomespun.com/info/Quilt_Instructions.htm
12-18-2011, 02:13 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,453
I've only made a crib size rag quilt. I would suggest you google rag quilt pattern. There are plenty of free patterns on the web. If you have any more questions after reading some of those feel free to ask it. There are no stupid questions here.
12-18-2011, 08:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lived in San Diego now retired in Eagar, AZ.
Posts: 887
take a tip from me... there will be many, many squares in a queen size, so don't start with 6" squares or you'll be working on these 3 quilts for years... these quilts are less demanding in terms of matching corners and making points, etc., but they are extremely work intensive...the fringe cutting alone will take you days... so use big squares, i wouldn't do a queen size with anything less than 12" squares...and 16" is not out of the question... remember, the bigger it is, the larger square it can take and still look proportional. they are also very expensive if you do them in the traditional way...
I teach a 'simplified rag quilt' in which we cut 2 layers of flannel and one thin layer of batting that is smaller all the way round...
1. So... 12 square = cut 14" sq. (1" on each side for fringe) flannel, 2 pcs
2. Cut batting, 1 layer, at 11.5".
3. Also cut 4 strips of flannel 2.5" x 12" ... these do not have to match each other or the 14" squares...the more contrast, the better to make the fringe show up. It is best to cut these to length because flannel stretches so easily. It's faster to cut the strips and iron in half all at once, but then cut to length, you will be happier in the long run. Each 40" strip will give you three 12s, but mix up the colors before you sew them on... when pinning, you will have lots of short little pcs from the leftovers...don't waste them, you're gonna cut them for fringe later anyway... just lay 2 or 3 pcs in a side, now and then, to use up your scraps, trimming the last one so it looks just like the other 12" pcs. Fold each strip in half and pin or iron to hold their shape.
4. Fold each 14" sq corner to corner, twice and press...this gives you a center to match all layers with and a stitching guide for later. You will have a big X in the middle and you can fold twice and press all at once.
5. Now layer one 14" sq., face. down, put the 11.5" batting in the center.
6. Put each folded strip down, with the raw edges all facing outside, all round all four sides, beginning and ending 1" from the ends. This is because the corners meet 3 other squares and do not need any more layers. The folded sides face the batting and almost touch..line up raw edges.
7. Place the second 14" sq., face up, on top of the sandwich.
8. You will pin the ends of each corner, thru all layers, one pin in the center will hold the batting temporarily. You can pin more if you like, but I prefer to stitch with most of the side unpinned so i can line up raw edges as I sew.
9. Sew at 1" all down the side, which will catch a 1/4" thru the fold in the strip and both outside layers. As you sew around, begin 1" from the edge, go to 1" before the other end, needle down and pivot...on the last corner, overlap and back stitch to set stitches. Pivot to sew the first leg of the X....pivot at the end and sew down the same seam to get to the opposite end so you can do the last leg of the X. The fold marks make this really easy.
**You really only need to press half the Xs, but i usually want to switch a square or more so I mark them all....but if you are sure of your top and bottom combos...you can just press half the squares to get your marks...
**After making all your sandwiches, you can sew blocks in lines, then sew each line in pairs and then each pair till you are finished. I prefer sewing squares 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6...now flip over and sew 2 to 3 on the OTHER side, then 4 to 5 on this side also. This makes your quilt reversible and you don't have to be obsessive about it, just move the seams back and forth every now and then... this is easier and still gives you a reversible quilt.
When fringing, you will be cutting thru all 4 layers (2 from the sandwich and 2 from the strip.... it will be lighter, cheaper (some are done with 4 layers of flannel, some are done with 5... can you imagine the difference in the price and the weight?
I teach a 'simplified rag quilt' in which we cut 2 layers of flannel and one thin layer of batting that is smaller all the way round...
1. So... 12 square = cut 14" sq. (1" on each side for fringe) flannel, 2 pcs
2. Cut batting, 1 layer, at 11.5".
3. Also cut 4 strips of flannel 2.5" x 12" ... these do not have to match each other or the 14" squares...the more contrast, the better to make the fringe show up. It is best to cut these to length because flannel stretches so easily. It's faster to cut the strips and iron in half all at once, but then cut to length, you will be happier in the long run. Each 40" strip will give you three 12s, but mix up the colors before you sew them on... when pinning, you will have lots of short little pcs from the leftovers...don't waste them, you're gonna cut them for fringe later anyway... just lay 2 or 3 pcs in a side, now and then, to use up your scraps, trimming the last one so it looks just like the other 12" pcs. Fold each strip in half and pin or iron to hold their shape.
4. Fold each 14" sq corner to corner, twice and press...this gives you a center to match all layers with and a stitching guide for later. You will have a big X in the middle and you can fold twice and press all at once.
5. Now layer one 14" sq., face. down, put the 11.5" batting in the center.
6. Put each folded strip down, with the raw edges all facing outside, all round all four sides, beginning and ending 1" from the ends. This is because the corners meet 3 other squares and do not need any more layers. The folded sides face the batting and almost touch..line up raw edges.
7. Place the second 14" sq., face up, on top of the sandwich.
8. You will pin the ends of each corner, thru all layers, one pin in the center will hold the batting temporarily. You can pin more if you like, but I prefer to stitch with most of the side unpinned so i can line up raw edges as I sew.
9. Sew at 1" all down the side, which will catch a 1/4" thru the fold in the strip and both outside layers. As you sew around, begin 1" from the edge, go to 1" before the other end, needle down and pivot...on the last corner, overlap and back stitch to set stitches. Pivot to sew the first leg of the X....pivot at the end and sew down the same seam to get to the opposite end so you can do the last leg of the X. The fold marks make this really easy.
**You really only need to press half the Xs, but i usually want to switch a square or more so I mark them all....but if you are sure of your top and bottom combos...you can just press half the squares to get your marks...
**After making all your sandwiches, you can sew blocks in lines, then sew each line in pairs and then each pair till you are finished. I prefer sewing squares 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6...now flip over and sew 2 to 3 on the OTHER side, then 4 to 5 on this side also. This makes your quilt reversible and you don't have to be obsessive about it, just move the seams back and forth every now and then... this is easier and still gives you a reversible quilt.
When fringing, you will be cutting thru all 4 layers (2 from the sandwich and 2 from the strip.... it will be lighter, cheaper (some are done with 4 layers of flannel, some are done with 5... can you imagine the difference in the price and the weight?
12-25-2011, 10:37 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wilmington, Oh
Posts: 509
first...welcome to the board, there are many here who can help in immeasurable ways.
second, do yourself a favor, and dont rag 3 queen size quilts right out of the start gate, UNLESS,
you can get someone to die-cut them raggy for you! i have done a couple raggys, love em.
but, the hours one has to spend clipping, makes you wonder if it was worth it in the first place.
just a suggestion, i would make them all different, rag 1, then youll see how much work goes into it.
good luck
katz
second, do yourself a favor, and dont rag 3 queen size quilts right out of the start gate, UNLESS,
you can get someone to die-cut them raggy for you! i have done a couple raggys, love em.
but, the hours one has to spend clipping, makes you wonder if it was worth it in the first place.
just a suggestion, i would make them all different, rag 1, then youll see how much work goes into it.
good luck
katz
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