Part Five : Designing a Quilt

How about a simple project to get you started? The first quilt I ever did was just made up of squares. It's simple, but it always looks good. First, work out what size you want it, then think about splitting those measurements into blocks. A block is just a unit of squares. You divide your quilt into 3x3 blocks (a nine block) You then make up each series of squares into your blocks, then you sow all the blocks together. It's just easier and more accurate than creating long strips and doing it row by row. Blocks come in all different units, but nine is very common. Blocks are often talked about in terms of finished size. This is not the size you cut them as you add on seam allowance which is always 1/4 inch.

For example, I decide to make a cot quilt that's 26" x 38" because I can easily split this up into a grid of 8 x 12 squares or 4 x 6 squares. Here are some simple ideas.





Quilt A
96 x 3" squares. 3 1/2" inc seam allowance.

Quilt B
12 x 6" squares. 6 1/2" inc seam allowance.
108 x 2" squares. 2 1/2" inc seam allowance.

Quilt C
12 x 6" squares. 6 1/2" inc seam allowance.
48 x 3" squares. 3 1/2" inc seam allowance.

Quilt D
12 x 6" squares. 6 1/2" inc seam allowance.
36 x 2x6 strips. 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" inc seam allowance.

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