Math for Quilters

Most patchwork quilters follow published patterns and directions for their patchwork quilting projects. Math for Quilters empowers you with the mathematics to design patchwork quilts or change the size or proportions of a published project or pattern.

Many patchwork quilters are defeated in their efforts to use math by these problems:
—Making measurement conversions
—Fitting square blocks into rectangular quilt plans
—Planning an on-point setting
—Maximizing fabric and knowing whether they have enough fabric for a particular task
—Figuring how much their work might be worth and what price to ask for it

In Math for Quilters, find the easiest ways to overcome these and other obstacles as we revisit the math presented in primary and secondary school in a simplified and quilt-specific form.

Learn to plan and design quilts, including how to:

—Size a quilt for bed or wall
—Draw quilt designs and patterns to scale
—Understand ratios, proportions, and scale
—Analyze any quilt block so you can replicate it to any size
—Replicate compound block design
—Use arcs and curves in quilt block patterns
—Understand the importance of scale in block patterns
—Work with two measuring systems
—Master log cabin blocks
—Plan all elements of a quilt, including blocks, borders, sashing, cornerstones, and binding
—Review plane geometry, the foundation of all patchwork quilting
—Create original quilt design patterns
—Design patchwork quilts from the inside out and from the outside in
—Revisit high school algebra
—Master on-point quilt block settings (easier than you think!)
—Apply principles of symmetry to quilt and quilt block designs
—Use "square in a square" mathematics
—Discover "sacred geometry" in quilt design: the Sacred Triangle, the Sacred Rectangle, the Golden Mean, symmetry, tessellation, Fibonacci series, and fractal geometry
—Annotate quilt patterns
—Maximize fabric use by developing pattern lay-outs
—Build and use rotary cutting tables
—Handle a variety of complex pattern cutting situations, including fussy cutting, on-point appliqué patterns, and irregular shapes
—Lay out and cut sashing, cornerstones, borders, batts, and backings for quilts, as well as discovering three layouts for bindings: lengthwise, crosswise, and bias (each has its use!)
—Plan and execute patchwork borders
—Develop a total plan for making any quilt you can design
—Calculate the actual costs of making a quilt
—Price your work based on costs plus profit
—Sell your quilts

Math for Quilters includes 14 useful tables and instructions for drawing quilt designs on a computer without specialized, expensive software.