How can you know how much fabric you need

[searchfamilies]

I have a question how can you work out the amount of fabric you need for a quilt
I have the Log Cabin tool so can do different size blocks & was wondering if i was to do say a 8 or 12 inch block
How do i know if i would have enough fabric before starting it

That been a problem for me i have fabric that i like but it may only be a yard or so & if i want to do it in to blocks how do i know if i will have enough for whatever size i decide to do

I would hate to start a project but find out that i don't have enough fabric to do the size i want

Hugs Janice

[buckeyequilter]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

I usually search the internet for a similar pattern and see what the fabric requirements are.

I also have a lot of 1/2 yard and 1 yard cuts.....that is why I love scrappy quilts

[Sylvia H]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

I had to do this recently, as I changed the color combination and the size of a quilt, but I knew the size of the block and how much material was needed for each of the three types of blocks. If you are doing the log cabin block for the whole quilt, first figure out how many blocks you need, and then multiply the yardage amount of one block by the number of blocks you need to make. HTH

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Here's how I would estimate fabric need. Think about square inches needed to make the top the size you want to make. If you laid the pieces of uncut fabric out, would it be big enough to cover the area that your top would be? Then you need about 25% more to allow for seams and waste. This is a very inexact way of estimating, but would make you realize that 3 yards of fabric won't make a king size quilt. I also think about backing, how many yards will it take to back the quilt? The amount for the top must at least exceed that. Then estimate if you have one color that dominates, you will need more of that fabric. It's inexact for sure, just use this when shopping your stash.

If you know your pattern, you can estimate how many pieces you need, then see how many pieces you can get from 1 WOF, estimate how many WOF you will need to cut, then buy yardage for that.

[songbird857]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

I came across this a while ago - I printed it and have it on my wall for reference Hope it helps you...

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cf/ee/02/cfee02b9a853aaaf70263d6b4e0af82c.jpg

[buckeyequilter]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

I came across this a while ago - I printed it and have it on my wall for reference Hope it helps you...
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73...6b4e0af82c.jpg

Nice!!! I'm going to print that and hang it on my board because I was just looking at log cabin quilts and the different lay outs and I think I'm going to make another one.

[Quiltfreestyle]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Robert Kaufman has an app that does all the math for you when you need to figure out borders, backing etc.
I use it to figure out how much yardage I need for various parts of blocks. Works great & it's on my phone so I always have it with me at the store.
Just search the App Store for quilting apps & you should find it. It's free too

[ravelim]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Fabric Calculator
Hope this link works. Anyway, I just ran across this. Maybe it will help?

[Claire OneStitchAtATime]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

I have that RK app too. Great if you have a smartphone.

[searchfamilies]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Thank you i will give it a try when i next do one that i don't have the yardage for
Hugs Janice

I usually search the internet for a similar pattern and see what the fabric requirements are.

I also have a lot of 1/2 yard and 1 yard cuts.....that is why I love scrappy quilts

[searchfamilies]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Thanks i don't have a phone but may be it can go on my tablet which if i was going away i take with me instead of a laptop
Hugs Janice

Robert Kaufman has an app that does all the math for you when you need to figure out borders, backing etc.
I use it to figure out how much yardage I need for various parts of blocks. Works great & it's on my phone so I always have it with me at the store.
Just search the App Store for quilting apps & you should find it. It's free too

[searchfamilies]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Thanks for your reply
Hugs Janice

I had to do this recently, as I changed the color combination and the size of a quilt, but I knew the size of the block and how much material was needed for each of the three types of blocks. If you are doing the log cabin block for the whole quilt, first figure out how many blocks you need, and then multiply the yardage amount of one block by the number of blocks you need to make. HTH

[searchfamilies]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Thanks I have a lot of FQs also so wanted to know if i was using them
Hugs Janice

Here's how I would estimate fabric need. Think about square inches needed to make the top the size you want to make. If you laid the pieces of uncut fabric out, would it be big enough to cover the area that your top would be? Then you need about 25% more to allow for seams and waste. This is a very inexact way of estimating, but would make you realize that 3 yards of fabric won't make a king size quilt. I also think about backing, how many yards will it take to back the quilt? The amount for the top must at least exceed that. Then estimate if you have one color that dominates, you will need more of that fabric. It's inexact for sure, just use this when shopping your stash.

If you know your pattern, you can estimate how many pieces you need, then see how many pieces you can get from 1 WOF, estimate how many WOF you will need to cut, then buy yardage for that.

[searchfamilies]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Thank you so much for this
Hugs Janice

I came across this a while ago - I printed it and have it on my wall for reference Hope it helps you...
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73...6b4e0af82c.jpg

[searchfamilies]

Re: How can you know how much fabric you need

Thank you have saved it
Hugs Janice

Fabric Calculator
Hope this link works. Anyway, I just ran across this. Maybe it will help?