Quilt in a Day Forums

Hi! So grateful to have found this forum. I'm making my first quilt - baby sized. I'm ready to go and get my "real" fabric and I cannot figure out what I need

I've found tons of patterns online but nothing simple enough or quite what I want. I think it'll be 42"x54" - someone said to do 42" so the backing was all one piece. And I want my squares at least 6x6.

But then how many squares? Or rather how many yards of the rest? And how much do I need for binding? Oh brother, please help

Amanda, I will see if some of the other girls will check this out and help with the math and yardage for you.

Mary/Rosebud

42 inches wide, with a 6 inch block, makes for 7 blocks across.

54 is 9 blocks down for a total of 63 blocks total.

That is just a basic estimate. You can add sashing between each of the blocks, how wide is your choice. You need to add the sashing size to your 6 inch block to determine the final width of the row. That will change how many blocks you will need.

Another simple way is to make a pieced block and then alternate it with a solid 6 inch square, for each row.

Now for the math - 3/8 yard strip will yield 14 - 6 1/2 inch squares of fabric. The 6 1/2 is the cutting size to finish at 6 inches. You need to carefully sliver trim the fabric to square up the edge to get the two strips needed to cut the 14 squares.

I make my quilts for babies, 42 x 54 or so - depending on my block size.

Binding, cut on the bias takes about a half yard or so. Less if it is on the straight of grain.

Best advice - make your main block so you can square it up to the correct size. This will make your quilt go together smoothly and give you great results.

Now you are totally confused, come back with more questions, many here can help you with tbem.

Jana