Quilt in a Day Forums

In the wonderful comfort quilt that I recieved for Terrie there is a large octagon shaped block with triangles that turn it into a square (you can tell I have not nearly learned the quilting language yet heheeh), I was wondering of anyone could help me out a bit with the piece sizes. I would truly love to help with comfort quilts and I know Lori could use some supplies. Also I am a bit confused on making a bigger nine patch. I want to come out with the 12 1/2 unfinished square that Lori needs. Do I start with 14" square and if I do when I get the two pieces sewn together, how wide do I cut the strips. Thanks

I don't know about the 9 patch, but the other sounds like a snowball block. Does it look like this one?
http://www.quilterscache.com/S/Snowball ... Block.html

If you are making just a plain nine patch, the squares unfinished size is 4 1/2".

Remember when calculating, you always work with the finished size, then add on the seam allowance.

12" finished nine patch. 3 squares across. 12 divided by 3 = 4
So that means that each square's finished size is 4 inches. Add seam allowance of 1/4 inch makes each square's unfinished size as 4 1/2".

another example: (9")
9" finished nine patch. 3 squares across. 9 divided by 3 = 3
So that means that each square's finished size is 3 inches. Add seam allowance of 1/4 inch makes each square's unfinished size as 3 1/2".

Someone asked me a while back why adding 1/4" makes it 1/2" larger.

Here's a good visual.
Take a sheet of paper and draw a 4 inch square. Now, using a ruler. Draw a line 1/4" around the block (outside the block). Now measure the block across from the lines you just drew. It will measure 4 1/2" across. The first square drawn represents the seam line. The second square (outer lines) represents the raw edges.

I hope this helps clear it up some

If you have a particular nine patch block in mind and need help figuring out how to resize it, just let us know. Someone will have the measurements.

If you are using the strip method to make a 12" finished nine patch,
each strip needs to be 4 1/2" wide.

Evie gave the best advice in calculating block sizes. Using a piece of graph paper with 1/4 inch grid - you can draft out any size block - I use colored pencils to color in the block pieces so I can see them better.

It won't be long until your are bi-lingual - that is fluent in quilt.

Jana

YEAH!!!!! Thank you all so much for the measurements and the advice. I think I am gonna be good to go. Thanks again