Who ever knew that math would be so important for quilters?
If you are planning a quilt, math skills – or at least a calculator with them – is vital. If you are relying on a calculator, entering the correct information is still very important for good results.
Here are a few measurements to keep in mind. Instead of committing them to memory, try writing them on an index card and posting them near your sewing machine or in your sewing box.
Depending on the size of your calculator, you might even be able to tape your measurement cheat sheet to the back of your calculator.
With apologies to our metric friends, the most frequently used measurements in quilting are 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. To enter those fractions into your calculator, you need to know the decimal equivalent. Here’s the chart. We've added a few extra, too:
| Fraction | Decimal |
| 1/8 | .125 |
| 1/4 | .25 |
| 3/8 | .375 |
| 1/2 | .5 |
| 5/8 | .625 |
| 3/4 | .75 |
| 7/8 | .875 |
If you have a block that does not have the seam allowance added, you can use your calculator and math skills to determine how much to add to the pattern pieces before cutting them out.
For instance, a quilt piece that is 3 inches square that needs a quarter (1/4) inch seam allowance, really needs to be cut at 3-1/2 inches square. The additional half inch all the way around accommodates for the 1/4 inch seam allowance all around the square.
Good measurements will also be needed in determining how much fabric you will need for sashing and borders and for calculating a total quilt size if you are planning a quilt project from scratch.
Proper measuring is also important when determining how many blocks and rows of blocks you will need for your quilting project. Getting this right the first time will save you time. You will make the correct number of blocks, without having to go back and cut more pieces to make more blocks later.
Plus, it will keep you from having leftover blocks. Having to stop to piece more blocks and having too many blocks left over are costly mistakes. Not having enough will cost you time. Having too many costs time and money…unless you use those extra blocks to create a wall hanging or other project.
If you sell your quilts, you know how important math skills are to your craft and your business. While you may only have $30 tied up in products used to make your quilt, you certainly will want to charge more than that. Math skills come in handy when assessing how much time and how many special materials were used to create a quilt.
Those are special considerations you will need to think about when determining a price for your finished quilt project. Don’t forget to charge a little more for custom designs because, in addition to your time and skills, custom designs require advanced talent.
If you have to ship your quilts to their recipients, math skills will also come in handy. Measuring for a correctly sized box can save you money. Measuring incorrectly can be costly. Ask your postal service provider about flat rate shipping. There might be a box big enough for your project.
Another idea is to buy the bags that you pack, then vacuum the air out of. Put your quilt in one of those bags. Use your vacuum hose to suck all the air out. That may just make your item much easier to fit into a box as well as protect it from leakage during shipping. If you have any questions, ask your postal rep for suggestions.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
