– Squares are readily available in a 5in (12.7cm) size, often called charm squares, and in a larger 10in (25.4cm) size (called Layer Cakes™ by Moda). These squares are usually a selection of twenty or forty different fabrics from one collection. They can be used as squares or to create other units, such as half-square and quarter-square triangles.
Strips – Pre-cut strips are popular and are commonly available 21⁄2in (6.3cm) wide x 44in (112cm) long. Strips this size may be called ‘roll-ups’. Moda call these strips Jelly Rolls™. Narrower strips 11⁄2in (3.8cm) wide x 44in (112cm) long are also available (Moda call theirs Honey Buns™). Pre-cut strips are usually twenty to forty-two fabrics from a single collection. They can be used to piece many units and blocks and one roll of forty-two 21⁄2in (6.3cm) wide strips is usually sufficient for a single bed-sized quilt, depending on how the strips are pieced.
Triangles – Pre-cut triangles may be offered by some fabric manufacturers, usually eighty 6in (15.2cm) half-square triangles, with two triangles each of forty different fabrics from the same collection. Moda call their pre-cut triangles Turnovers™.
Panels – Panels, sometimes called cheater cloths, are available in various sizes printed with a scene or other pictorial element. They can be a quick way to create a quilt or wall hanging such as the one that illustrates the Foreword.
Kits – There are many quilt patterns available as kits complete with instructions, patterns and fabrics.
Storing Fabrics
Those of us addicted to fabric often find it hard to organize our stash, especially after a marathon auditioning session where failed candidates are strewn all over the bed or sofa. Storage really depends on the size of your stash and space available. Fabrics need to be stored out of direct sunlight and kept safe from insects so plastic or canvas boxes with lids are a good idea, especially if they can be kept under a bed. Keeping fabric pieces folded neatly will take up the least space and allow you to quickly see the colour and pattern. Storage can be by colour, by fabric type or pattern (for example, batiks, florals, polka dots) or by tone.
Estimating Fabric Requirements
If you are creating designs of your own or making a sampler quilt from different blocks you will need to be able to estimate fabric amounts – there’s nothing worse than running out of a crucial fabric before a project is completed. If you are making a project from a book or magazine, the fabric requirements are usually provided, although some lists may be very general. Making a sketch of the overall quilt design and the block designs (see diagrams A and B) is a good starting point as you can then list the separate elements that will need fabric, including those needed for blocks, sashing, borders, backing and edging. Estimates need to be generous to allow for seams, fabric grain and mistakes.
Overall quilt size – The finished size of a quilt depends on the bed it needs to fit and whether you wish it to just drape over the top or reach the floor on all sides. There are tables of standard bed sizes (see Useful Information) and wadding (batting) is also sold in these standard sizes. For a customized fit, measure the bed the quilt is needed for.
Blocks – Make a sketch of the block you want to make, labelling each part that will use a different fabric (B). Make a list of the total number of pieces needed in each colour for the block and multiply this by the total number of those blocks in the quilt. Make another sketch to estimate how many pieces can be cut from a yard, half yard or fat quarter. Do this for each different block.
Sashing and borders – These are normally cut on the straight grain and are usually rectangles, so draw a sketch of the pieces needed in each colour (diagram C above). Decide what size each piece will be and sketch the pieces side by side to see how many will fit across the fabric. Remember the selvedge, subtracting about 2in (5cm) from the width.
Backing – Backing fabric normally needs to be about 6in (15.2cm) wider than the quilt top. Whether it is seamed or not depends on the overall size of your quilt and the width of backing you are using. Seams can be horizontal or vertical. Fabric is normally 42in (106.7cm) but extra wide backing fabric is available, which means fewer seams. See Choosing Backing Fabric for more on backing.
Binding – Fabric needed for binding depends on the width of the binding and whether it is to be single or double, cut on the straight grain or on the bias – see Binding as an Edging for more on binding. There are tables of binding fabric requirements and an example is given here. Double-fold binding cut on the straight grain 21⁄2in (6.3cm) wide sufficient for a double (full) bed = 270in (686cm) approximately and would require 1⁄2yd (0.5m) of fabric or 2⁄3yd (0.75m) if cut on the bias.
Appliqué motifs – The easiest way to calculate how much fabric you need for appliqué work is to draw the motif within an easy geometric shape, such as a square and then measure the geometric shape – see Calculating Fabric for Appliqué for more details.
Preparing Fabrics
It pays to take a little time preparing fabrics before use in order to reduce unpredictable results later on in the quilt-making process.
Washing Fabrics
Some people always wash their fabrics before use to check for shrinkage and colourfastness, but others do not, preferring to do this after a quilt is finished to achieve that attractive, slightly crinkled antique look. Some pre-cut fabrics, such as charm squares or triangles, should not be washed before use as being small they might distort.
• If you think a fabric may shrink or bleed colour then wash separately before use in warm water and a mild detergent. If no dye runs occur rinse the fabric in cold water, dry and then iron.
• If the dye does run, put the fabric in a bowl with one part white vinegar to three parts cold water and leave for an hour or so. If the fabric continues to bleed then either discard it or use it for a project that won’t require washing.
• Once washed, straighten fabric by hand whilst still damp to re-establish the fabric grain, pulling it gently into shape from opposite corners.
Pressing Fabrics
In patchwork pressing means pressing, not sweeping over the fabric as in ironing. It is a restrained action, moving the iron in a lifting and pressing motion so seams lie in the right direction.
• Iron fabrics at the appropriate temperature to remove creases before use, so measuring and cutting will be more accurate.
• Steam from the iron can be
