Drafting A Quilt Pattern and /or Quilt Block

It’s Monday and time to get out your pencil and 1/4″ graph paper. Please mark this post if you think you might want to refer to it in the future – I’m not going to work this hard on drafting again – ha!

1. A 1/4″ square represents 1″. After adding the 1/4″ seam allowance all the way around, your square would be cut 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″. The 1-1/2″ square would finish at 1″.

A four inch finished square would be drawn as 4 squares on the graph paper and would be cut as 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″.

2. An additional 7/8″ is added to any cut measurement if you want a triangle square. To end up with a 2″ triangle square, cut your square 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ and cut it once diagonally. When two of these triangles are sewn together, the finished size will be 2″ x 2″.

3. If you want a quarter triangle block, add 1-1/4″ to finished size. For a 3″ finished quarter triangle block, cut a square 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ and cut it twice diagonally. The straight grain of the square will be on the outside edge of the triangle to avoid stretching.

When sewing these 4 quarter triangles together, the finished size will be 3″ x 3″.

NOTE – when I say Finished Size I mean the size after being sewn into the quilt – not with the raw edges measured.

These are your basic measurements. Now let’s tackle Connie’s table quilt in the next post – in case this one disappears!

16 thoughts on “Drafting A Quilt Pattern and /or Quilt Block

  1. Sharon Ernst

    That was so kind of you to post all of that! I’m sure many people will refer back to it often.
    For me . . .can’t wait for Connie’s quilt!! You ladies are amazing!!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Becky – this from a student who flunked algebra and refused to take geometry because I just knew I’d never use it!!! Hahaha”

      1. Julianna

        You ARe my “quilting sister”, Mary – I too flunked algebra and declined geometry, and have regretted that since my first quilting stitch! These measurements would make so much more sense w/ a little geometry background. Thank you so much for making sense of it.

  2. Launa

    Have the fabrics selected for Connie’s quilt. Thanks for refreshing me with graph paper.
    Another snowy morning here in north Idaho. It has been warmer for this time of year n some winter activities have been cancelled..ice sculpture show for one. Just staying warm inside. Thanks Mary.

  3. Jan

    Thanks for taking the time to show us some fundamental drafting. I am putting it in my “tips and tricks” notebook. A handy reference tool.

  4. Diane M

    Thank you for the good notes. I feel the same way as you do about math. Too bad we weren’t in the same class- we could have helped each other! It’s snowing again in Wisconsin. I think we are to have snow most days this week. Good news-my husband is getting out of hospital rehab tomorrow. He’ll continue rehab at a center near us. Hope you are having a good day.

    1. Julianna

      Diane, So glad to hear your hubby is coming home! God bless you both, have been there and I know the stress. I will say a prayer.

  5. Sharon B.

    Thank you! I appreciate you investing your time in presenting this to make it easier for us! Already copied this into my quilty notebook!

  6. kam

    Mary,
    I can not get the recipe for the almond bars. I don’t know why. my computer will not go there. Can you send it to me? if you say it is great, i trust you. Thanks. kam

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