Moonlight Quilters
Tip of the Needle
Drafting 101
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WHY DRAFT UP YOUR BLOCKS?
- Construction help
- Resizing a block
- Color possibilities
- Design possibilities
TOOLS YOU NEED
- Ruler
- Pencil and eraser
- Colored pencils or crayons
- Graph paper – 4 sq per inch
- Compass for more complicated blocks
THE DRAFTING PROCESS
- Most blocks fit into a grid. There are four basic types of grids that blocks will fall into: 4 patch, 5 patch, 7 patch, and 9 patch. What determines the type of grid? The block can be evenly divided into exactly that number of total divisions or a multiple of that number.
- Look at your block and visualize it broken down into equal units or sections. The easiest way is to figure out how many divisions or sections there are will be along the top or a side. If you have 2 sections along the top and/or side, as with a Broken Dishes block, you have a 4 patch. If you have 3 sections, such as a shoo fly, you have a 9 patch block. If you have 4 divisions, it is a 4 patch. If you have 6 different divisions, you would have a 9 patch. 10 sections would be a 5 patch. 14 divisions is a 7 patch.
- Once your basic type of block is determined/what kind of grid you are working with, use your ruler to draw the outline of the design.
RESIZING A BLOCK FROM A DRAFTED PATTERN
Once you have your block drawn, you can make the actual block itself any size by simply dividing or multiplying the size of the units. See figures 1 and 2.
9-Patch
fig. 1
| As each section measures: |
| 2” = 6” block |
| 3” = 9” block |
| 4” = 12” block |
| 5” = 15 inch block |
| 6” = 18” block |
5-Patch
fig. 2
| As each section measures: |
|
2” = 10” block |
|
3” = 15” block |
| 4” = 20” block |
Simple equations for cutting Half Square Triangles (HST) & Quarter Square Triangles (QST)
Half Square Triangle: Finished size + 7/8”
Quarter Square Triangle: Finished size + 1 ¼”
It is helpful to label your drawings with the name of the block, and the resource it came from.
Enjoy!
Sharon D.
View Previous Tips:
- Applique
- Back of Quilt
- Binding-Machine Sewn
- Binding-Mitered Corners
- Bindings-Joining Ends
- Bindings-Scalloped
- Complimentary Colors
- Design Wall
- Drafting 101
- Ergonomic Quilting
- Flying Geese
- Free Motion Quilting
- Hanging Sleeves
- HST & QST Cutting tips
- HST- Sharon's method
- Labels for Quilts
- Marking Quilts
- Miniatures
- Nine Patch Blocks
- No Loose Ends
- On Point Setting-Corners
- Pins & Needles
- Quick Quilt Sizes
- Quilter's Knot
- Real Life Quilting
- Scraps
- Storing Your Quilts
- Thread