A Guide To Quilting Math

Math problems in quilting organize themselves quite well into four categories: measurement, yardage, geometry, and proportion. Each of these categories has its own unique sets of problems and tools for solving them. For most of us, tool #1 is a calculator. Luckily, we have them on our phones.

Measurement questions ask about how to fit the quilt into a space - the space on the wall, the table needing a runner, or the size of the bed. A measuring tape will answer the wall space issue. A standard chart addresses bed size and a quarter inch foot addresses seam allowance. They also ask about seam allowances. We just need to remember that no two devices measure the same, so always make a quilt on the same sewing machine. A quarter-inch foot is a measuring device and a real blessing.

Yardage asks about the amount of fabric needed for a back, binding, borders, sashing, and corner blocks. Measurements and simple addition can solve some of these, but folks have created apps for your phones and tablets that will do these automagically. You can also find many charts and worksheets online that you can easily print out.

Geometry is obvious in the planning of blocks which use squares, rectangles, diamonds, circles, and triangles - so many triangles. Geometry has formulas for determining area and that can help us visualize the dimensions of these shapes.

Proportion is probably one of the toughest problems in quilting. We need algebra to enlarge or shrink the size of a quilt. The wheel shown here does the calculations for you to enlarge or shrink a dimension. I use it a lot for applique and for collage quilting.

Many quilters write online about the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci sequence. These are mathematical expressions that help with decisions about the size of borders that will enhance the appearance of a quilt. You do not need to be advanced in algebra to read about them online.

How can a quilt shop help with math? Even if they don't sell a lot of books or charts on quilting math, they can display a few near the cutting table. This is the place where most people need help. Having a proportion wheel displayed nearby is also helpful. The quilt shop can offer worksheets near the cutting table that demonstrate the information needed to make the desired calculations.

A quilt shop might also have a tablet near the cutting table that is loaded with appropriate apps that help with quilting math. The quilt shop can provide a great service by showing the customer how to use these apps to address their needs. Yes, you may have to keep the tablet under the cutting table for security reasons or chain it to the table.

A quilt shop can also offer a monthly math class free to their customers. The class can make customers more relaxed about their math problems and more willing to try to use one of the tools as a solution. Customers who become more comfortable in doing their own math are more likely to purchase enough fabric to complete the project and less likely to return to the shop to request more of a fabric that might be sold out.

As customers become more confident with math, they may also require less customer service time at the cutting table. Because the cutting table often has the longest line, this benefits the shop and the customers. A happy customer buys more fabric!