Cozy Stitchery

Quilt Pattern Planning & Graph Grid

Draw the whole quilt to scale before cutting a single strip

Maker
Quilt
Scale: one square equals
Finished size

A quilt drawn to scale shows problems that a cut list hides: a border that swamps the blocks, a block that does not divide evenly into the bed width, a directional print running the wrong way. Choose a scale so the whole quilt fits the grid, then sketch the layout, shade values and count the pieces from the drawing.

Layout decisions

DecisionOptionsYour choice
SettingStraight set, on point, medallion, rows, sampler, whole cloth
BlockName or sketch number
Finished block size
SashingNone, plain, with cornerstones
BordersNone, one, multiple, pieced
Directional printsWhich way up, and does it matter on the bed
Quilting planEdge to edge, custom, hand, walking foot lines

Choosing the scale

Squares across equals finished width divided by inches per square. Pick the smallest whole number of inches per square that fits the 24 by 24 grid below.

StepExample: 80 x 94 in throwYour quilt
Finished width and length80 x 94 in
Inches per square tried4 in
Squares across (80 / 4)20
Squares down (94 / 4)23.5
Fits a 24 x 24 grid?Yes
A 12 in block at this scale3 x 3 squares
A 2 in sashing stripHalf a square

Graph grid

One square equals the scale written at the top. Outline the quilt edge first, then blocks, sashing and borders. Shade lights, mediums and darks in pencil.

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Piece count from the drawing

UnitFinished sizeCount from drawingFabricCut sizeCarry to sheet 5

Designing on paper, screen or wall

A felt design wall shows the layout at full size. A digital fabric cutter turns the finished plan into accurately cut pieces.

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