Drafting for the Creative Quilter

GRID-BASEDBLOCkS 15

7. Develop the block design by
   connecting and erasing lines to
   subdivide the grid into shapes such
   as rectangles, trapezoids, paral-
   lelograms, diamonds, and so forth.
   Refer to your photo or sketch for
   guidance until the design is com-
   plete. Begin with the largest shapes;
   the smaller ones will develop and
   become apparent. When you are
   finished drafting the block, erase all
   lines that are not seams (not all grid
   lines are seamlines). You should have
   only seamlines remaining.

Subdivide the grid into

the Sawtooth Star.

8. Identify the different shapes
   needed to sew the block and add
   their grainlines. Keep the straight
   of grain on the outside edges of the
   block. In the Sawtooth Star, there
   are 4 shapes: 2 right-angle triangles
   (1 large and 1 smaller) and 2 squares
   (1 large and 1 smaller). These are
   shapes A, B, C, and D. For stability,
   it’s important that the straight of
   grain be placed on the outside edge
   of blocks. However, I never sacrifice
   design for straight grain. If there is
   a particular area of a fabric I want
   to place within a shape and it results
   in bias at the edge of the block or
   shape, I just sew and press carefully.

B

D

A C

Identify the shapes and place grainlines.

9. Examine the design and deter-
   mine the logical sewing sequence to
   piece and press the block. One way to
   do this is to first find the longest lines
   that identify a row (usually, but not
   always, they will run from edge to
   edge horizontally, vertically, or diago-
   nally). Blocks are usually assembled
   by first joining pieces into units, then
   units into rows, then rows into the
   completed block.

Row 1

Row 2

Row 3

Sewing sequence

10. Isolate each individual shape,
    add a 1/4 ̋ seam allowance on all
    sides, and use your favorite cut-
    ting and sewing techniques for
    assembly. This step allows you to
    sew the design properly. When
    measuring a shape for cutting, if
    the dimensions are easily found on
    the ruler, then rotary cutting is the
    method preferred by most quilters.
    However, if the cutting dimensions
    are not easily found on the ruler, or
    if you want to custom cut a shape
    from a particular area of a fabric,
    make a template for that shape
    (page 90).

How to Determine Grid Dimension

Many square patchwork blocks are

developed on a grid of equal divi-

sions across and down a square.

Grid dimension, which refers to the

finished size of each individual grid

square, determines the size of the

block. Knowing the block’s grid

dimension will also allow you to

measure your patchwork as you sew.

To measure your work as you

sew, you must first know the grid

dimension. You can determine this

information in one of two ways.

„ Choose the block pattern you

want to sew (e.g., Sawtooth Star),

identify the underlying grid

formation (4 × 4), and choose a

block size (6 ̋). To determine the

grid dimension, simply divide the

size of the block by the number of

equal divisions across the block.

For example, 6 ̋ (block size) ÷ 4

(number of equal divisions across

the block) = 11/2 ̋ grid dimension.

1½ ̋1½ ̋ 1½ ̋1½ ̋

Row 1

Row 3

Row 2

6 ̋ Sawtooth Star block

„ Another way to determine the

grid dimension of a block is to

choose it. For example, let’s say

you want to make a Sawtooth

Star block (4 patch, 4 × 4 grid

formation), and you are comfort-

able sewing in a 1 ̋ finished grid.

The block size is determined

by multiplying the grid dimen-

sion (1 ̋) by the number of equal

divisions across the block (4), so

1 ̋ × 4 = 4 ̋ block size. I some-

times choose the grid dimension