Drafting for the Creative Quilter

20 DRAFTINGFORTHECREATIVEQUILTER

Yardstick compass on ruler for drawing large circles

3. Push the pivot point of the compass through the
   paper and into the mat. (This will be the center of the
   circle.) Expand the compass until the pencil and pivot
   point are 3 ̋ apart on the graph paper. If you are using
   plain paper, use a ruler as a guide when expanding the
   compass.


4. Holding the top of the compass perpendicular to the
   paper, draw one half of the circle.


5. Leaving the pivot point in place, return the pencil to
   the beginning point and draw the remaining half. The
   line of any circle should be exactly continuous.

Stop Pivot pointCenter PencilBegiBeginn

Draw half the circle (shown in blue), then draw the other half

(shown in red).

Drunkard’s Path Block

This simple block is created by drawing an arc, rather

than a complete circle, giving you a chance to practice

using the compass. This block is commonly divided

into the proportion, or ratio, of 1/3 square to 2/3 arc. But

you can choose any proportion you like.

Drunkard’s Path block

TO DRAFT A 6 ̋ (FINISHED) BLOCK:

1. Draw a 6 ̋ square on graph paper.


2. To determine where to draw the arc, which is 2/3 of
   the square, divide 6 ̋ by 3, which equals 2 ̋ (1/3), then
   double it to equal 4 ̋ (2/3).


3. Make a mark 4 ̋ from one corner on 2 sides of the
   square. Place the pivot point of the compass at the same
   corner. Expand the pencil point to exactly reach the
   4 ̋ mark. Leaving the pivot point in place, draw the arc
   from one 4 ̋ mark to the other.

4 ̋

6 ̋

Pencil

at 4 ̋

Pivot point

Draw a square; then draw the arc.