Drafting for the Creative Quilter

CIRCULARCIRCULARDESIGNSDESIGNS 2525

Faceted-Style Fan Block

„ Use the compass as described on

page 23.

„ Draw an X within each segment

between the segment and refer-

ence arcs. To mark the center

point on the segment arc, align

the ruler with the handle corner

and the intersection; then make a

mark on the segment arc. Repeat

for each segment.

75°

60°

45°

30°

15°

Midpoint on
segment arc

Determine and mark the midpoint of

each segment.

5. To create the points within each
   segment, draw 2 lines from the ref-
   erence arc to the midpoint on the
   segment arc.

75°

60

°

45 °

30 °

15°

1⁄ ̋ Handle arc

5½ ̋ Segment arc

5 ̋ Reference arc

Create the points.

FACETED-STYLE FAN BLOCK

This style, which usually has sharper, longer points

than previous fan designs, is based on the Mariner’s

Compass and Sunburst blocks, which we usually

see as full-circle designs (i.e., four quarters). For an

example, see Marg Gair’s beautiful quilt below. The

degree of complexity in this design is relative to the

number of segments and the placement of the refer-

ence arc. In my sampler quilt (page 99), I used two quarters to create a

half circle. The variations of fan designs are endless—explore, experiment,

and enjoy.

Lady Liberty, 59 ̋ × 59 ̋, designed and machine quilted by Marg Gair, San Ramon, CA.

Quilt inspired by a Karen Stone pattern.

TO DRAFT A 41/2 ̋ (FINISHED) BLOCK:

1. Draw a 41/2 ̋ square.


2. Using the compass, draw the handle arc (11/4 ̋) and segment arc (41/4 ̋),
   which, in this case, indicates the outer perimeter of the points. (See Step 2
   on page 21 for more details.) Draw a reference arc (2 ̋) between the 2 arcs.

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The greater the distance between

the reference and segment arcs,

the higher and sharper the point.

75°

60°

45°

30°

15°

4¾ ̋

4¾

̋

5 ̋

4½ ̋

Three different reference arc place-

ments: 41/2 ̋, 43/4 ̋, and 5 ̋