Drafting for the Creative Quilter

8-POINTEDSTARBLOCkS 67

DRAFTING METHOD 2
This method uses a calculator and is based on choosing
the size of the block first.

1. To determine the size of the A square and B triangle,
   divide the size of the block (15 ̋) by the sum of the parts
   (3.414).

15 ̋ ÷ 3.414 = 4.3936 ̋ = 4.4 ̋ = 44/ 10 ̋

2. On 10-to-the-inch graph paper, draw a 44/ 10 ̋ A
   square and B triangle.

A

4⁄ ̋

B

4⁄ ̋

Draw A and B.

3. To determine the size of the C and D feathers, add
   the 1 values and 1.414 values that fit along the side of
   the A square and divide that into the actual size of the
   corner square (4.3936). There are 3 triangles with a 1
   value and 1 diamond with a 1.414 value, because the side
   of the E diamond is equal to the long side of the half-
   square triangle, which is always 1.414 times longer than
   its side.

E

D

C

C

A

1.414

1

1

1

4.3936 ̋ ÷ 4.414 = 0.9953 ̋ = 1 ̋ C and D feathers

C

1 ̋

D

1 ̋

4. To determine the size of the E diamond, multiply the
   size of the feather by 1.414.
   0.9953 ̋ × 1.414 = 1.4073 ̋ = 14/ 10 ̋ E diamond


5. On 10-to-the-inch graph paper, draw a 45° diamond,
   with all sides 14/ 10 ̋.

E

45° 1⁄ ̋

angle

45°

angle

Draw E.

6. To determine the size of the H octagon, you first
   need to determine the size of the center square. To do
   that, add the size of the 2 corner squares to the 2 tracks
   of feathers. Subtract that answer from the finished size
   of the block.
   4.3936 ̋ + 4.3936 ̋ + 0.9953 ̋ + 0.9953 ̋ = 10.7778
   15 ̋ – 10.7778 ̋ = 4.2222 ̋ = 41/4 ̋ center square


7. Divide 4.222 ̋ by 3.414 to find the size of the G
   corner triangles of the H octagon.
   4.222 ̋ ÷ 3.414 = 1.2367 ̋ = 11/4 ̋ G corner triangles


8. On 8-to-the-inch graph paper, draw a 41/4 ̋ square.
   Then, measure in from each corner in both direc-
   tions 11/4 ̋. Connect the marks diagonally and erase the
   corners.