Am I the only one?

I generally make up a cutting list, but I don't draw a diagram. Come to think of it, that might be a good idea considering I almost ran out of fabric when doing a swap block recently!

There wouldn't be any point for me to do this, because the design I start with is never the design I end up with. Fabric choices also change 3.6 billion times during the process, too.

Glad it works for you! My projects would probably go a lot faster if I didn't make so many changes. :)

I don't usually do that, though I'm beginning to make a list for the paper-piecing projects I've started to do. No diagrams, though.

I do that too. I number my pieces on the diagram, then when I cut the pieces, I number the stack to match the diagram so I know what goes where. I have gotten confused in the past and used the wrong strips in the block and had to cut new ones.

How very interesting! I, too, design almost all of my work; but I always just estimate the amount of fabric needed, and cut economically. So far this hasn't been much of a problem, because I haven't done many large quilts - and lately only small ones, less than a metre in each direction. But, shortly, I have five in mind which will be much larger, so I will have to work out some plan for the fabric. I might have to do a cutting diagram, if things look a bit squeaky-tight. . In message , silverbells writes

I do make cutting diagrams for the block of the month I do for my guild. That way I can plan how much fabric I need for the one I give out. But for my own quilts, I don't do much pre-planning at all.

I've seen your planning/drawings, Julie, and they are impressive, as are your finished quilts. Since it works so well for you, keep it up!

I totally envy those of you who are that organized! The only time I ever did that is when I bought fabric, but couldn't sew because my sewing area was being redone.

L>I do that too. I number my pieces on the diagram, then when I cut the

I do - but usually only for other people (students) and then usually in my head. They bring me patterns and say things like "If I make the points of the stars and the first and third border and every second heart centre out of this fabric will I have enough?" - so I have got used to thinking fast and testing alternative cutting layouts to fit things in.

I started out with meticulous scale drawings of everything, drew all my shapes onto the fabric and then cut it all with scissors (dressmaking background lol). But those were the days before rotary cutters, and before I had grasped the concept of "stash". Now I have boxes of fabric sorted for projects, and if the design requires red I will have at least half a dozen reds put aside to mix up in the piecing.

Some designs require planning and some don't. These days I tend towards the ones that don't. But I think it is a great skill to learn, especially if you see a perfect fabric after you have started a project and you need to figure if you can get all the block sashings out of the remaining 1.349 yards left on the bolt.

I do this for purses and bags. Makes me sure I don't waste fabric.

Denny

Both my mom and I do it just to pick out the fabrics. First we do a little line drawing of the top, then list out finished size measurements for each part, then list cut size for each part. After that it is easier to figure out the yardage needed for the whole top and we need that yardage number to buy the fabric, or find big enough pieces in our stashes.

I haven't done a cutting diagram, but I've seen Mom do it when she was worried she wouldn't have enough fabric. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I *usually* do this on quilts I design myself. Didn't do it on the latest, and had to issue a cry for help locating the fabric. If I make a quilt from a pattern, I figure my fabrics by the pattern specs.

Only occasionally. My quilts tend to evolve. But sometimes there's an actual plan, and it helps to figure out how many pieces and if they can all be cut from the fabric available. Roberta in D, Queen of the Scrap Heap

"silverbells" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@news.speakeasy.net...

Yep. I plan out the cutting and figure yardage. That is also what I am doing for the patterns I am designing. One of the things that takes the longest in getting these ready to print. Also trying to figure out how much to add in for shrinkage and so on.

(The other sticking point is the diagrams..... sigh. May end up with photos instead. May be easier to make the thing and photo it than to try and draw it. )

Pati, > Before I start a block or project I make up a cutting list (I design 95%

You betcha! Especially if I have to get a certain number of squares or triangles out of a small piece of fabric.

M> Before I start a block or project I make up a cutting list (I design 95%

Just a thought for diagrams, Pati, that has worked really well for me, and is much quicker than sewing-up samples for articles. That is, to make the stages in coloured card (the fine stuff). I have a rotary cutter I keep specially for this, so I can cut accurately. I then just glue the pieces to cartridge paper, in the right positions. Sometimes, if it is a case of showing how one piece gets added to the previously made section(s), I'll place it a little distance away and use arrows to show where it fits. . In message , Pati Cook writes