Determine size of tumbling block design

Oct 24, 2006 8 Replies

When I use isometric graph paper to develop a three dimensional design I do not know how to estimate the measurement (in inches) of the overall design. Counting the number of diamonds across and up/down and multiplying by the size. There must be some type of ratio of width to height. It has just been too many years since I took algebra and geometry.



I'm not sure of the question Jerry, sorry. Do you mean the actual size of the quilt? - are you working to a scale in your designing? Or something else? You should be able to set the scale of the isometric graph paper to anything you want?

What are you actually drawing?

I don't usually use isometric graph paper. I usually draw on plain paper as a start. Play about to get the design fixed, then draw it to scale - still on plain paper (I find that printed lines get in the way of my drawing). If you were to draw on plain paper up to the drawn-to-scale size, you could then probably transfer your drawing (re-draw it!) onto isometric. I've just had a look at some isometric, and I would find it a nuisance. But, that's just me - you are clearly happy with it. .

In message , MaleQuilter writes

Well assuming that you start with a 60/60/60 triangle, if you drop a line from the apex down you have two right angle triangles. The basic formula for them is a(sq) + b(sp) = c(sq) where a and b are the two sides that form the rightangle and c is the long hypoteneuse/diagonal side.

So if you know the length of one side of your triangle you can work out the height.

If your triangles have 3" long sides they will have a height of - (1/2 X 3)sp + (height?) = 3(sq) height = (3 X 3) - (1.5 X 1.5) = just a shade over 2" (about 2.04")

There are other ways to work this out (using logarithms, etc) but I am limited mathematically to just the basic formulas, and I find a(sq) + b(sp) = c(sq) is almost all I need for quilting. You might have to do your figuring in a couple of steps, but this can be used to measure most patchwork shapes.

Does that help any?

sorry for the typos - I kept typing "sp" instead of "sq" for squared.

Thanks for reminding me of the formula. That was exactly what I was looking for.

Visited you webshots----"WOW'

I have only made one tumbling block quilt a small 24x24 wall hanging. See pic at webshots.url=

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Your work is fantastic. I love your bright color selections but I also really liked the black and white geometric one. Where could I get a pattern for that kind of design?

Thanks for the help.

Jerry > sorry for the typos - I kept typing "sp" instead of "sq" for

Thanks for reminding me of the formula. That was exactly what I was looking for.

Visited you webshots----"WOW'

I have only made one tumbling block quilt a small 24x24 wall hanging. See pic at webshots.url=

formatting link
Your work is fantastic. I love your bright color selections but I also really liked the black and white geometric one. Where could I get a pattern for that kind of design?

Thanks for the help.

Jerry > sorry for the typos - I kept typing "sp" instead of "sq" for

Thanks for reminding me of the formula. That was exactly what I was looking for.

Visited you webshots----"WOW'

I have only made one tumbling block quilt a small 24x24 wall hanging. See pic at webshots.url=

formatting link
Your work is fantastic. I love your bright color selections but I also really liked the black and white geometric one. Where could I get a pattern for that kind of design?

Thanks for the help.

Jerry > sorry for the typos - I kept typing "sp" instead of "sq" for

Confused here - what black and white geometric?

Were you looking in a particular album - maybe EQ designs? I can't remember a B&W design lol If you can give me a "live" link I can tell you or send you the design. The link you posted doesn't work for me. Try copy/paste into

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or
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to make a smaller address

Ah ha!

Think I found the B&W images you referred to.

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and following? They are EQ designs exported as bitmaps and imported into Corel Draw, then special effects applied. They are the sort of thing I think you could only do on foundation patterns.

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