fabric amounts for quilts

So I come across a neat quilt in Fons and Porter's magazine (sept./oct.

2008) It is called Mariner's in a Pickle. It could work for what I want to do. Under the materials list is 2-3/4 yds of 17 prints. 2 yds. for binding and 14 yards for backing. That comes to a whopping 62-3/4 yards. My question is how much fabric would you guess is an average for a king size quilt? This number seems kind of crazy. Taria
Reply to
Taria
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Most likely it means seventeen different prints equal to a total of 2

3/4 yards. HTH Bonnie NJ
Reply to
Bonnie NJ

Not familiar with the pattern. If it's a NY Beauty-type block, then Bonnie is correct. At least that's what was required for the one I did (in terms of # of fabs =3D x yds). Mine is only lap size so the required yardage was far less. 14 yards seems a bit excessive for backing. Might want to calculate that one on your own.

Kim in rainy NJ

Reply to
AuntK

That does seem like quite a bit. Just a rough estimate of the backing for a 120"x120" quilt comes up with about 10.5 yards - not 14.

It's hard to imagine that it would take nearly 47 yards for the top! If it's paper pieced, it might take a bit more than normal, but that does seem excessive. I checked the Website to see if there was a correction listed, but I couldn't find one, so that didn't help!

Maybe you could take some scraps and make one segment of the quilt and see how much fabric that took. Then multiply it by the number of times you'd have to make that segment, which would give you an estimate of the total yardage. You could then divide by 17 to get actual yardage for each fabric.

Good luck - it's a beautiful design.

Louise > So I come across a neat quilt in Fons and Porter's magazine (sept./oct.

Reply to
Louise in Iowa

First off check your math. I got 52 yards from your numbers rather than 62.

I googled Mariner's in a Pickle. Now That I have wiped the drool off the screen I have to say, wow what a gorgeous pattern!

As to the backing, I usually make gigunda size quilts and generally 9-12 yards of standard width fabric is sufficient. Yardage there will largely depend on how you choose to piece it together. It could easily come to more than I usually use.

As for the top, I can see it. It takes more fabric when you are cutting curves and irregular angles, and the more seams you have the more fabric you need. Both Pickle Dish and Mariner's Compass take more fabric than the average regular geometric design, so it is no surprise that combining the two takes a lot. Plus you know that not all the prints are going to take 2 3/4 yards. I have never met a written pattern that didn't at least round, and a good many just say the same quantity for all fabrics that come to within a half yard or so.

On average tops for most of my large quilts take between 15 and 30 yards of fabric total, sometimes they take more. It depends on the pattern of course, and how big I am making the blocks. Quilts of smaller blocks take more fabric than quilts of larger blocks, quilts made up of odd shaped units or overall designs are anybody's guess, and I always over or under estimate borders for some reason.

NighMist

Reply to
NightMist

Most likely it means seventeen different prints equal to a total of 2

3/4 yards. HTH Bonnie NJ
Reply to
Taria

Not familiar with the pattern. If it's a NY Beauty-type block, then Bonnie is correct. At least that's what was required for the one I did (in terms of # of fabs = x yds). Mine is only lap size so the required yardage was far less. 14 yards seems a bit excessive for backing. Might want to calculate that one on your own.

Kim in rainy NJ

Reply to
Taria

Here is a link to one of these:

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is paper pieced and that always takes a lot more fabric but I bet there would be a lot left over at this rate. Thanks Louise, Taria

That does seem like quite a bit. Just a rough estimate of the backing for a 120"x120" quilt comes up with about 10.5 yards - not 14.

It's hard to imagine that it would take nearly 47 yards for the top! If it's paper pieced, it might take a bit more than normal, but that does seem excessive. I checked the Website to see if there was a correction listed, but I couldn't find one, so that didn't help!

Maybe you could take some scraps and make one segment of the quilt and see how much fabric that took. Then multiply it by the number of times you'd have to make that segment, which would give you an estimate of the total yardage. You could then divide by 17 to get actual yardage for each fabric.

Good luck - it's a beautiful design.

Louise in Iowa

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Reply to
Taria

I got the calculator out and got 62 again. It is a lot either way. I think if I did buy the fabric for this I would probably get more than one quilt. I usually do scrappy out of the stash so I'll have to sit down and do up a bit of the pattern.

I am so glad you are feel> So I come across a neat quilt in Fons and Porter's magazine (sept./oct.

First off check your math. I got 52 yards from your numbers rather than 62.

I googled Mariner's in a Pickle. Now That I have wiped the drool off the screen I have to say, wow what a gorgeous pattern!

As to the backing, I usually make gigunda size quilts and generally 9-12 yards of standard width fabric is sufficient. Yardage there will largely depend on how you choose to piece it together. It could easily come to more than I usually use.

As for the top, I can see it. It takes more fabric when you are cutting curves and irregular angles, and the more seams you have the more fabric you need. Both Pickle Dish and Mariner's Compass take more fabric than the average regular geometric design, so it is no surprise that combining the two takes a lot. Plus you know that not all the prints are going to take 2 3/4 yards. I have never met a written pattern that didn't at least round, and a good many just say the same quantity for all fabrics that come to within a half yard or so.

On average tops for most of my large quilts take between 15 and 30 yards of fabric total, sometimes they take more. It depends on the pattern of course, and how big I am making the blocks. Quilts of smaller blocks take more fabric than quilts of larger blocks, quilts made up of odd shaped units or overall designs are anybody's guess, and I always over or under estimate borders for some reason.

NighMist

Reply to
Taria

I got out the calculator again, and this time it agrees with yours. I blame the narcotics for all previous errors. :D

One thing is certain, I won't be doing quilt math for a little while at least!

NightMist

Reply to
NightMist

I was cleaning my quilt room today and was looking at some back issues of quilt mags and I remembered seeing this mag. So I went to my library and got it out. Sure enough the figures you gave for the fabrics is what's printed. And yes it calls for 62.75 yards total for a king size quilt. The 14 yards of backing fabric is figured on the 42 inch wide fabric, not the large backing fabrics you can buy these days. The quilt is paper pieced so you can take it from there as to the high total for fabric. It also mentioned fussy cutting.

Beautiful quilt but...... expensive. I'm guessing around $1000.00 in fabric, thread, paper for piecing 18 inch blocks, batting and rotary blades.

Oh my!!!!!!

Kate T. South Mississippi

Reply to
Kate T.

Howdy!

Does seem like rather a lot of fabric, huh? Not that I'm opposed to More Fabric. Remember when new quilters would often come here to ask "How much fabric do I need for..."? Yeah, & we'd say, "Get at least 15 yards!" no matter what the project.

Here's a link to that magazine page:

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It mentions fussy cutting; maybe that's where all the extra comes in; fussy cutting for a Mariner's Compass can be extravagant.

Checking some of the photos of this quilt as Finished: doesn't anyone try something besides purple & gold? or the combo suggested on that page? Imagination, anyone?

62.75 yds for one quilt: I'll pass. Please show us pics of yours when Finished, Taria. ;-)

Ragmop/Sandy - just back from ordering the latest fat quarter variety-pak from Keepsake:

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Reply to
Sandy E

Very pretty design to look at as eye candy but not one I will be doing any time in the foreseeable future! Seems like a LOT of fabric!

Claudia

Reply to
Claudia

I won't dispute everyone who's made the calculations, BUT: are you planning to buy ALL new fabric for this quilt? If you have most of it in your stash already, does it matter if the top requires 52 or 62 yards? And you can make a pieced back.

You could challenge yourself to make the entire quilt from your stash and justifiably dine out on that accomplishment for a long time.

Nann in blustery northeasternmost Illinois

Reply to
Nann

I've been watching this thread. Good gracious. It overwhelms me. Just choosing 17 prints is staggering but I'm up for that part. Polly

You could challenge yourself to make the entire quilt from your stash and justifiably dine out on that accomplishment for a long time.

Nann in blustery northeasternmost Illinois

Reply to
Polly Esther

That is what I usually do Nann. 17 pieces 2-3/4 yard is probably pushing it for my stash. Breaking it down even 'stashier' than that would be a challenge maybe beyond me! Taria

I won't dispute everyone who's made the calculations, BUT: are you planning to buy ALL new fabric for this quilt? If you have most of it in your stash already, does it matter if the top requires 52 or 62 yards? And you can make a pieced back.

You could challenge yourself to make the entire quilt from your stash and justifiably dine out on that accomplishment for a long time.

Nann in blustery northeasternmost Illinois

Reply to
Taria

Well, I don't think I ever did anything in purple and gold. I can't imagine where I would put anything purple and gold. Mom did our room up as kids in lavender and that is the end of anything in the purple family for me. I'll share if I get brave enough to jump in on this quilt. Taria

Howdy!

Does seem like rather a lot of fabric, huh? Not that I'm opposed to More Fabric. Remember when new quilters would often come here to ask "How much fabric do I need for..."? Yeah, & we'd say, "Get at least 15 yards!" no matter what the project.

Here's a link to that magazine page:

formatting link
It mentions fussy cutting; maybe that's where all the extra comes in; fussy cutting for a Mariner's Compass can be extravagant.

Checking some of the photos of this quilt as Finished: doesn't anyone try something besides purple & gold? or the combo suggested on that page? Imagination, anyone?

62.75 yds for one quilt: I'll pass. Please show us pics of yours when Finished, Taria. ;-)

Ragmop/Sandy - just back from ordering the latest fat quarter variety-pak from Keepsake:

formatting link

Reply to
Taria

It is a sacrifice Polly! Taria

I've been watching this thread. Good gracious. It overwhelms me. Just choosing 17 prints is staggering but I'm up for that part. Polly

You could challenge yourself to make the entire quilt from your stash and justifiably dine out on that accomplishment for a long time.

Nann in blustery northeasternmost Illinois

Reply to
Taria

I have a lot of FQ's....decide on color themes and I'd be happy to help you with it. Just HOLLER loud enuf so I can hear :)

Butterfly (who got the _fall_ Keepsake special and was quite disappointed. Mainly SUMMER fabrics and 10 diff colorways of same design. Last one I got a few years back was so much better.And I saved for 12 months to be able to afford it.)

Reply to
Butterfly-Wings

Howdy!

LOL!

But, B-fly, that's the point! The write-up sez, "last season's patterns and colors."

Just think one-step-back: The Fall collection has their LEFT-OVER-from-Summer fabrics. Winter will give you the Fall collection. Spring sends the Winter/Holidays fat quarters; and so it goes. I love it. Fresh fabric, this year's crop, and all from name brand design lines. Comes out to $4 per yard, & with most new fabrics hitting the market at $10+ per yard, I'm loving this bargain. There are a few fabrics I would not necessarily have chosen, but no good fabric goes to waste. Like the 6.5" squares in the Baseball Swap, it's a new-to-me variety. And it is good. ;-

B-fly, do you need fall colors? Lemme' know; I have a few in stock.... 8->

Cheers!

Ragmop/Sandy

Reply to
Sandy E

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