Use the On-Point Quilt Calculator when you want to set your blocks on-point. In addition to the design enhancement of a block set on-point, generally fewer blocks are required to make the quilt larger. When a block is set on-point the width and length measurements of the block increase.
This is an on-point quilt without sashing or cornerstones. Blocks of two different colors are set on-point. These are the red and orange blocks.
The side setting triangles are shown in green and the corner setting triangles are shown in yellow. There is no border.
When using the On-Point Quilt Calculator, the blocks across and blocks down are those shown in red. In this case there are 5 blocks across and 7 blocks down.
The quilt shown at right includes sashing, shown in black, and cornerstones, shown in red. Adding these components to the quilt make it larger.
The blocks across (5) and blocks down (7) are the same as the previous quilt and shown here in orange.
Add borders to either quilt layout. The On-Point Quilt Calculator will give you fabric requirements and cutting instructions for sashing, cornerstonse, borders, backing and binding.
NOTE: All results from this calculator are approximate due to the amount of rounding. Your final quilt size will be close to the numbers but don’t count on ending up with the exact size. Concentrate on accurate cutting and piecing and your quilt should be fine. Fabric results are the exact amount needed. It is strongly suggested you purchase extra fabric to allow for shrinkage and cutting errors.
Using the On-Point Quilt Calculator
Step One
Use this calculator to design and size your on-point quilt layout. Start with the finished block size. Enter that in the calculator.
Step Two
Start entering numbers (or use the arrows) in the Blocks Across and Blocks Down fields. Once numbers are entered in both fields you will see some results including:
- Quilt Finished Size
- Number of Blocks
- Binding Fabric
- Side & Corner Setting Triangles
- Backing 44″ Fabric
- Backing 108″ Fabric
As you change these numbers, the results change as well. Keep an eye on the Quilt Finished Size to find the size you are looking for.
Step Three
As you add sashing and/or borders by entering numbers in the desired field, You will see results for sashing and cornerstones and/or borders. Entering or changing numbers, recalculates and changes the results. See these results:
- Sashing Fabric
- Cornerstone Fabric
- Border Crosswise Cuts
- Border Lengthwise Cuts
Step Four
After that, copy or print the results once you are happy with the quilt layout. To continue with the other calculators, you will need to know the following values:
- Use the Block Finished Size and Number of Blocks to calculate fabric requirements and cutting instructions for the blocks.
- Block Finished Size
- Number of Blocks
- Find fabric requirements for the side and corner setting triangles by using the Side & Corner Setting Triangles Calculator. This calculater needs to know the side triangle block size and the number of setting triangles.
- Block size from the Side and Corner Setting Triangles
- Number of Side Triangles
NOTE: Although we take great care to get the information, numbers and calculations right, we are not responsible for errors on this platform. It is strongly suggested you make test cuts and test piecing before cutting your entire project.
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Happy quilting!
4 responses to “On-Point Quilt Calculator”
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I have learned so much from your videos. I’m in the process of making an on point quilt and although I have a lot of quilting reference books, I couldn’t figure out exactly how many blocks I would need or how adding sashing would effect the size. This calculator you created was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you so much! You’re a wonderful teacher and quilter and your choices of fabric and color are outstanding!
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Laura, Thank you so much for your comments. I am so glad the calculators have helped you! Best wishes.
Carol
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This on point feature came out at the perfect time for me! I’m currently trying to figure out an out point quilt. Your calculator and video instructions are invaluable. Thank you so much!
Question.…. If I use 2 different fabrics like your red and yellow blocks on point picture, how do I determine the number of blocks for each color and the amount of fabric to purchase for each color block?
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Great question Charlotte! From the calculator example you have total blocks of 59. For the blocks across and down (the red ones in the example) multiply the blocks across x the blocks down. So 5 x 7 = 35 red blocks. Subtract that from the total blocks: 59-35 = 24 yellow blocks.
If you are using two fabrics for the blocks, red and yellow in the example, that would depend on the cut size (finished size + 1/2″) of the blocks. Enter the finished size in the Squares and Rectangles Calculator. Enter the number of blocks for red fabric as 35 for the red fabric requirements. Enter the number of blocks for yellow fabric as 24 for the yellow fabric requirements.
For pieced blocks you would need fabric requirements for each patch.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your project.
Carol
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