Quick Guide to Quilt Math
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Design everything using the FINISHED sizes of pieces. Add the seam allowance last. On squares and rectangles, you’ll add ½” to both the width and length. Eg., cut a 2” x 4” finished rectangle 2-½” x 4-½”.
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To make half-square triangles, add ⅞” to the desired finished size. Eg., to make a 2” finished half-square triangle, cut a 2-⅞” square, cut in half diagonally once. Each square will make two half-square triangles.
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To make quarter-square triangles, add 1-¼” to the finished size. Eg., to make a 2” finished quarter-square triangle, cut a 3-¼” square, cut in half diagonally twice. Each square will make four half-square triangles.
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For borders and bindings, decide how many 42” wide strips will be needed to go around the quilt. Don’t forget that adding a border will add to the size. Multiply this number by the width of the border or binding. Divide this number by 36 to get the yardage.
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