How to Save Fabric with Quilt Math

• All of my patterns include Piece Count Columns that allow me to keep track of the number of pieces I have cut or am about to cut.
• My knowledge of Quilt Math has me easily calculating and re-calibrating how I will cut the rest of my pieces from yardage in my head.

How Useful is it to Know the Quilt Math?

Knowing the math behind quilting will help you save fabric and minimize waste. While written patterns usually include extra fabric in their requirements, quilters who understand the math can determine the exact amount of fabric they need for their projects. Patterns often include extra yardage to account for mistakes and miscuts. The most forgiving fabric requirement will include extra yardage equal to the biggest length of fabric cut, just in case a quilter makes a mistake with that.

When you know the exact amount of fabric needed for a project, you gain the freedom to decide how much extra yardage, if any, to include to account for possible future mistakes when you know the quilt math. This not only saves fabric but also helps you manage your quilting budget more effectively. Lastly, if you are designing your own project, you will be able to determine the amount of fabric you will need for your own project with precision, ensuring you make the most out of every inch.

Quilt Math WOF Table for Saving Fabric

This WOF Quilt Match Chart is here to help visualize important numbers in WOF Math. These numbers work for those who work with 42″ WOF. I used images of squares, but really, the height of each of those pieces can vary.

How to use the WOF Quilt Math Table to Save Fabric

Now, it’s time to use a little bit of quilt math from this table to save on fabric. Let’s take this scenario: I need to cut (48) 3 ½” squares.

When I think 3 ½”, the number 12 immediately comes to mind. So, without thinking much, I go ahead and cut (4) 3 ½” x WOF strips and start subcutting.

Make sense? Ok let’s get a little more complex.

What if I need (18) 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles?

This might need more mind flexibility to make sense of with the quilt math chart because we are now talking rectangles so let’s see if this helps.

Should I cut (2) 2 ½” x WOF strips, OR (2) 4 ½” x WOF strips?

I would go with the (2) 2 ½” x WOF strips, and here’s why:

• I would be able to cut (9) 2 ½” x 4 ½” from each 2 ½” x WOF strip. And since nine of those cuts would take up most of the WOF, there would be little waste.
• Cutting (2) 2 ½” x WOF strips would take up 5″ from my yardage, while cutting (2) 4 ½” x WOF strips would take up more (9″) from my yardage.
• If I did go with the 4 ½” x WOF option, I would be able to get
  (16) 2 ½” x 4 ½” pieces from the first strip. That means I would only need to cut (2) more from the second strip, and that would leave me with more scraps.

Does this make sense at all?! I hope it helps if you enjoy this kind of stuff. BUT if this kind of stuff hurts your brain, then no worries! That’s why I’m here as your pattern designer! =) Let me know what you think. Should I share more? Because I can go on like this forever!