The WWQP How-To's

Quilt Drafting


Basics

Most traditional quilt blocks are based on one of the following grids or patterns

  4 Patch - This block is divided down the center both vertically and horizontally. Each of the four quadrants are mirror images of each other. An example of this type of block is Job's Troubles

  9 Patch - In this block, the pattern is divide into a 3 x 3 grid. Each corner section is identical as are the four center blocks of each of the outer rows of the grid. This type of block is a mirror image around the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axis. This is probably the most popular basis for traditional quilt blocks. An example of this type of block is Churn Dash

  5 Patch - This block consists of a 5 x 5 grid. As with the 9 patch block, this block mirrors around the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axis. An example of a 5 patch block is Monkey Wrench

  7 Patch - Similar to the 5 Patch, this block is based on a 7 x 7 grid. As with the all of the above blocks, this block mirrors around the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axis. An example of this block is Bear Paw

  8 Point Star - Unlike the blocks above, this block is not based on a grid of blocks. This blocks is based on a square divided on the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axis. An example of this type of block is the LeMoyne Star

 Circle - This block is based upon a circle placed in the center of the block. An example of this type of block is the Mariner's Compass


Drafting Blocks to the Desired Size

By overlaying the quilt block with the correct grid, the quilt pattern be broken down into its components. The individual units can then be drafted. The underlying grid of the quilt block should be taken into account when deciding upon the finished size of the block. The chart below gives the finished sizes that will result from drafting the individual block units in various sizes. Not all quilt blocks can be drafted in all finished block sizes. For example, a block based on a 7 patch grid would be difficult to draft for a 12" finished block size.

 Grid: 4 Patch

Component Size		  Finished Block
==============		  ==============
   1"				2"
   1 1/2"			3"
   2"				4"
   2 1/2"			5"
   3"				6"
   3 1/2"			7"
   4"				8"
   4 1/2"			9"
   5"				10"
   6"				12"
   7"				14"
   7 1/2"			15"
   8"				16"
   9"				18"
   10"				20"
   11"				22"
   12"				24"

 Grid: 9 Patch

Component Size		  Finished Block
==============		  ==============
   1"				3"
   1 1/2"			4 1/2"
   2"				6"
   2 1/2"			7 1/2"
   3"				9"
   3 1/2"			10 1/2"
   4"				12"
   5"				15"
   6"				18"
   7"				21"
   8"				24"

 Grid: 5 Patch

Component Size		  Finished Block
==============		  ==============
   1"				5"
   1 1/2"			7 1/2"
   2"				10"
   2 1/2"			12 1/2"
   3"				15"
   4"				20"
   5"				25"

 Grid: 7 Patch

   
Component Size		  Finished Block
==============		  ==============
   1"				7"
   1 1/2"			10 1/2"
   2"				14"
   2 1/2"			17 1/2"
   3"				21"
   4"				28"

The components of the quilt blocks may be even further divided. For example, if each unit of a 4 patch block is divided into a 4 patch this will result in a 16 patch block. In turn, if each unit of the 16 patch block is divided again into a 4 patch the resulting block will be a 64 patch block.

Drafting Books


Creating your own Patterns

The following examples were inspired by Doreen Speckman's Pattern Play. See the Drafing books page or the March 1995 issue of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine for more information.

Start by taking one of the basic grids described above. Then fill in the grids using the any of the following individual units. Of course, these units are only a small sample of the many different units that could be used.

Block Unit Patterns


Examples

The following examples all used the 9 Patch grid an followed these basic rules. All of the corner 9 patch grids used the same pattern. All of the units in the in the middle of the outer grid rows also used the same pattern.

This sample creates an X within a circle.


This sample shows how the pattern can be changed by using a different coloring scheme.


This examples shows how the pattern can be altered by changing the orientation of one of the patterns used in the block. In this case, the pattern in the "middle of the row" locations has been flipped over.


Here is another example of how a block can be altered by flipping one of the components. In this case, one block appears to spin in one direction, while the other block seems to spin in the opposite direction.


And here's two more samples showing just a few of the many possibilities


Non Grid Blocks

Not all quilt blocks have to use one of the patterns described above as a basis. The idea shown below was inspired by Georgia Bonesteel's current TV show on PBS.

In the following examples, a square was drawn in the center of the quilt block. Each corner of the center square is then connected to one of the block corner's thus forming a star type of pattern. These examples shows how the quilt pattern can be changed by making the center square larger or smaller.

Examples


 World Wide Quilting Page * How-To's