Design a Quilt with Blocks that "Mesh"
If you sew a five patch block next to a four patch block, patches won't match up very well because of the differing grids. Seam lines won't flow into each other, giving the quilt an uneven appearance along intersections.If that's the look you want, fine, go for it -- but if it isn't, choose blocks with similar grids or use sashing between blocks to camouflage their differences.
Quilt Block Size
Analyzing quilt block construction helps you choose a block size. To rotary cut the fabric, choose a size with units you can accurately measure and cut with rotary rulers.An easy way to choose a quilt block size
To make a five patch block that finishes at 10", divide ten, the size, by five, the number of grids across and down. The result, 2", will be the size of each grid in the block.
Do the same for a 12" five patch block. Twelve divided by five produces units that are 2.4", fine if you want to draft templates but not a size you can accurately rotary cut.
Consider choosing your grid size first
Approach block size from a different perspective by choosing a finished grid size and letting your choice determine block size.
- Multiply a grid size by the number of grids across or down. for instance, a four patch block with 3" grids would be multiplied as 4X12, or 12" square. A five patch block with 3" grids would finish at 15" square -- 5x3=15.
- To mix blocks with different numbers of grids, find a size that works for both. Four-patch and nine-patch blocks can both be cut to finish at 12" square because their grids are easy to rotary cut when divided into that number: 12/3 = 4" for the nine-patch blocks; 12/4 = 3" for the four patch blocks.
- Remember that block units needn't be in whole numbers. Fractions are fine as long as they work with your rotary rulers.
