How to Design a Quilt on Graph Paper

Instructions for Designing a Quilt:

1. Start by drawing basic quilt block shapes (i.e. squares, half-square triangles).

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2. Sketch out your entire quilt pattern in pencil, making changes as you go.

3. Color in your quilt blocks and other areas to determine how your fabric is going to be used.
   
   Note: If you would prefer to write descriptions of color or fabric pattern instead of coloring, you can do that too.

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4. Determine the cutting size for the fabric of your quilt. The cutting size is determined by the finished size of each block. Use a black or different colored marker than your quilt colors to show the cut lines on your graph paper design.

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5. Do the math for your cutting sizes. This can be done on the extra space on the paper or on a different sheet.
   For example:
   for corner pieces, add 1/2 an inch to each of your corner blocks.
   for your center square, cut an extra 1/4 inch on each side.
   for half-square triangles, add 1 inch to the overall size. This way each of your pieces will turn out the correct size (e.g, cut a 9-inch square, stitch a 1/4-inch on each side to make an 8-1/2" block).
   for your borders, put on your side borders first and then your top and bottom borders.
   
   A few examples of drawings are shown below.

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6. Determine where your seam lines are going to be. Outline each square of your quilt so you know exactly what each piece will be.
   Label your entire sketch as best works for you so that you know all the different shapes, sizes, and colors you will need.

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7. Mark your fabric with wet erase markers, sticky notes, or pins in a way that matches your drawing so that you can stay organized as you quilt.

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