Monday, June 29, 2009

New in QuiltFab 2.0



QuiltFab 2.0 is now available in the App Store and will do even more to help you determine how much fabric you need for some common backing, binding, border, and sashing fabric choices and construction methods for making quilts. The following new features are available.

Borders:
The border feature has been expanded to include a couple new options, including pieced borders and a second border. The borders can be mitered or finished square. A mitered border, with the ends of each strip finished at an angle, requires more fabric. Other border options, including more than 2 borders, are beyond the scope of this tool.


If you are willing to piece the borders, we assume you will cut the border
strips on the crosswise grain, selvage to selvage. If you request unpieced borders, then the strips will be cut from lengths of fabric (parallel to the selvages). If you have directional prints, or want to center or match repeating motifs, additional fabric will be needed.


Blocks:
Plain blocks are often used as alternate blocks, or are used to make setting triangles. Within this tool, the number of blocks and their size do not need to "fit" into the quilt in any way: they are independent of the other details of your quilt project.

Sashing:
A quilt design may use sashing strips to separate the blocks within the quilt. Although these sashing strips may be cut and sewn to the sides of the individual blocks, still the amount of fabric required is only slightly less than if they were used as long strips, running horizontally and vertically across the quilt, up to, but not extending into any borders. This tool will determine the fabric needed for the long strips.


You can email the summary information so you have a permanent record of your choices and the resulting fabric needs.

Friday, June 26, 2009

QuiltFab 2.0 now available!

QuiltFab 2.0 is now available in the App Store and will do even more to help you determine how much fabric you need for some common backing, binding, border, and sashing fabric choices and construction methods for making quilts.

This release passed review by Apple on the same day that my husband had thoracic surgery and we learned that he is, after all, perfectly healthy! So once I get him safely home and on the road to recovery, I'll bring this blog up-to-date on all the latest features of QuiltFab 2.0! Meanwhile, you can download the latest (still free) version, and see for yourself how it has added features for a second border, pieced or unpieced borders, sashing strips, and alternate blocks! Plus, you can email the results so you have a permanent record of your choices and the resulting fabric needs.

Let me know what you think!