QuiltFab 3.0 now available!

QuiltFab 3.0 [App Store link] is now available in the App Store! Read on for more detail on what is new in this version.

The first thing you'll notice is the completely redesigned set of screens. This new design uses a more standard table format, allowing for a flatter navigation model. In other words, you can get to the information you want faster. All input information is available from the main table or list. It may take some getting used to, but I hope you like it and find it easier to use.

Secondly, you'll notice that there is no more typing of sizes and counts. Instead, you use the pickers, which look a lot like twirling slot machines. Sizes can be entered in fractions of inches, or tenths of centimeters. That's right, this version supports metric measures! (This has been a requested feature from our sister quilters in Japan and Australia. Thanks, Debbie in Japan and Elva in Australia, for your input on how this should work.)

Next, the setting triangles feature from QuiltRef has been included. It not only determines the size of the squares to make for cutting into corner and side setting triangles, but it also determines the total amount of fabric needed.

A third border is now included, so your quilt can inched 0, 1, 2, or 3 borders. Since some quilters prefer to work with a quilt size before the borders are added, and some quilters like to specify the final quilt size, both options are now available.

Finally, a table of U.S. mattress sizes and quilt sizes for them are included. And each computed fabric amount has an associated explanation of how that amount was arrived at.

Now QuiltFab 3.0 has a look and feel that is similar to its newer companion app, BockFab, which computes fabric needs for a library of traditional grid-based blocks and patch shapes, as well as allowing you to try some quilt layouts. Together, they aim to help you dream, plan, and complete your next quilt project!

Another Companion App, BlockFab

BlockFab[App Store link] is the latest in this series of free mobile quilting apps. BlockFab will answer the questions, "How much fabric will I need to make some traditional quilt blocks?"
"What would they look like in a quilt layout?"

Read more about it on the blog, blockfab.blogspot.com

QuiltFab's Companion App, QuiltRef

I have been remiss in not posting the promised entry when QuiltFab's companion App, QuiltRef [App Store link] became available. It's a free mobile quilt reference app that is not just for quilters, but for quilt fans too. This utility for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch provides useful information whether you are in a quilt shop buying fabric, at a quilt show admiring others' handiwork, or hunting antique quilts at auctions and yard sales. Read more about it on the blog, quiltref.blogspot.com

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.

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!

"What would you like to see in QuiltFab 2.0?"

QuiltFab 1.0 is already available and will help you determine how much fabric you need for some common backing, binding, and border fabric choices and construction methods.

I'm working on version 2.0, and it's coming along nicely. Are there any features you would like to see? One request I've gotten is to include provisions for a second border. Another quilter would like to determine the fabric needed for unpieced borders. What would you like to see?

"How much fabric do I need to finish this quilt I'm making?"

QuiltFab will help you answer that question for some common backing, binding, and border fabric choices and construction methods.

QuiltFab is a free fabric calculator utility application for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch, available on the Apple App Store as QuiltFab [App Store link].

Tip: When you are finished entering a number, tap another field, or tap the background to dismiss the numeric keypad. (Click on photos on this page to see full size.)

When you leave the application, your latest field values will be saved, and this information will appear the next time you use the application. Thus you can customize QuiltFab to use your own preferred fabric and quilting methods.

Fabric: Quilt fabric typically comes in a nominal 42" width, but it is safer to assume that 40" of that is usable, after shrinkage. The cut end of the fabric is usually not straight with respect to the selvage edge, so a couple inches will be lost when straightening it. Cotton fabric usually shrinks 3% to 5% (lengthwise) when washed, although flannels and other fibers may shrink more or less. If you do not pre-wash the fabric, shrinkage is not a factor.

Backing: If yardage is used for a plain backing, it is typically cut with the lengths running top to bottom, the long way. Sometimes it is preferable to run the fabric crosswise along the quilt. In either case, if the quilt is wider than the fabric width, multiple lengths must be used. If more than one length is needed, the last length, if narrow enough, can be pieced by using a shorter length of fabric, cutting it in half or thirds along the length, and joining the pieces, end to end. This will save on buying yardage, but some quilters prefer to not piece it, and instead add the extra, unused fabric to their stash for another project.

Binding: This tool assumes a straight grain binding, as opposed to a bias-cut binding. It also assumes diagonally cut ends for joining strips, and mitered corners. A double binding is typically used on quilts larger than miniatures, meaning that the fabric is folded in half lengthwise, sewn with a quarter-inch seam along the front side of the quilt, and turned over to the back of the quilt for final stitching. Depending on the thickness of the batting, this typically requires cutting the binding strips 2 1/2" wide. If you use a single-thickness binding, or need a narrower or wider
binding, you will need to adjust the cut width of the binding fabric.

In any case, we assume you will cut the binding strips on the crosswise grain, selvage to selvage. Enough yardage is included to allow joining the binding strips at a 45 degree angle.

Border: Simple quilt border options include no border, or a single border that is mitered or finished square. A mitered border, with the ends of each strip finished at an angle, requires more fabric. Other border options, including multiple borders, are beyond the scope of this tool.

We assume you will cut the border strips on the crosswise grain, selvage to selvage. If you want unpieced borders, have directional prints, or want to center or match repeating motifs, additional fabric will be needed.

Latest version: 1.0

Let us know what you think, and what you'd like to see, by emailing us at

quiltfab@podlecki.com

Copyright © 2009 by Mary Kay Podlecki

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