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Quilts and Airplanes

I enjoy putting quilts on point.  It’s a fun way to mix up a pattern with a block or group of blocks.  This quilt uses two simple blocks, a snowball and plus block. Putting it on point makes it look more complicated than it really is.   

 Some people shy away from putting a quilt on point because of the math.  It’s really not that hard.  the formula is quite easy.  a2 + b2 = c2.  

 For the setting triangles a and b equal the size of your finished block.  For the corners c equals the size of your finished block. Then add your seam allowance. Don’t want to do the math?  I have several patterns where it’s all figured out for you.  To celebrate my hubby’s new toy I have all my on point patterns on sale.  Find them here.

 Not only is this formula good for quilts but for when your hubby decides to buy an airplane in New York State and you live in Utah.  Before making the purchase he wanted to make sure it would fit in the truck he would be driving it home in.  It needed a little work and while he is working on getting his pilot’s license but doesn’t have it yet.  Plus our son’s girlfriend needed help moving across the nation.  So he saw it as a way to help her out and get what he wanted.  Gotta love the man.  He puts up with my crazy so well.  I’ll gladly put up with his.

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5 Comments

  • Brenda @ Songbird Designs says:

    I purchased one of your patterns to try to understand your math, but I cannot figure it out! I tried it using a 10" block but the numbers are so large (100+100=200??)! Just doesn't make sense to me and I've always been really good with math. Maybe it's too early in the AM!! LOL

  • em's scrapbag says:

    You need to take the square root of 200 to get your c measurement. Then add your seam allowance. Let me know if you have any other questions.

  • Yvonne says:

    Your quilt is beautiful. You are so right putting things on point does make them look much more complicated for not that much more effort. I must push myself past that math barrier and venture down that route. Thanks for the encouragement!

  • Michelle Churchman says:

    Love this quilt! I agree with you about how setting blocks on point gives the illusion of making a pattern complicated.

    Good luck to your husband with his plane and pilot’s license!

  • Sylvia@Treadlestitches says:

    Love the quilt, and the story! And you're right about on point settings–worth the effort!

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