You see a quilt on Pinterest that catches your eye. Your social media feed is buzzing about an upcoming QAL hosted by a certain designer and quilt shop. By all means, download the free pdf info sheet and/or print off the pattern information. Before you hit the “buy now” button, take 5-10 minutes to really study the pattern details. I am all for supporting designers and publishers. However, many blocks (often renamed something catchy to sell a pattern) are in the public domain – meaning freely available to anyone. I challenge you to see if you can figure out how to make simple designs without automatically purchasing the pattern. This will help you better understand quilty math and quilt design, plus might free up your shekels for more challenging books, patterns, and fabric.
Why do I say this?
If the QAL project involves a single, classic, pieced block, you’ll find lots of online blog and video tutorials are available. You may even find the block in a compilation of quilt blocks book at your local library or quilt guild.
Also, the back of a pattern envelope/ free pdf project info download sheet provides a wealth of information with regard to: 1) finished project sizes, 2) detailed diagram of project and 3) any special tools/supplies needed to make the project. Use this information, plus any finished quilt photos you can locate online to determine the interior block layout, finished block size and guesstimate sashing and border widths.
Block size: Quilt patterns often come in multiple sizes. Merely subtract the finished size of one project from the next size up. For example, if the toddler size is 42″ x 54″ and the lap size is 54″ x 66″, your finished block size is 12″ x 12″. This rule of thumb works best if all blocks are the same size.
Border width: Straight set blocks with a single border makes it easy to figure out border width. Count the number of blocks across one row and down one column. Multiply this by your block size to figure out the interior quilt size. Our example uses 12″ blocks in a 3×4 layout. The interior quilt size is 36″ x 48″ The finished size is 42″ x 54″ so the border is 6″ total. Divide this by 2 and add 1 to 1-1/2 inches to that number. I would cut my border strips at 4 to 4-1/2″ wide in this example.
Personally, I’ve declared a moratorium on buying quilt books and patterns. FQS is currently sponsoring a bow-tie block QAL to market a new book/fabric line and my social media feed is full of bow-tie quilts. As commenters said on social media, “I don’t need that book to make this quilt.” True, but I will be adding yardage to the charm pack swag received at my recent quilt retreat to make this quilt in “mostly” the new fabric line featured in the QAL. Excellent marketing strategy, FQS!
Come Stitch With Me 
I’m with you in this regard. I always try to figure out how to make the blocks/quilt without buying the pattern and most times I can do it. If not, my sewing room would be overrun with patterns and books I only use once 🫤
I totally agree! I know all the designers have to make a profit too, but I have been taking pictures with my phone instead of buying impulsively. I would buy all the things, If I could! It’s funny when I go through the pictures a few days later I end up deleting a lot and think to myself “wow, that is just such and such squares with a new fabric line!”. I enjoy using my imagination and creating one of a kind quilts so searching the vast free resources is something I enjoy a lot. Of course I still buy too much, but only what I REALLY love it and after I think on it for a bit! Love that there are others that think this way too! Bless you for sharing!
Cathi
Same here. I’ve rehomed most of my magazine stash and about half of my patterns. Books are the hardest for me. Collection management/maintenance is an ongoing process.