Thursday, June 3, 2010

"How much fabric will I need to make these quilt blocks?"
"What would they look like in a quilt layout?"


BlockFab
will help you answer these questions for some traditional blocks in a variety of well-known quilt layouts.

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

BlockFab is not a quilt design app. However, it will let you quickly see the results of various design, color, and layout possibilities. And if you already have a pattern you like but you want to customize it by changing the size or number of blocks or by adding a pieced border, BlockFab will calculate the fabric required.

Choose from a small library of about 50 grid-based blocks, or from a library of patch shapes commonly used by quilters. Then choose the number and size of blocks or patches. BlockFab will determine the amount of fabric you need to buy, and will give you some hints on cutting out the blocks or patches, based on the cutting assumptions used for calculating the fabric needed. Both English and metric units of measure are supported.

Not ready to make those blocks, but just want to dream and plan? You can play around with the blocks in sample layouts while varying colorways, layout styles, number of blocks, and pairing of blocks. With just a flick, tap, pinch, or twist, you can view thousands of variations. Simply follow the blue arrows.

You can mail a copy of the yardage needs so you will have a record of the fabric for this set of blocks.

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

Block tab: On this tab, located at the bottom of the screen, you can choose a block by going to the library via the Library button. This is also the main block screen from which you can see the fabric needed based on your block, count, and size choices. Or tap the blue arrow next to the block to view some sample quilt layouts using this block.

Block count and size:

tap on these numbers to go to the pickers to choose the number of blocks and the finished size of the block. For convenience, you can enter the size in either inches or centimeters, but the number will be converted to the current unit of measure, as defined in the Settings tab.

Fabric:
this section shows how much fabric is needed for each color in the chosen block. The details of the fabric needed for each piece in the block are given in the next section. The characteristics of the fabric itself can be changed in the Settings tab.

Cutting assumptions:

There are numerous ways for quilters to cut patches and blocks. BlockFab computes fabric needs based on using strips. Tap on the cutting assumptions for a particular unit to see further hints on how to cut the strips.

Patch tab:

This tab is similar to the Block tab, except it handles common individual patch shapes. This is useful if you are making pieced borders, or if the block you are interested in is not in the block library. As with the Block tab, you can choose from a library of patches commonly used by quilters, and choose the number and size of the patches. The fabric needed and the cutting assumptions are also given.

Settings tab:

On this tab, you can choose a colorway for viewing the blocks, fabric characteristics, English or Metric units of measure, a default email address for sending results via email, and right- or left-handed cutting guidelines.

Fabric characteristics: Quilt fabric typically comes in a nominal 42" width, but it is safer to assume that 40" of that is usable. The cut end of the fabric is often not straight with respect to the selvage edge, so a couple inches can 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 prewash the fabric, shrinkage is not a factor.


Fabric Width Tip:
What should you do if your fabric is wider than the range of width choices? Because the strip cutting method is used, the wider the fabric, the more potential waste of unused partial strips. So if your fabric is very wide, one strategy is to specify a fabric width half as wide as the actual fabric, and buy half the fabric listed. Then adjust the number of strips accordingly.

Photo Tip:
You can save screenshots at any time. Press and hold the "Home" button followed by pressing the "Sleep/Wake button" once. When the screen flashes and a camera shutter sound plays, release the "Home" button. Locate the screenshot in your iPhone's camera roll or iPod's saved photos and send the image through email.

Pinch Tip:
When using a pinch on a quilt layout, a small pinch in or out will change the scale by one block, whereas a large pinch will scale the quilt all the way up or down. A quick pinch works best. Pinches also work best in the diagonal direction, so that if you set down or lift up one finger before the other, it isn't mistaken for a flick. If you have long nails, try pinching with the sides of your fingers.

Flick Tip:
A flick should be quick, with the single finger landing and taking off quickly, but traveling far enough in the horizontal or vertical direction to be an unmistakable flick. Flicking gestures must be done quickly to distinguish them from taps or dragging gestures.

The quilt in the header (which is also the icon for the app) was designed and made by Karen Burns, using some of the blocks from the BlockFab library. How many can you name? (Hint: some are block-within-a-block.) Watch the 'Round the Blocks blog in the coming weeks for more on these and the other blocks in the library.


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

BlockFab@podlecki.com

Copyright © 2010 by Mary Kay Podlecki
Apple, iPhone, and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

26 comments:

  1. BlockFab is A M A Z I N G ... ! It helps me a LOT with my work (and believe me, i need all the help I can get ;-P) and all I have to do is look at the palm of my hands..!
    Thank you Thank you Thank you....! <3

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  2. This is a wonderful app! Lots of fun to play with! Down the road it would be great to have "on point" settings added if possible.
    Also fabric requirements for plain alternate blocks and borders.

    Thanks for a great app!
    Cherie

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  3. Cheri, Glad you are having fun with BlockFab! I think the QuiltFab app should help you with the fabric requirements for plain alternate blocks and borders (as well as backing, binding, and setting triangles). Happy Quilting!

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  4. Here's a hint for those plain alternate blocks: use the Patch library, choose the square shape, set the size, and there you have your plain alternate block!

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  5. Great app! And it's free. If you're wondering about additional features, an on point option, and an option to change dominant colors within the block would both be great. This is so much fun! I love the slideshow feature.

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  6. This looks great, but I have an android phone. Any chance of this becoming an app available on a pc or android?

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  7. Has this app been made available for the andoid tablets yet? I would love to have it available for the Samsung Galaxy. Thanks for a great tool.

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  8. I would also like it for Samsung Galaxy !

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  9. Android version is much needed. I love the app but need it to be on android.

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  10. When will the android version be available?

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  11. I would like this for the PC since I don't have either a IPhone of IPad. This would be such a big help. Please

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  12. Is there a version of this for an android phone ( galaxy)

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  14. Your "Fab" apps need to be updated. They will not work with future versions on the iPhone

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  15. Your Block Fab app needs to be updated to work with the latest version iPad, too!

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  16. Love this app but can’t use now until it’s updated!

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  17. I’m having a problem getting this on my iPhone

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  18. Please update your apps so I can use it one IOS 11

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  19. When is this app going to be updated???? I need it to finish a king size quilt I’m in the middle of.

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  20. When will this be available for Android phones?

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  21. Can I get this on my computer? I don't have a cell phone



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  22. Unable to download app to my IPhone 6S. Would definitely use this app often.

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