How do I design a strip quilt with square blocks

Insuring the blocks in your strip quilt are square is a matter of simple multiplication.

  1. Click QUILT > New Quilt > Vertical Strip (or Horizontal strip).
  2. Click the Layout tab.
  3. Click the Add or Delete button until you have the number of strips you want.
  4. Under Select strip style: Pieced Blocks

    To make sure the blocks are square, use this formula:
    Strip Width x Number of blocks = Strip Length

  5. Under Number of blocks along length: choose the number of squares you want along the strip.
  6. Under Strip size: choose the width you want.
  7. For Length: multiply width x number of blocks. This ensures your blocks are square.

    For example:
    Strip width: 9”
    Number of blocks: 7
    Strip length: 9” x 7 blocks = 63”

  8. Click strip 2 to select it. Now, you can either set plain strips between block strips or choose another block style.
  9. Under Select strip style, you might choose:
    • Plain (to separate block rows with long plain strips)
    • or Half Drop Blocks (to stagger blocks in rows)
  10. Under Strip size: choose the width you want. Plain strips can be any width. Half Drop Blocks must be the same strip width as strip 1 and have same number of blocks as strip 1.
  11. Click strip 3 to select it. Repeat strip style, width and number of blocks used for strip 1.
  12. Click strip 4 to select it. Repeat strip style, width and number of blocks used for strip 2.
  13. Continue alternating strip styles until your layout design is complete.
  14. Click the Layer 1 tab when you’re ready to set blocks or color into your layout.