# Build a Block Unit for the Fabric Calculator

## <mark style="color:blue;">About Build a Block & Auto Recognition for the Fabric Calculator</mark>

In order for our fabric requirements feature (coming soon) to be able to correctly calculate the yardage of your fabric, you will need to ensure that you build or create your blocks so that PreQuilt can identify specific block units (via auto recognition). If your block units are not recognizable, the software may not be able to recommend efficient ways to cutting and sewing your fabric.

### <mark style="color:blue;">About Block Units</mark>

You might be wondering what we mean by a block unit. We've defined a block unit as a sub-group of patchwork piecing that are usually sewn together first. Once completed, these block units are then sewn together to construct the quilt block.

<figure><img src="/files/SRDAyMcIfhSSgZ0IilgZ" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Sawtooth Star Quilt Block</p></figcaption></figure>

For example, one way to make the Sawtooth Star quilt block is with these block units:

* 4 flying geese
* 4 small squares
* 1 large square

Another way though could be with these block units:

* 8 half-square triangles
* 4 small squares
* 1 large square

There is a lot of variety, so it's important to create your blocks using the same block units you'd use when sewing your quilt top.

### <mark style="color:blue;">Tips for Best Practices</mark>

Please use these best practices to create your quilt blocks or block units so that you can get the most out of the fabric requirements feature.

* Build out your block with block units that mimic the way you will sew your block together.
* Mix and match block units to build out more complicated and intricate blocks.
* Change the gridlines (in the Block Editor) to best divide your block space when building a block or block unit.
* Use the snapping features when creating your blocks so that shapes nest together - this will make it easier for PreQuilt's auto recognition to identify block units.
* Always build your blocks using **finished** measurements.

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## <mark style="color:blue;">How to Build a Block Unit</mark>&#x20;

Please note that I will walk you through how to create each of these block units in isolation. Mix and match these block units to build more intricate blocks that use multiple different block units.

### <mark style="color:blue;">Rectangular Block Units</mark>

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Square</strong> </td><td><a href="/files/Jd50AqwxZSr7xM64nwqY">/files/Jd50AqwxZSr7xM64nwqY</a></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/69dulGU1oipX3mW0tp0n">/pages/69dulGU1oipX3mW0tp0n</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rectangle</strong></td><td><a href="/files/LNnRu2P7903Fulh1iSJo">/files/LNnRu2P7903Fulh1iSJo</a></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/qRgJkIfK9Ux1O9uSTO5R">/pages/qRgJkIfK9Ux1O9uSTO5R</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Square in a Square</strong></td><td><a href="/files/VC0D4ujGs45fDaMy3RVE">/files/VC0D4ujGs45fDaMy3RVE</a></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/t3HTwefJFxBzcrf5UhIy">/pages/t3HTwefJFxBzcrf5UhIy</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### <mark style="color:blue;">Triangular Block Units</mark>

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Half Square Triangle</strong> </td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/pfSpXA5XLn8ZXMzaLvzE">/files/pfSpXA5XLn8ZXMzaLvzE</a></td><td><a href="/pages/Zr5gAUcuI02pxe9TBuVS">/pages/Zr5gAUcuI02pxe9TBuVS</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Flying Geese</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/4SjBJyvQXh7dwWmWX4oN">/files/4SjBJyvQXh7dwWmWX4oN</a></td><td><a href="/pages/ykTm237aeZgfiLvjrgLd">/pages/ykTm237aeZgfiLvjrgLd</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Half Rectangle Triangle</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/ScDaSNiL9RkNpm8cafvd">/files/ScDaSNiL9RkNpm8cafvd</a></td><td><a href="/pages/eA9th41te0F1KrjytCT6">/pages/eA9th41te0F1KrjytCT6</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Quarter Square Triangle</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/MrdFcEMdOPEqiziH8MeG">/files/MrdFcEMdOPEqiziH8MeG</a></td><td><a href="/pages/q1z3DdDoj5TjulZMxClH">/pages/q1z3DdDoj5TjulZMxClH</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>QST:</strong> <strong>Hourglass</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/11PgZDvGaWtoriFz7jJp">/files/11PgZDvGaWtoriFz7jJp</a></td><td><a href="/pages/C5HER9Q7dw14SsgbB08N">/pages/C5HER9Q7dw14SsgbB08N</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>QST: Hourglass Variation</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/2no7c64Ni3bWs8qK9FCp">/files/2no7c64Ni3bWs8qK9FCp</a></td><td><a href="/pages/nuCmhnu1khue6ZN7MIqH">/pages/nuCmhnu1khue6ZN7MIqH</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Split QST</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/ZDTXT2Kb78ZxKsBOmpz6">/files/ZDTXT2Kb78ZxKsBOmpz6</a></td><td><a href="/pages/piSBVGyu9KcDgEuPstSi">/pages/piSBVGyu9KcDgEuPstSi</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Triangle in a Square</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/gMSvXApEs7IHoRNAJ02H">/files/gMSvXApEs7IHoRNAJ02H</a></td><td><a href="/pages/S5aKKB6zEsX7XfMuFOB2">/pages/S5aKKB6zEsX7XfMuFOB2</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### <mark style="color:blue;">Circular Block Units</mark>

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Circle</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/D477KW8M2A2FV05EOGtT">/files/D477KW8M2A2FV05EOGtT</a></td><td><a href="/pages/rQVeQXGimszsjFl62tLn">/pages/rQVeQXGimszsjFl62tLn</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Half Circle</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/4DFbmUYwQ8DixC16CCdr">/files/4DFbmUYwQ8DixC16CCdr</a></td><td><a href="/pages/dqIN4AfuFTcnrHEhkORt">/pages/dqIN4AfuFTcnrHEhkORt</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Traditional Drunkard's Path</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/H16z3g0x6HgBbvOQkkzP">/files/H16z3g0x6HgBbvOQkkzP</a></td><td><a href="/pages/n3j2bMVU31eJOcvRjbN9">/pages/n3j2bMVU31eJOcvRjbN9</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Modern Drunkard's Path</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/rInz1h7BKSPdYnHI7sCm">/files/rInz1h7BKSPdYnHI7sCm</a></td><td><a href="/pages/DmHGHYi4e8R5W36NIewN">/pages/DmHGHYi4e8R5W36NIewN</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Orange Peel (Appliquéd)</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/fkp9Zlb2ENjau6uBZIDV">/files/fkp9Zlb2ENjau6uBZIDV</a></td><td><a href="/pages/2qX19918lHPBwDQcs6ff">/pages/2qX19918lHPBwDQcs6ff</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Orange Peel (Pieced)</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/qiiyhWSCFVRBZIwEmM5W">/files/qiiyhWSCFVRBZIwEmM5W</a></td><td><a href="/pages/Oo7hNYeTfAoFjFo1LldI">/pages/Oo7hNYeTfAoFjFo1LldI</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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