Do's & Don'ts

of the Fabric Calculator

The Do's

• Always build you blocks and quilts in FINISHED measurements. PreQuilt is always visualizing how it will look after sewn together.

• Create your quilt blocks using the recommended Build a Block Unit instructions.

• Turn on the snapping features in the Block Editor. This will keep your shapes snug with one another and will make it easier for PreQuilt's auto recognition to identify different block units.

The Don'ts

• Do not overlap shapes when creating your quilt blocks (unless you're appliqueing), because the hidden shapes will still be added to the fabric calculator.

The Nice to Have's

• Name your quilt blocks - it keeps things organized in the Fabric Calculator

• Keep your Fabric Link names short - it makes it easier to track in the Fabric Calculator

• Use the gridlines to help divide your block up into block units - this helps keep your Block Blowout tidy.

The Won'ts

• PreQuilt's Fabric Calculator will not give you fabric calculations for designer coloring pages. Please support these talented designers and buy their patterns. They have clever and efficient ways to sew their quilts.

• Currently, PreQuilt does not (yet) have templates for curved block units (Drunkard's Path, orange peels, etc). We hope to launch them with 2.0.

  • Nor do we have staggered cutting diagrams for the concave or convex pieces.

• Currently, PreQuilt does not work with SVG imported blocks. We hope to figure this out as soon as possible.

• There are a few preloaded blocks that also will not work with the Fabric Calculator - the Clamshell and the Cathedral Window.

• Will not give you pattern instructions. This is a fabric calculator only, not instructional. However, we do have general construction instructions available in our Build a Block Unit Help Guide.