FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT USING CATS TEMPLATES
Updated: 10/13/07
ADAPTING OTHER PATTERNS
To help those quilters who haven’t had much piecing experience, this page will explain how to use CATS Templates instead of paper or methods called for in other patterns.
Start adapting before you make a single fabric cut! Read through the pattern you are trying to adapt. Many, many patterns call for cutting strips, then lots of precise squares, drawing a line down the center, sewing ¼” seams, then cutting on the drawn line. Instead, CATS technique works best when fabric is left in a large piece, either a rectangle or a square.
At some point the pattern should state how many half-square units are needed. Make note of that number. Refer to the Fabric Requirements page of the CATS instructions and either multiply or divide the fat quarter yields to approximate yardage needed.
EXAMPLE: Knowing that I will get at least 76 2" finished yield from a fat quarter sandwich, I would multiple or divide as follows:
• If I need 144 units, I would multiply 76 x 2, so I would allow 1/2 yard each fabirc, knowing I will be making some extra units.
• If I need 50 units, I would divide into 76. 50 is 2/3rds of 76, so I would use 2/3 of a fat quarter.
To figure what size to make: The “Rule of 7/8” is important to know.
The bias seam removes 3/8” from the beginning measurement, then another ½” is lost when unit is finished. For instance, a 3 7/8” square cut diagonally will become a 3 ½” unfinished unit, then a 3” finished unit.
If you are still unsure which size to make, CUT AND SEW A SAMPLE BLOCK!!
Remember that CATS Templates have seam allowances built in. The finished size printed on the template is the size in your quilt top.
I think most quilters will be using the above method for estimating fabric.
Can straight-grain strips be used with this technique? Yes, but seams are sewn on the straight of grain and the resulting half-square triangle will have bias edges, which I cannot recommend. The strips would be the same width as the “line spacing” measurement printed on each template.
If you have straight-grain strips that are wide enough (finished size + 1”) you can still draw diagonal lines and sew bias seams. It’s not as time efficient to draw lots of short lines and sew lots of short seams, but it is doable.
For further information: Figuring Yardage for Exact Yields
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