Explore guide
Choose a layout when the target is not an exact multiple
A 125 × 180 cm target with 12 cm square repeats needs 11 × 15 motifs to cover it: 132 × 180 cm. Keeping only complete repeats inside the target gives 120 × 180 cm.
Related lessons and tools
A 125 × 180 cm target with 12 cm square repeats needs 11 × 15 motifs to cover it: 132 × 180 cm. Keeping only complete repeats inside the target gives 120 × 180 cm.
Work through the example
- Decide whether 125 cm is a minimum coverage, a maximum width or an approximate preference. That determines which rounding choice is useful.
- Compare cover mode with complete-only mode. They give 165 and 150 motifs respectively before spares. Neither option crops a square.
- For the narrower 120 cm field, a separately sampled 2.5 cm border on each side would reach 125 cm. Check top and bottom borders against the height as well.
Check before committing
The edge-allowance control adds room to the requested motif field; it does not design a border. Irregular and staggered motifs need a measured layout.
Method and sources
These are original planning examples using the linked tools’ methods. Replace measured inputs with your own samples; a calculator cannot validate the construction. Keep the resulting measurements, choices and remaining checks with the project.
Motif layout planner
Turn a measured, joined motif repeat into rows, columns, and a make count for a rectangular project.
Before you use this tool
Join and finish several sample motifs before measuring the repeat pitch between matching points. Enter the motif field after subtracting borders.
Cover rounds up each axis; complete-only rounds down. Extra motifs are spares outside the layout.
Extra outer-edge allowance is added twice to each target dimension. Internal joins belong in the measured motif pitch.
Method and limits
Formula and assumptions
Required field = target width/height + twice the outer-edge allowance. Divide each axis by the finished joined motif pitch, swapping axes when rotated. Cover rounds up; complete-only rounds down. Multiply rows by columns, then add the rounded-up spare percentage. This model covers aligned rectangular layouts.
Worked example
Example: a 10 × 10 cm joined repeat covering 95 × 135 cm needs 10 columns × 14 rows = 140 motifs; 5% allowance means making 147.
Limits and rounding
Results are planning estimates from the values entered. Displayed decimals are rounded for craft use; whole materials and repeats round up where the method says so. Confirm gauge, material behavior, construction, and finished measurements before committing supplies.
Motif layout planner
Turn a measured, joined motif repeat into rows, columns, and a make count for a rectangular project.
Before you use this tool
Join and finish several sample motifs before measuring the repeat pitch between matching points. Enter the motif field after subtracting borders.
Cover rounds up each axis; complete-only rounds down. Extra motifs are spares outside the layout.
Extra outer-edge allowance is added twice to each target dimension. Internal joins belong in the measured motif pitch.
Method and limits
Formula and assumptions
Required field = target width/height + twice the outer-edge allowance. Divide each axis by the finished joined motif pitch, swapping axes when rotated. Cover rounds up; complete-only rounds down. Multiply rows by columns, then add the rounded-up spare percentage. This model covers aligned rectangular layouts.
Worked example
Example: a 10 × 10 cm joined repeat covering 95 × 135 cm needs 10 columns × 14 rows = 140 motifs; 5% allowance means making 147.
Limits and rounding
Results are planning estimates from the values entered. Displayed decimals are rounded for craft use; whole materials and repeats round up where the method says so. Confirm gauge, material behavior, construction, and finished measurements before committing supplies.