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CraigL

posts: 9051

Nov 18, 2006 4:29 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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We`re making 11x11 square, alphabet signal flags, using 5 colors. Each flag requires a number of rectangles of separate colors, in different sizes.

We need to know the most efficient way to calculate how many rectangles of 1 color we can fit into a piece of fabric 45" wide by 36" inches long, where the 36" length can vary. (When you buy fabric, it`s always the same width, but you can specify how long a piece to cut.)

The simple solution is to take only 1 letter and make many of them from a single yard of fabric 36x45".

The elegant solution would be to start with 1 yard of 36"x45" and figure out how to use the rectangles in different flags, to account for every inch of cloth.

Can someone help out with the calculus or whatever other type of math this involves? :-)

StartupStella

posts: 152

Nov 19, 2006 5:43 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Ohmygosh, Craig.
You`re making my head hurt. Let`s see. You`re making an 11 x 11 square. Hypotheneuse of the triangle equal to the sum of the sides... multiplied by... A train going 60 miles an hour leaves from New York City.
I`ll have to get back to you on this.

Stella

CraigL

posts: 9051

Nov 20, 2006 1:41 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks Stella. :-)
I passed every one of my high school math exams by holding in mind one, single principle: No matter what the trains are doing, when they left, where, at what speed, they ALWAYS crashed in Philadelphia!

Unfortunately, where I got into trouble was with writing book reports. There`s only so much you can do with the fly-leaf blurb. <sigh>

MNGrillGuy

posts: 236

Nov 20, 2006 11:29 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I see no easy way but to make some models using MS Word. Show gridlines for length and start placing rectangles that are representative of all your varoius sizes. Seems to me this represents a huge challenge for cutting the fabric. There would be no clean cuts or seams?? Labor intensive??

If the rectangles are the same size then the number of rectangles is simply (45*L)/(l*w) where L is fabric length (inches), l is rectangle length (inches) and w is rectangle width (inches).

-------------------------

Travis Tschepen
Hibachi Bros. LLC

--My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.--

CraigL

posts: 9051

Nov 20, 2006 7:08 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Yes, if the rectangles are all the same size, it`s an easy proposition. However, they`re not. For examples, we have X different flags using the color Yellow. One uses a 34"x3" strip. Another uses an 11"x11" square. Another uses three 11"x3" strips.

I`d use the cut and play method in PowerPoint, rather than Word, but instead of just moving puzzle pieces around, I was hoping there`d be some sort of math that does this via computer.

Consider a metallurgy shop, where we have schematics for parts to a duct system. Some of them are triangles, others rectangles, and a few might be odd shaped. Somehow, someone uses a computer to figure out the most efficient way to cut parts from a sheet of metal with minimal remaining waste. We`re doing the same with fabric, and variable shapes.

:-)

Youasked

posts: 4

Apr 23, 2007 1:19 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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You don`t need a mathematician - you need a quilter. Go to your craft store and I bet they have a book that will give you all the answers.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Apr 24, 2007 4:41 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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:-) No, quilters know how to cut things out and fit stuff into square yards, but that`s not what this is about. Doesn`t matter much, anymore, since the material is inexpensive enough that we can eyeball it and throw away some amount when we`re done.

Soldu2

posts: 33

Apr 26, 2007 6:25 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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What are the different lengths of the 36’’ piece

Soldu2

posts: 33

Apr 26, 2007 10:39 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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We need to know the most efficient way to calculate how many rectangles of 1 color we can fit into a piece of fabric 45" wide by 36" inches long, where the 36" length can vary.

What are the different lengths of the 36’’ pieces

CraigL

posts: 9051

Apr 29, 2007 5:22 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Bolts of fabric can be as long as we ask for, but they`re 45" wide. (We really can only use maybe 43" given that the edges often have machine damage as they roll through the rollers.)

Actually, at $2.87/yd., we`re finding it`s not that important to figure out the areas for each color. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it`s cheap enough to cut out what we need by eye, then toss the scraps. :-)

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