Calculated Industries Quilter's FabriCalc 8400 User manual

Quilt Design and Fabric
Estimating Calculator
Model 8400

INTRODUCTION
The new Quilter’s FabriCalc Design and
Fabric Estimating Calculator is perfect for
all of your design needs.
The Quilter’s FabriCalc easily calculates
your material yardage so you can focus on
creativity.
Your Calculator Helps You Solve:
• Quilt Fabric Yardage for any size or
style of quilt, including:
• Backing Yardage
• Border Yardage (mitered or straight
corners)
• Drop Yardage (mitered or straight
corners)
• Binding Yardage
• Yardage for various sizes of Blocks,
including Sashing, if needed.
• Yardage, cut sizes (including seam)
and number of strips to cut for various
sizes of Squares, including 1/2
Square and 1/4 Square Triangles.
• Yardage, cut sizes (including seam)
and number of strips to cut for 45˚
and 60˚ Diamonds.
• Also calculates number of Squares or
Diamonds that can be cut from any
size of fabric you want to use – make
the most of your “stash” of fabric.
• Easily keep track of how much fabric
you need for various colors of fabrics;
store up to six different types of fabrics.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
GETTING STARTED ....................................1
Basic Operation and Entry Keys ................1
Fabric Default Values..................................3
Yardage and Meterage Keys ......................4
Converting Fractional Yardage to
Decimal Yardage ..................................5
Converting Yardage to Meterage ............5
Dimensional Measurement Unit Keys ........6
Entering Linear Dimensions ....................6
Entering Area Dimensions........................7
Additional Functions....................................8
CALCULATING QUILT YARDAGE ..............9
Top and Backing Yardage ........................12
Standard Quilt Sizes ................................13
Quilt Top Length, Top Width,
Border and Drop ....................................14
Multiple Borders........................................17
CALCULATING BLOCK YARDAGE ..........22
Blocks (Square-Shaped),
Including Sashing ..................................26
Blocks (Rectangular-Shaped),
No Sashing ............................................28
Calculating the Block’s Diagonal ..............30
CALCULATING YARDAGE FOR
SQUARES, TRIANGLES
AND DIAMONDS......................................31
Number Entries ........................................34
Length and Area Entries ..........................34
Yardage Required for a
Number of Squares................................35
Number of Squares Calculated
From Fabric (“Stash”) ............................37
Number of Squares Calculated
From Fabric (Length)..............................39
Yardage Required for Corner and Side
Triangles................................................40

FABRIC STORAGE ....................................42
Storing Yardage for Multiple Fabrics ........44
MEMORY OPERATION ..............................46
Basic Cumulative Memory (M+)
Example..................................................47
CALCULATING COST OF MATERIAL ........48
Fabric Cost Example ................................48
UNIT CONVERSIONS................................ 49
Converting Fractional Inches to
Decimal Inches ......................................49
Converting Inches to Centimeters,
Millimeters ................................................49
Area Conversions......................................50
BASIC MATH ..............................................51
Adding Values ..........................................51
Subtracting Values....................................51
Multiplying Values ....................................52
Dividing Values..........................................53
Percentage Calculations ..........................54
APPENDIX A — DEFAULT SETTINGS......55
Reset Function..........................................55
APPENDIX B —
PREFERENCE SETTINGS ......................56
How to Set Preferences............................56
Accessing Preference Settings ................56
APPENDIX C —
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR OWNERS OF
PREVIOUS FABRICALCS ......................58
APPENDIX D —
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ................62
Battery ......................................................62
Battery Replacement Instructions ............62
APPENDIX E — ACCURACY, ERRORS
AND AUTO SHUT-OFF ............................64
Accuracy/Errors ........................................64
Auto Shut-Off ............................................65
APPENDIX F - REPAIR AND RETURN......66
WARRANTY................................................67
INDEX..........................................................70

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 1
GETTING STARTED
Your calculator is designed to work
with common fabric measurements for
easy calculation of various quilt
requirements.
Your calculator is defaulted to display
the calculated results in fractional for-
mat. You can also set your calculator
to display in decimal or metric format
(see Preference Settings for details
on how to change formats).
Basic Operation and Entry Keys
N— On/Clear Key
Turns on power. Pressing once
clears the display. Pressing twice
clears all temporary values.
F— Off Key
Turns all power off, clearing all
entered Quilt, Block, and Square
values. Your calculator is also
designed to shut itself off after about
8-12 minutes of non-use.
+-x÷=
Arithmetic operation keys. See
Basic Math section for details.

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 2
%
Four-function (+, –, x, ÷) percent
key. See Percent Calculations sec-
tion for details.
0– 9and •
Keys used for entering digits.
/— Fraction Bar
Used to enter fractions. Fractions
may be entered as proper (1/2, 1/3,
1/4, 1/8) or improper (7/6, 9/3). They
will be displayed in 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, or
1/2 increments. You can also use /
to toggle between fractional and
decimal displays.
c
Used to convert between units of
measure or access secondary
functions.
c /
Used to round decimal values to the
nearest quilter’s fraction. Also used to
round yardage values up to the clos-
est fractional value if the decimal
yardage exceeds the closest fraction-
al equivalent by 0.01 Yard. See
Appendix C for details on Fractional
Rounding.

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 3
R
Used for recalling entered or stored
values.
Fabric Default Values
These keys are used for storing values
used for proper calculation of fabric
Yardage.
c+— Seam
Stores the Seam width (default:
1/4 Inch). This value is used in the
material functions for proper material
calculations (e.g., 1 / 4 i c
+).
c 8 — Binding Cut
Stores the Binding Cut Width
(default: 2 1/2 Inches). This value is
used in the Binding calculation found
in the Total Quilt Yardage function
(e.g., 2 i 1 / 2 c 8).
This value should be stored with
seam allowance included in the
stored value (no seam allowance
adjustments are made to the
Binding calculations).

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 4
c-— Fabric Width
Stores the Fabric Width (default: 40
Inches). This value is used in all of
the material functions for providing
the proper Yardage based on the
stored Fabric Width (e.g., 40i
c -).
c÷— Backing +
Stores the Backing Overage
(default: 4 Inches). This value is
used in the Backing calculation
found in the Quilt Yardage function,
and is added to all four sides of the
quilt to accommodate the extra
material needed for the quilting
process (e.g., 4 i c ÷).
Yardage and Meterage Keys
y— Yardage
Enters or converts to
Yardage (lin-
ear Yards
). Yardage is based on the
stored Fabric Width (default is 40
Inches). Also used with the /key
for entering fractional Yardage val-
ues (e.g., 4y1/2).
Note: Repeated presses after c toggle
between fractional and decimal values (e.g.,
4
y 1 / 2 c y
converts to 4.5 linear Yards
(“yardage”); press
y again to return to fractional
Yardage).

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 5
m—Meterage
Enters or converts to linear
Meters .
Meterage is based on the stored
Fabric Width (default is 40 Inches,
but you may store any Fabric Width
desired e.g., 1 Meter).
Convert Fractional Yardage to
Decimal Yardage
Convert 8-1/8 Yards to Decimal Yards.
Then convert back to Fractional Yards.
KEYSTROKE DISPLAY
N N 0.
8y1/8 8-1/8 YD
c y 8.125 YD
c y 8-1/8 YD
Convert Yardage to Meterage
Convert 8-1/8 Yards to Meterage.
KEYSTROKE DISPLAY
N N 0.
8y1/8 8-1/8 YD
c m 7.430 M

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 6
Dimensional Measurement Unit Keys
The following keys are used for entering
units of measure, with ease and accuracy:
i— Inch
Enters or converts to
Inches . Also used
with the /key for entering fractional
Inch values (e.g., 9i1/2).
Note: Repeated presses after c toggle
between fractional and decimal Inches (e.g.,
9
i 1 / 2 c i
converts to 9.5 Inch; press
i again to return to Inch-Fractions).
ç— Centimeters
Enters or converts to
Centimeters .
c 9 — Millimeters
Enters or converts to
Millimeters .
Entering Linear Dimensions
When entering fractional values for
Inches, identify your entry by using
the ikey
. Enter fractions by
entering the numerator (top), pressing
/(fraction bar key) and then the
denominator (bottom). Press Nafter
each example.
INCH KEYSTROKE
5 Inch 5 i
5-1/2 Inches 5 i 1 / 2
5.5 Inches 5•5i

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 7
CENTIMETERS KEYSTROKE
5 Centimeters 5 ç
5.5 Centimeters 5•5ç
MILLIMETERS KEYSTROKE
5 Millimeters 5 c 9
5.5 Millimeters 5•5c9
Entering Area Dimensions
You can enter or calculate area values
for Inches, Centimeters, or Millimeters.
For instance, if you are working with a
piece of fabric that is 40 Inches x 10
Inches (400 sq. Inches), you can enter
this area for use in the Square, Triangle,
and Diamond functions (see Square
sections for examples).
INCH KEYSTROKE
400 sq. in. 400ii
25.5 sq. in. 25•5ii
CENTIMETERS KEYSTROKE
100 sq. cm 100çç
25.5 sq. cm 25•5çç
MILLIMETERS KEYSTROKE
100 sq. mm 100c99
25.5 sq. mm 25•5c99
Note: Yardage and Meterage are linear func-
tions, linked to Fabric Width. They do not allow
entry of Square or Cubic Yards or Meters.

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 8
Additional Functions
c%— Pi (π)
Constant = 3.141593.
c•— Access Preference Settings
Used to access various customizable
settings. See Preference Settings
for details
.
cx— Clear All
Clears all stored values, including
Memory, and resets to default values
(except Preference Settings which are
retained).
Note: Use only when necessary, as it deletes all
stored values.

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 9
CALCULATING QUILT YARDAGE
The following keys are used to calcu-
late Yardage including backing, binding,
borders, and drops.
t
Enters finished Width of quilt top for
calculating the top Yardage of
material required.
T
Enters finished Length of quilt top for
calculating top Yardage required. A
second consecutive press of T
calculates the diagonal of the fin-
ished top quilt based on the entered
Top Width and Top Length.
ƒ
Enters the finished Border Width
(4-sided border). This value then cal-
culates, upon repeated presses, the
following:
Press Result
1 Border Yardage
2 Number of Strips
(to cut for the Border)
3 Border Strip Cut Width
Note: Border values are based on the Corner (Miter
vs. Straight) Preference Setting (default: Mitered
Corners). See Preference Settings for details.

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 10
d
Enters the finished Drop Width
(3-sided drop). This value then cal-
culates, upon repeated presses, the
following:
Press Result
1 Drop Yardage
2 Number of Strips
(to cut for the Border)
3 Drop Strip Cut Width
Note: Drop values are based on the Corner
(Miter vs. Straight) Preference Setting (default:
Mitered Corners). See Preference Settings for
details.
q
Consecutive presses of this key
calculate:
Press Result
1 Top Quilt Yardage
2 Backing Yardage*
3 Border Yardage**
4 Number of Strips to cut
for Border**
5 Border Strip Cut Width**
6 Drop Yardage**
7 Number of Strips to cut
for Drop**
8 Drop Strip Cut Width**
9 Binding Yardage***

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 11
Press Result
10 Quantity of Strips to cut
for the Binding***
11 Stored Binding Strip Cut
Width***
Note: Continued presses of q will repeat
above sequence.
*Backing Yardage does not include repeats
.
**If Border or Drop is not entered, these values are
not displayed in the above Total Quilt Yardage list.
***All calculated items include adjustments for
seam allowance, except for Binding (it is
assumed the seam allowance is included in the
stored Binding cut value used for calculating
Binding Yardage and number of strips).
Note: Entries of Top Width, Top Length, Border,
and Drop are semi-permanent entries; that
means, they do not clear until you turn off your
calculator or until you enter a new value. You
can enter zero to clear these values if you have
previously stored values.

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 12
Top and Backing Yardage
Top and Backing Yardage are calcu-
lated based on a linear, or “running”
method for laying out the quilt. This
means the Length of each strip (or
“run”) is based on the Length of quilt,
and the number of runs needed is
based on the Width of the quilt.
In the diagram above, the layout
shows three runs (two runs that are
40” wide and one run that is 18”
wide). The Quilter’s FabriCalc will
actually calculate Yardage for three
runs that are each 40” wide (2 1/2
Yards each), even though the actual
finished Width of the runs may vary.
It is calculated this way to allow plen-
ty of material to lay out your top or
backing. Each run is uncut along the
(Cont’d)

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 13
(Cont’d)
Length of the run (e.g., the strips run
the Length quilt without having to
piece material together).
If your top or backing strips are laid
out parallel to your Width, you can
switch your values on the Top Width
and Top Length keys in order to cal-
culate the correct top and backing
Yardage and strip cut values for this
orientation (e.g., re-enter Top Width
as Top Length, and Top Length as
Top Width).
NOTE: If your quilt has a Drop included and you need to cal-
culate Yardage for strips that are laid out widthwise, the Drop
and Backing will not be calculated correctly once you switch
your Top Width and Top Length values since the Drop does
not change to fit this different orientation. You will need to cal-
culate your Drop before switching your Top Width and Top
Length values. Then switch (re-enter) your Top Width and Top
Length values and calculate your Top Quilt Yardage. To prop-
erly calculate your Backing with a Drop, you will need to add
the Drop Width to the Top Width and Top Length values and
re-calculate your Backing Yardage.
Standard Quilt Sizes
QUILT TYPE MATTRESS SIZE
Crib 23” x 46”
Twin 39” x 75”
Full 54” x 75”
Queen 60” x 80”
King 76” x 80”
California King 72” x 84”

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 14
Quilt Top Length, Top Width,
Border and Drop
Find the Top Yardage of a standard
queen-size quilt (80 Inches Length x
60 Inches Width), with a finished
Border Width of 4 Inches, and a
finished Drop Width of 18 Inches.
Then calculate the following values:
• Top Yardage
• Backing Yardage
• Border Yardage, number of strips
and strip cut Width
• Drop Yardage, number of strips
and strip cut Width
• Binding Yardage, number of strips
and strip cut Width (Note: this is
Strip Binding, not Bias Binding)
Border
Binding Drop
Top
Length
Top Width

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 15
Note: You will notice the Drop is outside of the
Border (this is typical for a standard bedspread). If
you need your Drop to be included inside of the
Border, add your Drop values to your Top Width
and Top Length (do not enter Drop separately).
KEYSTROKE DISPLAY
1. Enter finished top quilt measurements:
N N 0.
6 0 i t WIDTH 60 INCH
8 0 i T LNGTH 80 INCH
2. Enter finished Border Width:
4 i ƒ BORDR 4 INCH WIDTH
3. Enter finished Drop Width
1 8 i d DROP 18 INCH WIDTH
4. Find top Quilt Yardage:
qTOP 4-1/2 YD
5. Find backing Yardage:
qBKNG 9-1/2 YD
6. Find Border Yardage:
q** BORDR 1 YD
7. Find Border number of strips:
q** BORDR 8. QTY STRIPS
8. Find Border cut Width:
q**
BORDR 4-1/2 INCH CUT WIDTH STRIPS
(Cont’d)

U SER ’ S G UIDE — 16
(Cont’d)
9. Find Drop Yardage:
q*** DROP 4-5/8 YD
10. Find Drop number of strips:
q*** DROP 9. QTY STRIPS
11. Find Drop strip cut Width:
q***
DROP 18-1/2 INCH CUT WIDTH STRIPS
12. Find binding Yardage:
qBNDNG 0-7/8 YD
13. Find binding number of strips:
qBNDNG 11. QTY STRIPS
14. Display stored binding strip cut Width:
qBNDNG 2-1/2 INCH CUT WIDTH
*Continued presses of q will repeat above
sequence.
**Border values are not displayed if Border is not
entered.
***Drop values are not displayed if Drop is not
entered.