Use a prompt to work out which measurements you need. Tell chat your units, cut or finished size, actual usable fabric width and construction method. Bring your checked values to the appropriate calculator.
Paste the inputs, buy and cut results, and assumptions into chat. Ask it to explain a spare unit, compare two plans or turn your result into a measuring checklist for the next stage.
The layout is scaled to the example dimensions. The hatched side strip is unused by these cuts; the orange band comes from purchase rounding. Cut dimensions already include seam allowances.
Text to take back to chat
Cut 20 pieces 8.5 × 10.5 in, 4 across in 5 rows from 42 in usable width. Rotation off; chosen extra bolt length 0 in. Required length 52.5 in. Buy 1.5 yd (54 in), rounded to 1/8 yd. Unused side width 8 in; purchase rounding adds 1.5 in of bolt length. Cut sizes include seam allowances.
Seven prompts you can take to chat
Choose the job you need. Copy a prompt with its calculator links, replace bracketed details, and keep your checked measurements with the result.
Plan a fabric purchase
Turn repeated cut pieces into rows and yardage.
Have ready
Cut width and length, piece count, units, usable width, extra bolt length, shop increment, and rotation permission.
Useful result
An exact fabric requirement, a separate rounded buy amount, and a cut plan.
Help me plan identical rectangular cut pieces. Ask for cut width, cut length, count, units, measured usable fabric width, extra bolt length, purchase increment in yards, and whether print and grain permit a quarter-turn. Use calculate_rectangle_yardage only after I confirm every input. Show the exact requirement, rounded purchase and cuts separately. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
Keep borders, backing and binding at the right measurement stage.
Have ready
Measured raw-edge top size, finished border width, attachment order, fabric widths, seams, print direction, overage and shop increment.
Useful result
A staged finishing plan with fresh measurements and separate buy/cut quantities.
Help me plan borders, then backing and binding. First ask for the measured raw-edge top size and units. For calculate_quilt_borders confirm finished visible border width, attachment order, usable width, seam allowance and yard purchase increment. Before calculate_quilt_backing ask me to remeasure the assembled top, then confirm overage per side, print direction and panel seam allowance. Use calculate_quilt_binding separately from the measured quilt after quilting and trimming, with strip width, joins and working length confirmed. Keep each stage's allowances, buy amounts and cuts separate. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
Make a short measuring list before choosing a calculation.
Have ready
Your project and the measurements you have checked, including units and cut versus finished size.
Useful result
Only the missing facts to measure, plus the appropriate calculator to use next.
I want to make [project]. These are my checked measurements: [values, units, and whether each is cut or finished]. Identify the correct ClothCount calculator and ask only for missing measurements. Separate facts from assumptions. Ask before choosing an allowance or permitting rotation. If I later request a calculation, identify the matching exact tool name first and keep buy and cut quantities separate. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
The plan's inputs, result, assumptions and any warnings.
Useful result
A clear explanation of allowances and measurement-stage questions to verify.
Review this ClothCount plan: [paste inputs, result, assumptions and warnings]. Check cut versus finished sizes, usable width excluding selvages, intentional extra length, seam allowances, print direction and permitted orientation. Explain what I should remeasure without silently replacing my values. Keep the buy amount separate from the cut instructions. If I request a new calculation, identify the relevant exact ClothCount tool first. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
See what changes when only the usable width changes.
Have ready
Two usable widths, verified cut size, quantity, units, extra length, yard increment and rotation permission.
Useful result
Two regular-row plans with exact requirements and rounded purchases compared separately.
Compare usable fabric widths [A and unit] and [B and unit] for the same cut piece [width x length and unit], quantity [count], extra length [value and unit], purchase increment [yards], and rotation permission [yes/no]. Keep every other input fixed. Use calculate_rectangle_yardage for each case only with verified complete inputs. Compare pieces across, rows and exact length, then compare rounded buy amounts and cuts separately. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
Choose the construction method and count complete batches.
Have ready
HST, geese or hourglass method; finished size, quantity, units, recipe or trim choice, usable width and yard increment.
Useful result
Starting cuts, batch yield, spare units and a separately rounded purchase for each fabric.
Help me choose two-at-a-time HSTs, four-at-a-time 2:1 flying geese, or two-stage hourglasses. Ask for method, finished size, quantity, units, trim or named recipe, actual usable width and yard purchase increment. The matching tools are calculate_half_square_triangles, calculate_flying_geese and calculate_hourglass. Keep each fabric role and buy amount separate from starting cuts. Explain batch yield, spares, fixed quarter-inch construction seams and the test batch to sew before cutting everything. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
An explanation of rows, purchase rounding, leftovers and the inputs to check before cutting.
Explain this ClothCount rectangle reference: [paste the reference text and inputs]. Walk through pieces across, rows, chosen extra length, exact requirement, rounded purchase and cut instructions. Distinguish entered orientation from a permitted quarter-turn. Explain the leftovers and identify measurements to recheck. The diagram is a planning reference, not a cutting pattern. If I ask to regenerate it from complete verified inputs, use export_rectangle_reference_sheet. Use a ClothCount tool only if it is actually connected and available. Otherwise ask only for missing measurements and direct me to the calculator links below, or explain the result I paste. Never invent measurements, a tool call or a successful result.
Measure between the selvages and state whether each size is cut, finished or a raw-edge estimate. Choose allowances for your fabric, print and construction method. ClothCount compares the layouts described by each calculator; its diagrams explain those calculations.
Share the inputs and result you want chat to interpret, including separate fabric quantities and assumptions. A pasted reference keeps that context together.
