Quilting Basics

So how do you make the patterns for quilting?

First, of course, it depends on why you are making a quilt, which determines
what sort of pattern you would like and what sort of fabrics you would use.
For patchwork quilting – most American Colonial Style for example, it’s very
straight forward to make your patterns, and you can find lots of examples, with
sizes, for you to print off from the internet.

Cut paper templates for your shapes, and then trace them on to sand paper (fine
gauge) or plastic template material. Then trace the templates onto the fabric and
cut out.

Or, if you are making a quilt from varying shaped pieces, you can make a large
paper or card design, and gradually cut out and put together sections to match
your design.

You will need to determine the sequence of stitching to create each square or
section if there are overlapping pieces of fabric. Follow the tips above for using
foundation paper, which is numbered to reflect the pieces you use to make up
the block.

The art of quilting is really in the care and precision, both in the planning stage,
and for the stitching.

photo credit: art_es_anna