deciding on quilt pattern and fabric
#11
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bosque County, Texas
Posts: 2,709
When I choose the fabric I try for the most beautiful color combinations I can come up with. The quilt I am making now is an applique of fleur de lis in burgandy tones on an ecru/cream background. Accent colors are blue and gold. The appliques are applied with satin stitching and also accented with embroidery stitching. There is a large medallian fleur de lis made confetti style in the center. Because I do get bored doing the same block over and over again I design my quilts myself so that everything is different. The quilt before this one was all in darker jewel tones with 60degree diamonds but I really messed up the points. LOL!!
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bosque County, Texas
Posts: 2,709
I messed up my computer and had to restart. Anyway, I would love to enter a quilt in a juried show, but I'm not that good yet. I'm not doing art quilts but I want each one of my quilts to be a work of art. And I quit quilting from time to time to sew for grandchildren and myself. When I'm trying to get an idea for something on my quilt I go the internet and look up the award winning quilts and study the ones I like - deciding what I particularly like about them and what I don't like about them. I just wondered if everyone made their decisions the same way.
#13
I usually wait until a pattern jumps out at me, and/or fabrics jump out at me... I usually spend a lot of time thinking about the fabrics I have in my stash (very small stash), and thinking about patterns that I like... eventually I'll decide on something
#15
TanyaL, how long have you been quilting? You seem like your going to be a great quilt artist. I can't always do the same thing over and over. It's fun to learn new techniques and patterns, but I always just go one step at a time. That way I don't leave my comfort zone. I used to do wood work on a scroll saw and I got some practice time in and then I wanted to do some of the hardest, most complicated patterns I could find. The harder the better. I enjoyed it, and always did good. Woodwork sometimes is easier than quilting because there aren't as many choices, you only pick your type of wood and cut it out...lol.
Quilting for me, is just relaxing. I keep it fun and I do it when I want to.
p.s. I think you should try to do an art quilt. Keep it fun and enjoy yourself. You never know what you have in you until you try it. You might surprise yourself.
Quilting for me, is just relaxing. I keep it fun and I do it when I want to.
p.s. I think you should try to do an art quilt. Keep it fun and enjoy yourself. You never know what you have in you until you try it. You might surprise yourself.
#16
Quilt Runners, Table Runners, Pot Holders and Hot Pads. All easy to make from 1 to 5 blocks, try new techniques, color combo's or monochrome. Step outside of your perceived comfort zone. You might be surprised at how much you learn about yourself and just how beautiful your work is. Even though we all see our "mistakes", I've found that the moment I share the work with someone else, all they see is the beauty!
Relax, enjoy, and embrace the discoveries! Oh, I also have made several "lap size" and baby size quilts. And in the background is the gigantic wedding quilt for my daughter. I work on it for a bit, then move back to smaller, fast projects. Having one large and 3 small projects works for me. I'm learning more with every small project, which I then put to improving the large one.
Final note, document the process, label the quilt and remember to enjoy every step of the process. It is what will keep us all sane and centered!
Relax, enjoy, and embrace the discoveries! Oh, I also have made several "lap size" and baby size quilts. And in the background is the gigantic wedding quilt for my daughter. I work on it for a bit, then move back to smaller, fast projects. Having one large and 3 small projects works for me. I'm learning more with every small project, which I then put to improving the large one.
Final note, document the process, label the quilt and remember to enjoy every step of the process. It is what will keep us all sane and centered!
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,086
How many of you know you will get bored making the same block over and over again, so you pick a pattern that has a multitude of different blocks? I know many of these types are applique quilts, many are art quilts, many are sampler quilts - not sure what else has different blocks. I know from reading lots of posts that many of you are bored before your quilts are finished, and many quilts don't get finished - is that from boredom?
Cheers, K
#18
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i am always looking to learn a new technique- or new something- i buy fabric because i love it- then i figure out what (strikes me) to do with it- sometimes i set goals to use up some scraps- or only work out of my stash- or only use one color family---always a challenge-
i seldom look at how fast can i make something- i'm not a (production) sewer- i enjoy the process of creating a quilt- and do not try to rush that (and yes- sometimes i have a deadline-but i try to still take the time to do a good job- not just a rush job)
i browse magazines, books, galleries for inspiration- i see things i would like to try- then set out to make it---me it doesn't matter if it takes a week or 5 years- i do not stress over time- and i do not rush through- i take my time and enjoy the process of creating something useful and hopefully beautiful (at least in my eyes)
i seldom look at how fast can i make something- i'm not a (production) sewer- i enjoy the process of creating a quilt- and do not try to rush that (and yes- sometimes i have a deadline-but i try to still take the time to do a good job- not just a rush job)
i browse magazines, books, galleries for inspiration- i see things i would like to try- then set out to make it---me it doesn't matter if it takes a week or 5 years- i do not stress over time- and i do not rush through- i take my time and enjoy the process of creating something useful and hopefully beautiful (at least in my eyes)
#19
When you decide to start a new quilt, what is usually your goal? How fast you can finish it? How beautiful can you make it? Can you learn some new technique? Can you make it without having to learn something new? How cheaply can you make it, i.e. using only what you have already purchased?
I have decided to take the whole month of January to do just what I want to do. I have plans to (FINALLY) finish an anniversary quilt that is to be a gift for my husband and a wallhanging I might enter in the local quilt show (if I like how I quilt it!)
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