Am I the only one who makes quilts using a pattern?
05-05-2012, 06:39 AM
#61
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 7,583
[QUOTE=Neesie;5190885]Just do whatever makes you happy and comfy! Personally, I love the "old" patterns; the older they are, the more I like them. It feels as if I'm going back in time, joining my quilting ancestors.
I buy books for new patterns, but most of them remind me of my grandmother's quilts. I actually inherited a couple original patterns from my mom and grandmother that are my most favorite.
I buy books for new patterns, but most of them remind me of my grandmother's quilts. I actually inherited a couple original patterns from my mom and grandmother that are my most favorite.
05-05-2012, 07:24 AM
#62
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
I learned to draft my patterns from my first teacher, Darra Williamson. Then, Jenny Beyer came along with more ideas for drafting my own patterns. Also, don't forget It's Okay If You Sit onMy Quilt. These 3 teachers will help you to learn to design your own quilts, but, don't feel obligated to design your own. Use any pattern you like; it's your quilt and your passion. Do what pleases you!
05-05-2012, 07:48 AM
#63
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Eagle River, Alaska
Posts: 147
WOW kpross.........!!!!
Originally Posted by kpross
With only one exception, I have always used a pattern. There is nothing wrong with that. The one exception was a quilt for my brother. He wanted a king size and picked a fabric collection but gave no other direction. Since it was nautical I knew I wanted the center to be a star (compass-like) medallion (I wasn't quite up to a compass yet), and since there were novelty fabrics in the collection, I knew I wanted to highlight them. So I just went for it. I started with the star and built on from there, working around the center. I used graph paper to some extent to plan the outer borders to reach a certain desired size. Since he is a boat and flag lover, I also knew I wanted to incorporate nautical signal flags so I designed them to spell out "Dan Loves Bev" along the outer border. (pics attached - please try to ignore the carpet it is lying on! You can see that I used some blocks, like the center star and the sailboats in the corners, that I found in books, but otherwise, it was just improvised.) It was fun, but all my quilts since have been from patterns. I just don't always have the spark of creativity until I see what I want in a pattern. So, if you are anxious to try something on your own, just do it by picking something you love and are passionate about and dive in. You don't have to use equilter or anything else. Otherwise, there is no reason to change what you are doing.
If this is what you do WITHOUT a pattern, you are a FANTASTIC DESIGNER! That is an absolutely gorgeous quilt, the colors, theme, placement of your blocks - all are just perfect. Quite frankly, you also just solved a problem I have when I make an "off the cuff" quilt, which I do all the time. I seldom use patterns or at least seldom stick to the pattern directions, and one problem I've had is that when you start out with something that is a square in the middle, how in the world do you make it longer than wider for a bed quilt? Your solution is perfect, you added the checkerboards at the top and bottom and suddenly it becomes longer than wider. I've always thought everything MUST be equal on all sides and that just isn't so, and I know it, but your pic demonstrates it very well. Thanks so much, you should give lessons! blessings
05-05-2012, 08:51 AM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: altus oklahoma
Posts: 339
I almost always use a pattern although ive been cheating a lot lately and just winging it or making my favorite blocks all over again out of different fabrics and arranging them differently. As a matter of a fact i am in michigan atm and ive been buying some new patterns with new techniques i cant wait to try out !! i also found some new gadgets i cant wait to try out as well. i think i need another vacation to play with my new toys but i need to have this one at home so i have all my stash and thread handy cause no matter how much i packed i seem to have missed a few things lol. This is my first attempt at sewing on the road so to speak and all the advice on what to bring along was perfect. this has been a great trip.
carla m
carla m
05-05-2012, 10:24 AM
#65
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 267
Originally Posted by jcrow
I am glad you all wrote. I don't feel so bad any more. Now I see I'm not alone in using a pattern. But I think I need to do what Aquarius said and go beyond my capabilities. I'm not sure about Y seams yet. I've read the board enough to know they are hard and that scares the dickens out of me. Thank you everyone who responded.
05-05-2012, 10:24 AM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 649
I have a quilt that is still a ufo, using the same lighthouse fabric usrd in the picture that kpross used. Looks totally different, did my own pattern. It is on my website with an orange kitty sitting on it. If I can figure out how I will post one on this thread. Help anyone?
05-05-2012, 10:41 AM
#67
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,042
I like to make blocks that I can put together in whatever way strikes my fancy, but I can understand that what seems like freedom to one person might be a little like driving off a cliff to another. There are plenty of quilters of both styles, and plenty of nice quilts that come from either approach. Do whatever seems right to you. It's a hobby meant to be enjoyed exactly as you see fit. If you make something exactly from a pattern you may not be allowed to display it in some quilt shows or to sell it without permission of the person who designed it, but if that's not an issue, it's not an issue, period.
05-05-2012, 11:01 AM
#69
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 1,230
I use patterns, or block ones at least, but it seems, if I start out, going by their layout, I am often, just not quite happy about it, so I do some rearranging, or add more blocks, change the border, or whatever. Just do whatever makes you happy, & if feel like switching the layout around, go for it. I don't design on paper either, I have to use my design wall, lay it out as I go, then rearrange as I desire. Works for me...
05-05-2012, 11:14 AM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 957
Recently I read on here that 5inch blocks make a soft pattette for a quilt. I tried it by using a lite print & a darker print & alternating themwith each other like: rows of 14 blocks across for 16 rows. It turned out pretty but needed something to "spice it up a bit." I decided to add a 3inch & a 5inch border in same colorway but totalyy different prints. Wow did it add pop & zing to the quilt. I then chose one of the prints for the backing & one for the binding. It was so relaxing & peaceful to make it. Have to finish the quilting etc. I took it to the fabric shop to help pick out what I wanted to use for the 2borders, backing & binding. This makes it easier for me. I only quilt for me or to give a gift that I think someone will enjoy. It doesn't have to be perfect. I'm forever thankful for reading this on this board. I can read some patterns & do ok but other patterns I can't understand the directions. When I just want to have fun I am doing blocks, add borders later etc.
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