All White Quilt Questions
 

I want to make an all white quilt, probably do a block pattern. I haven't decided that yet. Have any of you wonderful quilters ever made an all white quilt? If so, do you have any pointers or suggestions for me? I still don't have all my material, I was thinking about including an eyelet of some kind. Guess I just need a shove to get started. I will appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks and enjoy this glorious day!

Frankie

I once did an all white log cabin. strips were cut at 1 1/4". I had a middle panel of the log cabin I grew up in, also in black and white. I saved and used anything white or near white I could. Most had a little pattern white on white. It turned out great. Use it for a large table cover. Go for it. I think you will enjoy doing it. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. When I got tired of working in white I would get something more colorful to work on and then decided I needed more "calm" and go back to the "log". Took me most of a summer to finish but am quite proud of it now. I have also done a 10" square white quilt in a king size. That was several years ago. Still use it in the summer on my bed. Only problem is I never did any quilting on it so the squares shrunk up different shapes. I still like it and so does anyone else that sees it.

You will need to put an additional layer of fabric under the eyelet so the batting doesn't poke thru.
I've been collecting white on whites & off whites to do one of these too.

I have also been collecting whites. I like the log cabin idea. I had thought about a Tennessee waltz or a storm at sea adding in a super light color.

Be sure you use a true white batting such as Warm and White. Any batting with an off-white color will darken your quilt and show your seam allowances more distinctly. I've never made an all-white quilt, but it sounds intriguing.

I know I sound like a broken record but why does a quilt have to be pieced to be a quilt? I have at least three whole cloth white quilts I have totally quilted by hand. It is so much easier and more relaxing not to have to worry about quilting through seams. Quilting has existed for probably more than a thousand years before it became "patchwork". I believe that was a totally American invention as a way to make the most of every scrap of expensive scarce fabric that they had to import from Europe and England before the textile industry got going in this country. It is the layering and sewing the layers together that makes it a quilt not the patchwork. I suggest that each of you either purchase a white on white wholecloth quilt kit or you could make one of your own simply by using a quilting stencil to mark a solid color piece of fabric, say a pillow top, layer it and start quilting. You will be able to accomplish so much more and get almost instant gratification. There are loads of panels and fabric printed to look like patchwork or even applique that you can quilt either by hand or machine and skip all of that cutting and sewing little seams and ripping and repeating. It really is kind of silly to spend so much time cutting up and sewing back together all of those little pieces before you can even get started "quilting".

mpspeedy2---first off- a quilt does not HAVE to be pieced to be a quilt- there are tons of wonderful 'whole cloth quilts' tinabug just said she wants to make a pieced one- which is wonderful too. I have 2 all white quilts, one a whole cloth- the second one was a sampler- done all in white on whites- (I used the star blocks from the Alex Anderson book - keep on quilting) it is wonderful- lots of people wanted that quilt. :) the only problem I have with white quilts is....when quilting with white thread on a white quilt it is very difficult to see- making the quilting process quite a challenge. good lighting is a must! other than the quilting challenges the quilts were both lots of fun to make.

Tinabug, it sounds like a great project. Isn't it wonderful that in the quilting world we can each choose how we spend our time, energy and money! May you each enjoy your journey.

I have not done an all-white quilt but have done a log-cabin in all neutrals that included white. I like the quilt but there's a temptation to throw in a "bit darker" color for contrast. Try to resist that urge...i had 90% creams and whites and then included a solid that was just too tan. the quilt is fine and all that but it missed the mark from what i really wanted. Point is--if you intend to do all white..then stick to that rule and try to find as much variety in prints and textures that you can.

I just finished a white table runner. Used whites with tone on tone and love it. It would make a beautiful quilt. The eyelet would be great just make sure it is lined. You will love it.

Go for it. White comes in an amazing range of hues from very soft to bright white.

I can't let this go by without commenting. Personally I think "whole cloth" quilts are boring no matter how fancy the quilting. It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. However, I'm not going to tell somebody they shouldn't do something because I don't like it.

Live and let live.

One of the most beautiful quilts I've seen was a beautifully quilted whole cloth gold damask-like patterned cloth.

My quilts will be done my way with a little help from my quilting board friends. The only way I let anyone tell me what to do is when I ask them how to do it. Otherwise, I do it my way. Quilt police never make it through my front door.

I hand quilted a whole cloth lap size quilt for my Mom, she has since passed and I now display it in my sewing area. It is my favorite quilt ever!

I didn't mean to insult or belittle any of you who make "patchwork" quilts. I make at least 21 Linus blankets every month either by layering and machine quilting a childish print with flannel on the back or crocheting a decorative edge around a piece of fleece. I have a huge fabric collection but only cut it up and then sew the smaller pieces together when it is absolutely necessary. I also do all of my own quilting. The only item I ever sent to a longarmer was a quilt top I purchased at our guild show that I wanted to give my stepdaughter for her 20th wedding anniversary. She is a neo-natal nurse practitioner and a demon for washing everything. I knew she would throw the quilt in the wash every time she changed the bed linens. I was not willing to put that much time and work into something she would likely wash to pieces. I have never seen her use it on her bed and she and her husband have split up in the several years since.

Lots of "only white" quilt images here:
https://www.google.com/search?site=i...88.bIUn3hnbORg

I would love a white on white quilt, whole cloth or patchwork. How would that work with a cat and a husband who drinks coffee in bed in AM while watching news on tv? Perhaps in my next life!

I too, have a desire for all white. I also think a quilt done with all natural would be nice, more on the taupe side. For the white a scalloped border would be sweet.

I also want to make a whole cloth quilt. I have made pillows and it was not boring at all. How would one get the pattern on a quilt. I used a light box and quilting marker for the pillows.

I haven't done one in all whites but saw one done in white on whites and one done in pale grays - both were stunning!

A Dutch artist published a book of blocks, which, when put together, looked like a whole cloth quilt--about 20 years ago. A friend of mine made such a quilt with white on one side and green on the other which turned out beautifully. Sadly, the name escapes me now, but perhaps you can find the title somewhere.

I am working on a white/off white QAG string quilt and so far love the look of it.

I did a white on white. It was a kind of block of the month, so each block was done differently with different hearts. 20 in all. I added 30" borders so it hung low on a queen, I made it a scalloped border and quilted hearts in it. From beginning to end, it took me one month of quilting white on white, it's beautiful.

go for it and have fun

I made a 'Wickedly Simple' quilt using a collection of whites, white on white and off whites. It turned out beautiful. Go for it............................

I am having a hard time visualizing these pure white/WOW quilts!
Whole cloths yes ... but pieced, I guess I am not "getting it"!!!

How about sharing some pics of these white beauties??
... which I am sure they are. I just need to see some!
THANKS!

I'm doing this pattern in all off-whites, queen-sized. I'm really liking it.
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....very subtle design....looks very elegant...