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!!

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.

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

My Mil quilted and made many quilts. All very pretty. She kept 3 or 4 going at once, so she wouldn't get bored. She worked hard taking care of her family and was tickled to just get to quilt! Barny

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.

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!

I would love to do this someday, but am still working on technique. If my Dash quilt turns out as I see it in my head, I may put it in our guild show next fall.

A sampler quilt is on my list of things to try.

I love the voices quote.

Cheers, K

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)

All of the above! Recently, I saw a Christmas quilt I just fell in LOVE with. I knew I would not get it done in time for Christmas this year, and yet I have all but a few of the smaller blocks DONE. Ya just NEVER know what till spur me on!
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!)

Please show us pictures of your work in progress and, of course, your work when it is finished.