Designing a quilt
 

boy I haven't been on here for awhile. Getting back into quilting after the busy Christmas season. Just wanted to know how you go about designing your own quilt. Do you make up a lot of squares triangles so forth and arrange them or do you use graft paper? I am having a hard time with graft paper I just can't seem to visualize it in my heard. Your help would very much be appreciated. Thanks to all and Happy New year to all!

I am in the process of designing my first quilt from scratch. Usually I just adapt things from other quilts that I have seen. I am using EQ5. I had a vision in my head of what I wanted and then worked it out in EQ. I'm not sure it's quite there yet...not quite as 'stylized' as my original vision in my mind. It's a challenge for me.

If I did not have EQ, for me, I would probably make up some colored blocks/pieces and arrange them accordingly. I don't know that I'd be overly accurate in the pieces I made up initially. You could always work out the exact measurements/layout on graph paper AFTER getting the visual you want.

I doodle with paper and pencils, I have colored ones if I want it kinda sorta accurate with my fabric choices...

If it's just a vague thought, I use paper and pencil to sketch - esp. if there's a secondary design I'm hoping to see. I have EQ, so if I have a better idea what the block wants to look like, I'll use that. But I find it a bit restrictive for the initial sketching. I used to sketch and then work out the sizes on graph paper, before I bought EQ.

Much easier than graph paper and much cheaper than EQ, is to copy photos of the quilt blocks you like and save them to your computer (there are a ton of websites with small sample images). Then copy and paste the ones you are considering using to Excel (or Publisher if you have it). You can then make more copies of the ones you want to use, move them around, turn them on point, whatever you like. It's like having a mini design wall with whatever blocks you want available.

Publisher will let you group all the blocks into one unit and save that as a jpeg file that you can then print out.

I often start by using graph paper & colored pencils for the block design, then refine it in EQ7 or Adobe Illustrator, using one of them to repeat & rotate the block.

I am not very good at designing my own quilts. I've done a few with ok results. I have a very basic design program called Quilt Wizard- it's like the embryo version of EQ. Joanns used to carry it- it's under $30, but it has a library of blocks, fabrics, layouts etc. that you can twist, turn, combine. It will also give directions, yardage etc for the quilts and then you can print it out in color or outline. I've done the outline and then colored in with colored pencils. If Joanns still carries it and you can use a coupon, it would be an inexpensive fun thing to have.

I use EQ7. Most designs start with something I've seen and develop from there with changes to the blocks, the layout, the borders, etc.

I sketch them out on paper (regular scratch paper) then fine tune it in EQ7. The big benefits to me using EQ7 is it does the math for me (woot!) and I can play with the colors. I can even save all the color versions and keep going back to them.

The biggest benefit is the math.
Oh ... I can even print paper copies if I want to paper piece the blocks.

I usually see a quilt pattern that I like on the internet and then draw the design into EQ5. I had previous versions of EQ so once you learn how to use the program, it is much better than drafting (by the way, I took extensive drafting in college), Once you get the block drawn, you can make the block size anything you want with just a click of the mouse. Used copies of the program are normally easily found on eBay. EQ does allow ownership to be transferred as long as you have the program ID.

With EQ, can you "cut up" blocks (like a D9P) and rearrange them?

Not that I've seen. You'd have to draw the quarter - then you can place and flip.

I don't want to be a downer, but in my experience, if you can't picture something in your head, there's not a lot we can do for you. SHORT OF THIS------------

You can make thousands of designs with HST. Say you are going to use a royal blue, and a sage green and cream. Make 16 or so HST from colored paper blue/green, 16 of green/cream, 16 or so blue/cream. Make a few squares of each color. They don't have to be big--just a comfortable size to scoot around on a table. Then decide how many squares across and up/down, Lay out a grid-------------on any kind of paper. Still does not have to be on scale.

Lay out the blocks any way you like. Start in the corner or in the center. 10 to one, your pattern will not be original, but who cares. This is for you, not for anyone else. Make more squares if you need to. Add more colors if you need to, Have fun. THEN photograph your design. Maybe tack hte pieces down with thread so you can move it.

A quilt of your own does not have to be symetrical. It could run from one corner for instrnce

I started making a small quilt.Turned into a full size quilt. Using 5 inch blocks my mother in law cut out over the years. Those blocks turned into pin wheels. Borders added 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/4, and 3 1/2. I am working on the sashings. I had 4 inch blocks from the same stash. I sewed them in a long strip making another sashing. I am still working on the 3 1/2 in. sashing and am not sure if I will use the 4 inch block strip. There is no pattern I am just going with the flo.Will keep you posted.

Thanks for asking this question!! I have been wondering the same thing. I usually use excel. I have found that I can copy a "picture" of my fabric(s) from Fabric.com (or some other internet site) and change the size to fit the blocks I am considering using ... then I can make as many copies as I want and play around with the arrangements while I watch TV. This isn't perfect as I can't figure out how to do triangles... but now based on the other responses there are some other software out there that I can check out. :thumbup:

I am not very good at designing. If I see a pattern that I particularly like, I am really good at putting that on graph paper and making it.....or figuring out how a block is made. Thankfully there are those who ARE good at designing!

Same here, Deb! I can figure out a design on graph paper, but am not good at designing my own blocks or patterns. I have come to the conclusion that I am creative, but not artistic in the classical sense. :-)

It's a process for me. First, I choose 3 or 4 fabrics that I like together. (I'm 'color challenged', so don't use many fabrics in a quilt.) Then, somehow, I get inspired, and it goes from there.

I love to use panels as the start of a quilt, then play with how to border them. I've also cut panels into blocks and then 'found' the right way to make them into a quilt. Big print fabrics are also great to design around, especially since I like big block quilts.

Recently purchased EQ7, so now I can test my ideas in the software. I like it, and it tempts my brain to do more complex quilts. It also lets me turn the blocks to come up with unique quilt patterns.

My favorite shape for piecing a quilt top is squares and rectangles. It's amazing how those two shapes can be used to create a quilt top.

One fun thing I do to test blocks is make doll quilts. If the doll quilt looks good, then I can make the quilt. I donate the doll quilts to 'Fostering Hope', a private organization that provides clothing, toys, toiletries, etc. to children taken into the foster care system. Everyone wins - can't beat that.

I usually get a general idea of the theme I want. Since most of my past quilts have been for small kids. I usually take whatever they like, cars, trains, flowers, etc and then go on the net and look around. I then go to coloring book sites and look for simple color pages. I enlarge make several copies and make my own applique. The material has to fit the them I'm working on. As far as traditional or non traditional. I look around and work from there. Best of luck on your quilt.

I do use graph paper- generally just to keep a quilt within the size parameters I want *otherwise they turn out 15 feet long!* but I have found that the finished quilt seldom turns out anything like what I may have sketched/used for blocks- so the graph paper is just so I make what i'm doing fit inside the borders. beyond that sometimes I start with an idea, may sketch some layout ideas * again- the finished quilt never looks anything like what I sketched, but the layout may somewhat*~~ I (wasted) oodles of money on design software I never use- got nowhere with ~~ I generally after playing with graph paper & sketches- just start with my fabrics- decide what fabrics I want to make a quilt out of - lay them out & start 'playing' around- often on the floor- lay out some focus/main fabrics, decide what blocks I might want to add around or with them- pull coordinates- and just start sewing, measuring, figuring out what to do next to make things fit. sometimes starting with a panel or some sort of 'picture' blocks as a starting point will help you get the idea of just moving stuff around, playing with it till you like what you have- and when I have the dimensions figured out with the graph paper the 'planned baby quilt' doesn't turn out to be king sized- or the queen sized quilt doesn't wind up being a table topper. :)

Sometimes I'll do a rough sketch then use graph paper Other times I'll rough sketch then work out my measurements and go from there. I'm lucky in that maths present no problems for me.

I have EQ 7 but it's still in the box, just haven't had time to learn it but do have Rhonda's tutorial on it. One day.

I have the same one and for my level I like it.....especially helps me with the math for the block never thought of coloring the out nice tip thanks I cannot even begin to think about designing my own quilts I'm so lost at that

I always start with paper and pencil, then move to EQ (unless there is applique, which I still haven't figured out how to manipulate and draw it).

I love EQ7. I frequently will do a rough sketch on graph paper and then put it into EQ7. I then load fabrics into EQ and test them out. I have designed many more quilts than I would actually ever make! Helps keep down my UFOs!

I have a quilt designing in my head for the last two weeks and I lay awake in the middle of the night imagining it and trying to figure out how to do it, then I get up and put my pieces up on my flannel board and it doesn't turn out like my head pic. I ask my hubby for opinion and he says "oh, that's terrible". So, I guess I won't ask his opinion again and just keep following my head pictures.

There are way too many already Designed quilts in books, mags and on net that I want to do so I don't need to use brain power....what little I have...to design one

Is there a good on line tutorial etc on designing quilts? I have the bargello I want in my head, how do I transfer to papery.

But there is a world of people like me who want their own take on items they make. I don't need to copy someone else.

Draw the peaks and valleys on scrap paper, then draw a strip that has your colors in the order you want. Use that original sketch as your pattern. Use lots of graph paper to get to the end

Another approach you might try is to put together your fabrics in the order you want. Then cut the strips the size you think you want. Start sticking them to your design wall---------or floor if you don't have a design wall. You may find your head pattern translates perfectly

GrannieAnnie, above, kinda has my brain's capabilities figured out. I have seen numerous quilts posted here on this board, went to the sites indicated, studied the tutes, printed off what I could get to print, then went to my sewing room (30 feet behind my house in a separate building); hunted out fabrics and set to and made a square and put it on my design board. Right now I am all excited about one that I saw on the board right after the first of this year; and am all ready to go out and cut it out and make it; but it is about 10 degrees here in TN and that is too cold for any human to be outside.....

I updated to EQ 7 and hope to learn the program to make it worth the cost. If you plan to make lot's of quilts of your own design I think this would be well worth it! you can take pictures of your fabric and insert it into the quilt with EQ7. I have yet to do it but will give it try.

You're about 10 degrees warmer than we are. But the wind is the real problem. Dropping wind chills into the -20s and -30. still no reason to go out

Right now I'm doing good just to follow the instructions on a crib quilt, let alone try to design one. :D

Grannieannie, thank you soo muchfor all the help. Will start at week end.

I usually start with just paper and pencil. Then once I get the idea solid, then I transfer it to the graph paper to get the measurements down pat. Just remember on the graph paper you are dealing with finished sizes and you have to add in your seam allowances when writing up or doing the cutting.

I started out using simple patterns for quilts, and now I either play with graph paper until I doodle something I like, or I will start with a fabric and idea I like, and let the quilt build itself in my head as I come up with new ideas. My current project is a free pattern from Robin Pandolph for the center, and as I come up with ideas I will create it sort of like my own 'round robin'. I want to join a round robin, but I want to see what I come up with first.