How in the world do you do it :?: :)

I have been looking at 2 free pattern sites for a block to use for my summer quilt. Sites are quilters cache and block central. I have started making a list of those I like the most. So far that is 8 but I have only started.

As of now I have only looked at blocks which names have caught my eye. So there ar many I have not looked at for I either know them for they are very common or the were more a pic like basket or flower. I like things that are not so common so I am checking blocks that are not known to me for this quilt.

Tell you EQ6 would be a big help but I do not have that kind of money and will not for a long time. So what would help me design a quilt without that program? I guess the cheapest thing is just a pen and paper.

Is there any other free quilt block sites I should know of to look into?

I myself get overwhelmed with all the blocks.....I choose a quilt or a block and I find if I do a sampler of that block I find out how hard the block is sometimes I don't want to do that hard a block .....I made the mistake of cutting all my fabric and then found the block boring or to hard but was obligated to finish it.....or find something else that I could use all that cut up fabric on.....let me say I did the latter.....took me awhile to find another block for them sizes but me did.....:-)......Good luck

here's a site i visit for inspiration. you'll have to look elsewhere for the patterns, but she grants permission to save the images to your hard drive. as your cursor passes over an image, you'll see the name of the block. you can us that to track down instructions on the internet.

print them or insert them into a program like word, powerpoint or anything similar. you could play with them like puzzle pieces and design to your heart's content.

:P

http://www.dlstewart.com/clipart.htm

Try this site.. free patterns, ideas and you can download as many as 3 different sizes of templates if you want to hand piece... http://www.jinnybeyer.com/ awesome patterns.

Here are two more sites to look at.
http://www.edwardssoftware.com/quilts/blocks.html
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/qb/index.html

Being a relative beginner (only 1 1/2 years quilting), it is important to pick a block that is equivalent to your skill level. If the block is too hard, you may become discouraged and may not complete the quilt. If you are the kind of person who really likes a challenge, that is probably not aoing to be an issue.

To me, though, it is important that I really ENJOY the process of putting the quilt together. So, I carefully look at blocks and think long and hard before picking something. I want putting the quilt together to be FUN! Squares and rectangles are easy, triangles can be troublesome. I do include some triangles even so and don't mind ripping them out if they don't come out just right.

Just my opinion......

Here is a free trail of Quilt Pro.

http://www.quiltpro.com/go.php?id=123_Quilt_mainpage

All the fabric companies have websites with free patterns. You might start by looking at the site that belongs to whoever made your fabrics. I have 2 big 3 ring binders of printouts from sites like these.

I have collected books and magazines (I subscribe to McCalls Quilting and Quilt magazine) and I never throw them out. I go back through them for inspiration. But beware! Sometimes the more I look, the more quilts I want to make, and I can't decide on just one.

BellaBoo thanks for that link that 123 I can afford.

Also thank you all for all the great links. I love to find new web sites.

:D

I usually know what look I want to go for because either the pattern or the fabric "talks" to me. Do you have a fabric in mind? One of the tips I learned is that blocks that have the same number of divisions can be used together and when they are alternated, they form a new pattern.

If all else fails, do the eeny-meeny-miney-mo count off and pick one. Don't worry - the others will still be there with a few new friends when you get the quilt done. :wink: