How do you design a quilt pattern?

Answer 1

The two sewing concepts most important to making a quilt are "piecing" and "quilting." "Piecing" refers to assembling small pieces of material into a decorative quilt top, while "quilting" describes the technique of sewing the quilt layers together to create a finished product. Quilting ensures your batting -- the filling in the middle of the quilt -- doesn't shift or bunch when used.

Piecing (sometimes called "patchwork") is the art of making a design by sewing scraps or remnants of different cotton fabrics (patches) together. Sometimes patchwork follows a known pattern, such as Log Cabin; other times, the patches are just chosen randomly, in a fashion known as "crazy quilt. To make a quilt, first choose your fabric and a pattern. There are many books and magazines devoted to the art of quilting, with designs of varying levels of difficulty. A simple nine-patch pattern is fun and easy for your first project.

Some people pre-wash and dry their fabrics before cutting. This is an especially good idea if you're using bright colors that might bleed and ruin other bits of material. Pre-washing also removes sizing and other protective chemicals, and allows the fabric to shrink before sewing. For best results, tumble dry on low heat, remove fabric from the dryer immediately, and always iron before you cut.

Other people prefer crisper fabric because it's easier to cut and work with, and either skip the pre-wash step, or spray the fabric with starch before ironing.

Use a rotary cutter to cut nine large blocks of fabric for the top. Always cut parallel to the grain (the direction the threads run) to prevent stretching. Blocks cut along the grain assemble nicely, while blocks cut across the bias (diagonally across the weave) tend to stretch, and are difficult to fit together accurately.

Once all of your blocks are made, sew them together using a quarter-inch seam. Press each seam open with a steam iron as you work. Now sandwich the quilt: place backing fabric down on the floor or a large table, then place a layer of quilt batting cut slightly larger than the back over it. Make sure you have an even margin all the way around, with equal measures of batting on each edge. Next, lay your pieced design on top, with the pattern facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles and make sure everything lines up properly (this step is much easier if you have a helper).

Once everything is lined up properly, find the center of quilt and fasten the layers together with a large safety pin. Working from the center outward, continue placing pins every six inches, until the entire sandwich is completely secure. If you plan to complete your project by traditional hand-quilting, you can leave the pins in place. If you plan to finish by machine, as many people do, baste the layers together using a wide and loose running stitch, then remove the pins (so they don't break your needle).

Now the piece is ready to be quilted using a pattern of straight or decorative stitches to replace the basting. Not only does this ensure durability, it contributes to the beauty of your finished piece. Since the project described is a 9-patch quilt, simply follow the lines of the squares with your sewing machine or hand-stitching.

Finally, finish the edges by sewing on a binding. This is a simple overview of quilt-making. For more comprehensive instruction, see the selection of beginner books available via Related Links.

Answer 2

I usually have an idea what I want the quilt to look like, and I sketch it out on paper first. Then I work it out on a graph so I can break it down to blocks. I generally prefer geometric designs. For an overall design, such as a mural, I would use the graph paper to give me a pattern to use

There are some really nice quilt design programs available for the computer. You might want to try one of those.

Here is a link to a list of resources: http://www.quiltethnic.com/quilting.html

Answer 3

Making a quilt requires several different steps. There are many kinds of quilts that one may choose from. Therefore, I recommend visiting a local quilt store or recreation center and solicit information on a beginning quilting class. I have been quilting more than 30 years and I grew up watching my Grandmother and Mother quilt. It is well worth the investment of time that it takes to learn how to do it properly. You will derive much pleasure and many hours of therapy from learning this wonderful art. ANSWER

The tools are slightly different if you are hand piecing and quilting or doing it by machine. In both cases you'll need fabric, scissors, thread scissors, needles, cotton thread, pins, a seam ripper. If you are hand piecing, you'll need a thimble, template plastic or cardboard, and an assortment of pencils or markers for the templates and the fabric. If you are sewing by machine, you'll need a rotary cutter, self healing mat, and acrylic rulers in several sizes. You don't absolutely need a pattern, but a good instruction book will make it much easier to learn.

Answer 4

The star quilt is a fun quilt to make, but I do recommend that you either take a class on it, or buy a good instruction book.

In a nut shell, you will sew strips together ( to save fabric, it is recommended that you stagger the strips ) lay your ruler at a 45 degree angle, and cut the desired width. You then sew these strips ( which will look like diamonds ) together creating the star. Instructions for a star quilt require pages and pages. You might do an internet search for exact instruction.

I'm sorry, but it is a complex question for a quick answer.

Answer 5

A queen sized quilt measures 84" x 92". To make a quilt of any size, start with the design of the top. A simple starting pattern is Log Cabin, which takes strips of cloth added in layers around a central block. Based on the size of block you make, you will need to calculate how many blocks you need to make. After making the blocks, you sew the blocks together to make the quilt top. If you want to stitch a binding or border on the quilt top, add it here. Then you lay the sewn quilt top on top of a batting of your choice on top of backing (usually solid colored fabric, may need to sew two sections together side by side to get the width you need). You want the quilt top to be the smallest in area, with the batting and the backing slightly larger. Baste or pin through all three layers then decide on the quilting pattern you wish to use. You will need to quilt at a minimum every 6-8" in all directions, so if you plan on quilting the interior and the borders of your blocks you'll be set. Once the quilting is done, finish the edges either with binding or turning either the top or the backing over the rest of the layers and you have your quilt!

Answer 6

Technically, you cannot, as a quilt is a layered fabric/stuffing cover that is stitched decoratively. You can however, knit an afghan or blanket; sew a quilt; or knit fabric to sew a quilt with. Your local craft store or library will have books available that can teach you any of these.

Answer 7

I just launched a new quilting site called FaveQuilts, and I'm in the process of posting a series of tutorials on making a quilt for beginners. Here's the first post that I just put up this morning:

I'll explain the basics:

To make a basic patchwork quilt, you will pick out some fabrics that go well together. Decide what size quilt you want and calculate the amount of fabric you will need to create that size. You will also need to buy an equal amount of batting and an equal amount of fabric for the back of the quilt.

Cut all of your top fabrics into equally sized squares. Then lay out the squares in a pattern that pleases you. Then you will need to sew all the squares together. It's best to use 1/4" seam and sew an entire row of squares together first. Then you will sew all the rows together. This creates your quilt top.

Now layer your backing fabric, your batting, and your quilt top and pin them all together in various places throughout the quilt so that they will stay together while you actually quilt them. Once you have done this, you begin sewing across the quilt through all 3 layers so that they are stitched together. An easy stitch pattern to start with would be parallel lines across the quilt

Once you have done this, you will need to bind the quilt to finish it off.