Machine Quilting Designs
Quilting, like painting, is a wonderful art. It is similar to painting in the sense that paints and brushes are replaced by threads and needles, paper and canvas by fabrics. Quilts were traditionally made by hand, but now with the advent of sewing quilting machines, many prefer to use machines. This is because machines make quilting work easier, faster and, not to mention, a lot neater. You have the option of using an ordinary sewing machine that has quilting capabilities or you can use a machine that is specifically designed for quilting.
Small patches of different fabrics are used to make quilts, though you can use the same fabric as well. It's really interesting and can be likened to working on a jig saw puzzle. Only difference is, in a quilt you need to stitch up the entire thing. Quilting as a craft has been around many years. Some quilts are passed down for generations, and there are many happy memories associated with these quilts.
If you're a beginner and you're interested in quilting, you can start off by using two or more different fabrics. Basically, you should start collecting leftover fabrics or materials that has remained from previous stitching. Once you've collected these, you can then start by sewing all of these together. You should be able to use the sewing machine quite adeptly. It's advisable that you practice using the sewing machine, as much as you can, as handling the machine while quilting is no easy task. You could also create designs of the quilt. Start with simple, basic designs, and then once you have enough experience, you can move to more complex designs. The Internet has a number of sites where you'll be able to get some free quilting designs. If these seem too complicated, you can just get some ideas and create your own unique designs.
Quilt designs need creativity, so make sure you gear up all your creativity while you're quilting. You can create various designs on a quilt; they could be floral designs, geometrical patterns, landscapes, plaids, etc. Basically, the choices are so many that you can choose whatever design you think you could work with. If you're new to quilting or quilting designs, you can try out mini or miniature quilts with easy designs. There's no hard and fast rule that it has to be a large quilt. Once you gain experience, you can move to larger quilts. It's basically up to you, and what you are comfortable with.
Once you decide on a design, the next step is to draw it on a fabric and cut it out. Place these cut out designs on the quilt in the way that you want it. Mark them using pins on the quilt, or you could also run a needle (without a thread) around the designs. This creates an impression of dotted marks, which will then make the quilting process much easier.
You can choose from an extensive range of colors to make your quilt. Generally a single color is not used for a quilt. Multiple colors make the quilt more attractive and unique. Choosing colors may seem simple, but its important that you choose the colors after giving them careful consideration. Think of the colors of your bedroom and what would blend in. You can also think of cool and soothing color tones. For a guest room, brighter colors will work great, so your guests can enjoy your handiwork.
People generally design a quilt on a certain theme. Quilting the theme is the toughest part though. The designs have to fit into the main theme that you have chosen. For example, if you're making a quilt for a baby, you can use common things that are attractive to babies such as toys, animals, alphabets, etc. Also, since it's a baby, choose the colors wisely. Don't select dark colors, but go for soft baby colors such as light pink, light blue, or light yellow.
Karen Lincoln ~ CrissCrossCrafts
Article provided by articlesbase.com
Teach Yourself to Rotary-cut
Click on product link or image for more info and current price
Whether you’re an experienced or a new quilter, you’ll want to keep this valuable guide on hand. Learn to cut your quilt pieces with precision and speed using the essential technique of rotary-cutting. Clear instructions, helpful step-by-step photos, and a beautiful collection of rotary-cut quilts are sure to inspire you. Starting with basic strips and squares, and progressing to triangles, using templates, and the more advanced techniques of fussy cutting and squaring up blocks, this collection of timeless projects contains all the information you need to get started. Projects include: * Feed-Sack Patches * Hole in the Wall * Round the Twist * 25 in 25 * Bow Tie * Pinwheel Panache * Twist and Shout * Independence * Tipsy Trees * Building Blocks (3 pillows) * Scrappy Maple Leaves * Heading North * Streaks of Lightning * Snow Stars * Jane’s Kaleidoscope * Town Square Picnic * Slice and Dice
See More Rotary-cut Quilting Books Options
The Quilting Zone - Machine Quilting Designs
Log Cabin Quilts Unlimited:
The Ultimate Creative Guide to the Most Popular and Versatile Pattern
Click on product link or image for more info and current price
Quilters can explore the creative possibilities of the most popular and adaptable patchwork pattern. Log cabin is the quintessential quilt block, at its most basic strips sewn in order around a square center. Generations of quilters have been fascinated with the limitless variations possible by changing the central shape, the widths of the strips, the arrangement of blocks, and the interplay of lights and darks. Log Cabin Quilts Unlimited provides everything a quilter needs to design and create an original log cabin quilt: options for block construction, 18 block styles with many variations, setting options, photographs of outstanding quilts from primitive to contemporary looks, and a workbook with full-page diagrams. This is the ultimate guide to the ultimate quilt block. Patricia Cox is the former director of the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska and the author of American Quilt Classics. Maggi McCormick Gordon's previous books include The Ultimate Quilting Book and 1000 Great Quilt Blocks.
See More Log Cabin Quilting Books Options
The Quilting Zone - Machine Quilting Designs
Hawaiian Quilting: Instructions and Full-Size Patterns for 20 Blocks
Click on product link or image for more info and current price
Hawaiian Quilting - Instructions and Full-Size patterns for 20 blocks is a very user friendly reference book for those wishing to commence their journey into Hawaiian quilting. It includes detailed instructions, 20 full-size quilting blocks (each 18" square) for creating exotic floral motifs: orchid, waterlily, hibiscus, and 17 others. Author Elizabeth Root takes her time to bring you up to date with interesting background about the origins and history of this fascinating art form. For those who have always found it quite difficult to understand the instructions for folding your pattern paper into eight, Roots's instructions are so straight forward and easy to understand you'll wish you'd come across this publication much sooner.The general instructions clearly outline the steps for creating a Hawaiian quilt, specifically - cutting the pattern, laying and tacking the pattern to the background, and appliqueing the design. Consideration has also been given to the presentation of the 20 patterns. Each pattern is on its own page, with a blank page behind it so there is no chance of chasing the incorrect line when tracing.
See More Hawaiian Quilting Books Options
The Quilting Zone - Machine Quilting Designs
Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match
Click on product link or image for more info and current price
Modern Japanese quilting blends Eastern and Western techniques to create quilts of extraordinary style and beauty. Using designs borrowed from a rich decorative arts heritage, and often incorporating traditional kimono fabrics, Japanese quilters have developed a distinctive style based on unusual motifs and striking color combinations. With Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match, any quilter can create exquisite and unique works of patchwork art in the Japanese tradition.
The book presents more than 125 different block patterns, each with complete instructions and a color photograph, representing a variety of pattern sources: kamon (family crests), hakone yosegi (parquetry) and traditional textiles, such as kasuri weave. Each 9-inch block includes a full cutting guide and fabric palette; suggestions for use, either mixing and matching or adapting to an all-over design; and icons indicating techniques and skill level. The blocks on each spread are related in design and technique.
In addition to the Block Directory, Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match features an Inspiration Gallery, showcasing examples of finished quilts from leading quilters. Using these examples, author Susan Briscoe explores such topics as color ideas from traditional Japanese textiles and quilts, motifs, and recommendations for combining fabric patterns and block designs. An extensive section on technique, as well as several pages about the fabrics themselves and a listing of suppliers and organizations make this volume as practical and informative as it is beautiful.
See More Japanese Quilting Books Options
The Quilting Zone - Machine Quilting Designs
Sew Easy Rag Quilting
Click on product link or image for more info and current price
Rag Quilting is sweeping through the quilting world. And with good reason. It's fun, fast and fabulous! There is no batting, no binding, and often, no quilting. When the quilt top is finished, the whole quilt is complete. Results are satisfying for quilters of all skill levels. Easy enough for beginners, this book includes twelve projects based on five different designs: Simplicity, Allegiance, Cottage Row, Honeycomb and Flamingo Flurry, which is featured on the cover.
See More Rag Quilting Books Options
The Quilting Zone - Machine Quilting Designs
easyfuncandlebiz.com ocnsignal.com walking101.com
wicksworks.com wordwooze.net