Why not design your own quilt top? You can do it!
I’ve shared several block designs over the past couple of
weeks, and the easy way to create them! Maybe you are a tad like me and have
several favorite block designs, and not so favorite others. How do you mix and match, creating your own design rather than follow a quilt top pattern?
I haven’t yet figured out the
Electric Quilt (EQ-7) software
program, even with all the video tutorials I’ve downloaded from its site or YouTube! It’s a bit
complicated. There is certainly a learning curve that requires some quiet
time and focused concentration ~ neither of which I have right now. Hopefully
by National Sewing Month 2015, I will have mastered all the whistles and bells
available and can share then!
Who knew? I decided to do a
goodsearch.com with the phrase “design
your own quilt” and found several sites of interest!
If you don’t have the EQ7 software, but you do have
unlimited bandwidth (which I don’t),
maybe
Quiltivate is the site for you! They say it’s a FREE online design
process that “When you're finished, you'll receive a custom quilt plan. Your
plan includes detailed fabric calculations and full-size images so you can get
straight to the sewing!” That sounds pretty darn cool!
I discovered another free online designer,
My Web Quilter, but
again, it’s going to take the bandwidth I don’t have. I did register so when I’m
in
Dallas ~
where bandwidth is not an issue ~ I’m ready to play!
For now, I’ll do it the old fashioned way!
I gather my supplies:
- #2 pencil
- assortment of colored pencils
- straight edge
- sheet(s) of ¼” squares graph paper
- clear scotch tape
- paper scissors
- big pink eraser
This is a great project for me to do while watching
television! Yes, I can multi-task!
Using the graph paper, I design quilt tops two different ways…
Using the whole
sheet(s):
Sometimes it takes tape, like scotch tape, when I have to
tape the 8.5” x 11” pages together to make it large enough when each square of
the paper represents 1 inch. Keep in mind, at this writing, the minimum size of
a Quilt of Valor is 55” x 65” (recommended size is 60” x 80” and maximum size
is 72” x 90”) – so one sheet at 1” per square won’t be large enough! I personally create QOV’s around 60” x 70” ~ a nice couch or recliner lounging
quilt size.
NOTE: Using a 1” square scale is great when working with 9”
blocks!
Sometimes I designate the squares of the graph paper to be
2” per square, if I know all the blocks I’m going to use will be finished with an
even number, like a 12” block.
Using pieces of a
puzzle:
What if I wanted to mix 12” and 9” finished blocks? What do
I need to do? What do I need to add here & there to make it work out? This
is when I have to take a bit more time, but it’s worth the extra effort to
“see” the whole picture before making the first cut!
NOTE: Using this method, I always use 1 square equals 1” !!!
I’ll draw out the block I like in the correct size, color it
in, then repeat the process scattered about the graph paper, not worrying about
placement at this time! This process may take a couple sheets of graph paper.
Once I’ve created all the blocks I want to incorporate
within the quilt top, I will take paper
scissors and cut out the individual blocks. It’s then time to take a new piece
of graph paper and draw the quilt’s outside diameter. I then start placing the
pieces around until I like what I see.
The spaces between different sized blocks (for example, putting
a 9” up against a 12”) are prefect places to add sashing (a narrow strip of fabric)
around the smaller blocks. Using the graph “paper doll” method, you’ll know
exactly the size you’ll need!
Whether you use a software program, the online sites, or the old fashion way, I hope you’ll try designing your own quilt top!
