The blog with a lot of topics

Archive for the ‘Quilting’ Category

Current info about Quilting is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Quilting info available.

With the recent increased interest in quilting and other crafts, manufacturers are constantly searching for new products to make quilting easier for busy modern crafters. One of the innovations that has become a necessity is quilting templates. Usually made from sturdy clear acrylic, and designed to be used over and over again, templates make marking and cutting pieces for a quilt block a breeze.

Templates generally have seam line and other markings on them for the convenience of quilters. The best templates are laser cut to ensure exact precision for measurement. With quilting templates, a rotary cutter, and a mat, you can cut the pieces for numerous blocks at one time. Before templates and the use of rotary cutters, a quilter used paper patterns and cut block pieces with scissors, in much the same way that dressmakers cut patterns. For quilters who are often cutting small pieces for blocks, cutting in this manner meant precision in measuring was very difficult. In quilting, accuracy is crucial. One of the frustrations of quilting was making sure the pieces of the quilt block fit together, and with the old-fashioned style of cutting, it was a constant problem. But with templates all such worries are a thing of the past.

Quilting templates are available in every size and shape imaginable. Every geometric shape is represented, and you can buy a set of basic templates for squares and circles and rectangles so you always have them on hand. You can also buy sets of templates for a specific quilt block. For instance, if your daughter is getting married and you want to make her a Double Wedding Ring quilt, you can buy a set of templates for that pattern. Or perhaps your best friend is having her first baby, a son. You want to make a quilt for him, and so you choose a set of templates for a square that looks like an airplane. The options are truly unlimited.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Quilting story from informed sources.

Beginning quilters will want to start with simple shapes such as rectangles, squares and circles. The process is simple-lay your neatly ironed fabric on the rotary mat, place the acrylic template atop it, hold it firmly and use the rotary cutter to trim around the edges. Once you get the hang of it, you can cut several layers of fabric at once. Using templates, you can spend an hour or two cutting pieces for quilt blocks, and get to the actual sewing and quilting so much faster.

Quilters may also want to take the time to browse the web or go to the library or local bookstore for books. Many quilting sites and books contain useful information about using templates, with tips and techniques listed that will make the process even easier. The quilting sites contain are often also laden with photos showing the use of templates in a step-by-step manner, which can be very helpful. Although the process of using templates is simple, there are always trade secrets that can make it even easier.

Investigate the use of templates in quilting today, and you’ll find renewed pleasure in your craft.

About the Author
Have you downloaded Anders’ latest information for adsense publishers yet? Download these new fresh sites from this all new website, called Adsense Ready Sites

So what is Quilting really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about Quilting–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

The boom in quilting as a hobby and craft has caused manufacturers to produce a huge variety of thread. Yet you’ll find there is such a wide selection of thread that choosing the correct thread for your quilting project can leave you scratching your head in puzzlement. You’ll find an array of choices, whether you shop at a brick and mortar store on the internet. This article will shed some light on the confusing selection of thread for quilting.

Thread for quilting falls broadly into two categories- sewing thread and thread for embellishing. Let’s discuss sewing thread first, as it is the most commonly used, especially for quilting projects. Sewing thread can be purchased in several different weights and fibers. Weights of thread can range from 28 to 60. Thread for quilting needs to be strong, and to stand the test of time, so generally you will want to choose a thread in the range of a 40 weight. Thread in the 28 weight range is most commonly used for embellishment, while 50 weight would be used for piecing. You can easily find the weight of the thread you are considering by reading the label. You may see a number like this: 40/2. The first number is the weight of the thread, the second the number of plies. In this example, the thread is a 40 weight of two plies.

Thread for quilting is most often made from cotton, rayon, polyester, metallic or plastic. The metallic and plastic thread will be used for embellishments and specialty stitches only. Cotton thread is common, and often it is mercerized. This is a process where the fiber has been made to swell and straighten out repeatedly, which removes any tendency towards fuzziness, and makes for a very high luster thread. Cotton thread is available in 30 to 60 weight.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Quilting. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Rayon thread is also highly lustrous, and polyester thread has a colorfast, non-shrinkable finish. The metallic thread choices are going to be a bit more difficult to sew with and are not for beginners, though they make for stunningly beautiful finished quilting projects. Some brands that quilters might want to look for include the old favorite Coats and Clark, Guterman, which is a popular alternative known for its strength and ease of use (try it for hand quilting), Madeira rayon thread, which is strong enough to use to embroider on denim or leather, and Mettler, which comes in several different fibers.

It is often not a good idea to attempt to use up old sewing thread, which tends to degenerate on the spool. Unreel a bit and pull on it. If the thread snaps, it will also snap when you put it in your sewing machine. With the wide variety of quilting thread, and its relatively low cost, there’s no reason not to just buy new thread when you need a different color. You’ll save a fortune in frustration alone.

Some manufacturers also produce special threads for embellishing, and you can find these at your local quilting store. If you like to quilt by hand, you can use embroidery floss, available in a multitude of color and fiber. Learning about the different kinds of thread can enhance your love of the craft of quilting.

Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about Quilting. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what’s important.

About the Author
Have you visited Anders’ latest site for adsense publishers? Download new fresh sites in this all new site, called Adsense Ready Websites

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Quilting? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about Quilting.

The process of making a quilt involves several basic tasks: measuring, cutting, marking and stitching. Each step has special tools and or techniques that can save time and make the project you choose easier to complete.

The first step is to select a quilt design or pattern, and your fabric. If you are a beginner, choose a simple design to begin with. Try to envision you finished quilt. What color do you want it to be? Do you want to incorporate different prints with solids? Prints may range from plaids to florals and even stripes. Solid fabrics come in just about every color imaginable. Cotton fabric is generally the easiest fabric to work with. Do not be afraid to experiment. All fabrics should be pre-washed in mild detergent and warm water, dried and pressed.

Step two involves measuring and cutting. If you buy quality-cutting tools, use them only for sewing. This will keep them sharp and make your cuts precise while saving time too. Rotary cutters are available in different sizes. They allow you to cut smooth edges on multiple layers of fabric quickly and easily. Small cutters work well on curves: larger cutters are great for long straight lines and many layers of fabric. Cutting mats should be used with rotary cutters. A good clear ruler is also a valuable tool. Sewing scissors and shears are also necessary. Accuracy is important in quilting. Taking the time to cut accurately will ensure your quilt pieces fit together perfectly.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Quilting. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Marking tools should be tested before you use them. You want the marks to come out easily without damaging the material. Special quilter’s pencils are available with white or gray lead, and an eraser on the end. Other types include soapstone, which is made of pressed talc, and water-soluble, which is great for darker fabrics. Marks from both types may be removed with a damp cloth.

Step three involves stitching. Every quilt project should be layered and basted before the actual quilting is involved. Quilting pins should be used to hold pieces together. If you are hand basting there are special needles, with small round eyes, that are favored by quilter’s. Use a single strand of white cotton thread to baste. You may however, prefer to use curved, rustproof safety pins to make the basting process quicker and easier.

Pressing at each stage of the construction is also important. Use the tip of the iron and move in the direction of the grainlines. The general rule of quilting is to press each stitched seam before crossing it with another.

Quilting is the fourth step. Quilting holds the quilt top, batting, and backing together. It also adds texture and enhances the design. You may quilt by hand or by machine. Hand quilting is the traditional method; machine quilting takes less time and is more durable.

Binding is the final step in creating a quilt. Binding fabrics may either match or complement the other fabrics in the quilt. Binding also helps to square up your finished quilt.

About the Author
Have you visited Anders’ latest site for adsense publishers? Download new fresh sites in this all new site, called Adsense Ready Websites

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding Quilting. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about Quilting.

As a craft, quilting had its heydays in the good old days when it was done by hands. Quilts then would take months and sometimes years to finish, but it was all worth it. Today, modern quilting using machines can finish a project in less than a week.

However, there seems to be a trend today for people to work on their quilts by hand, especially beginners. Speed seems to be relegated in favor of the good old feeling in the quilt-making process by hand.

Techniques

The following are a few time-tested tips in quilting by hand. Most of them were handed down by mothers to their daughters and friends to friends.

Some other techniques were copied from neighbors and other ethnic and religious groups. On their own, these communities of people developed their own beautiful quilt-making traditions and styles.

Random tips

As every true-blue quilt-makers have learned, quilting by hand needs a quilting hoop (or frame), a box needles and threads, and a steady supply of patience.

Quilting hoops and the tandem of needles and threads are standard sewing equipments. (The patience is for use in the process that could sometimes take years to complete, depending on how much time was spent on it.)

After attaching the quilt into a hoop (or frame, if it is very large), beginners are advised to start in the middle and work through to the edges. If there is appliqué used, go first around the shapes to give them a puffed-up look and make them prominent.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on Quilting now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

Sew a little bit away from the line of material (about 2 millimeters) to accentuate the appliqué forms. Use small and even stitches. Never rush or you will have the unpleasant task of undoing sections that look sloppy.

For patchworks, start in the middle of the quilt and simply follow the lines of the squares.
An alternative would be to cross hatch sections or the whole quilt.

When cross-hatching, draw the lines first in soft-leaded pencils because it is difficult to keep them even at all times. Another alternative to cross-hatching or tracing shapes is stippling. This fills up entire areas and gives out a heavily-quilted texture and looks.

Mainly, this is for background filling, or even covering an entire quilt. Stippling is an organized pattern in sewing where the quilter makes smooth curves that do not meet or do a cross-over.

Materials

To keep the quilt top and the backing aligned, there is need for basting. If the two fabrics do not match up, the quilting process could be difficult, and the material could pucker up or curl.

Loosely-woven fabrics do not do well in quilting, while densely-woven fabrics and blends are difficult to work on. Go for medium-weave, middle-weight pure cotton fabrics (if possible) if you want uniform stitches, durability and relative ease in the quilting.

Threads to be used should be those for quilting. They are thicker and stronger than plain threads. For other design considerations, you can always choose what you think is best, especially if the project is simply a decorative quilt.

These are only some of the very few basics in quilting. All the other tips you will learn as you along in the happy and exhilarating process of sewing with your own hands a potential work of art.

About the Author
Have you visited Anders’ latest site for adsense publishers? Download new fresh sites in this all new site, called Adsense Ready Websites

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Quilting.

There is a reason why practices and customs stick like glue alongside the entire existence of this world. Truly these common practices, activities, and methods bring into the life the genuine ideals and identity of the people they represent. Well, apart from this symbolic significance the common ways of artistry and industry have been able to hang around because they are structured under systemic and meticulously organized standards, processes, and procedures. Let’s dig deeper and identify with the quilting story.

There are six important steps that enable a certain quilter to come up with a proud creation. The initial step involves pattern and fabric selection as well as batting. The next one demands for the measuring and cutting of the fabric so as to obtain the correct size of blocks that will fit the pattern. Next in line would be piecing the blocks together to come up with a completed top. This is accomplished via machine or hand sewing of the cut portions together.

Moving on, the fourth installment requires the making of a quilt sandwich by layering the quilt top via batting and backing. This is then followed by the actual quilting through all the layers of the quilt sandwich. The last step is performed in order to square up and trim the excess batting from the edges. The whole process is marked by the machine sewing of the binding to the front edges of the quilt and then hand stitching of that binding to the quilt backing. If there is an intention to hang the creation on a wall, a hanging sleeve should be and attached properly.

Although the quilting process can be relatively simple the craft itself can be quite complex especially if utilized by the hands of a genius. Designs and patterns can be enriched accordingly in order to serve the purpose elegant and elaborate decorations. The added effect and emphasis can be obtained through the use of threads that have been morphed into varying colors and contrast. Dominance is not only the effect brought about by quilting as it can also make a pattern disappear via nylon and polyester threads that are tagged as invisible. Quilters have the option of drawing a design guide before stitching or doing the activity freehand.

The best time to learn about Quilting is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Quilting experience while it’s still free.

A large percentage of quilt tops are created and patterned from numerous smaller patches of fabric called patchwork quilts. Emphasis is given on the pattern of individual blocks or pattern from the combination of these blocks. The usual whole cloth quilts utilize a single piece of fabric or material while giving the limelight to the complexity and elaboration of the quilting process. In order to bring out the majesty of whole cloth quilt designs, shiny fabrics such as sateen and polished chintz are commonly part of the creation.

In order to succeed in a very rewarding endeavor such as quilting, the maker must be aware of certain terms used. Piecing is defined as sewing small pieces of cloth in order to make a pattern known as blocks. These blocks are patched together to produce a quilt top. Layering is the act of placing the quilt top right side up on top of the batting and the backing which is normally right side out.

Binding involves strips of the fabric cut on the straight of the grain then sewn together to make a long strip that is perfect for the perimeter of the quilt.

If you’ve picked some pointers about Quilting that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won’t really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don’t use it.

About the Author
Have you visited Anders’ latest site for adsense publishers? Download new fresh sites in this all new site, called Adsense Ready Websites

After the quilt top had been finished, remove all the pins and other basting devices and iron out all the seams. It is now time for batting, one of the more important phases in quilting.

Batting materials

It is called by other names depending on the place where one comes from ? batting, padding, or wadding. Batting is the bulk or the heft of the entire quilt project. It is the middle section of the quilt sandwich.

Depending on the style and region, batting comes in different thicknesses, compositions and textures. There are also a great number of choices of batting materials from natural fibers (cotton and wool) to synthetics and man-made fabrics (polyester, rayon, etc).

Cotton

For small projects, cotton is the ideal batting material. It is also good for beginners because it is easy to work with and is natural. Cotton can achieve a more even look in your finished quilt.

Polyester

This is a lightweight and an inexpensive material to use. It adds puffiness in your quilt and packs well enough.

However, polyester fabrics tends to ?beard? (unraveling of the fabric’s thread and weave) more than the other natural fibers.

Wool

This is one of the most ideal materials for batting. Wool is quite warm, absorbs moisture, and is perfect for use in cool and damp climates. It is flat compared to other man-made or synthetic fibers, but feels good when used in quilts.

When washing and caring for your wool-filled quilt, be sure to read and follow instructions well. (Ask some expert if you do not know how.) Wool can easily warp and change the form of your quilt in ways you will not like.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Batting thickness

Ideally, a thin light batting is very good in quilts. The advantage is that it is easier to sew compared to heavier or thicker batting.

It is important to make small and even stitches in quilts. If the batting is thinner, it is much easier for the needle and the thread to go through.

If you intend your quilt for use in your bed, and consequently, needs it for the warmth, then choose a thicker batting. Experts suggest, however, that it would probably be much easier to tie it, rather than quilt it.

Batting size

One thing to remember is to have the quilt batting bigger than the quilt top, but smaller than the backing. This allows for any pull or in cases when the quilt had already been sewn up and edges had moved and do not measure up anymore. An overlap is your insurance for any mishaps.

Never worry about left-over batting materials from previous quilts. These can be combined with the others to make a mixed piece, especially for very large quilts.

Left-over strips can be laid out side by side and carefully tacked together employing some loose stitches.

These left-over strips of fabric should at least be a fourth in terms of size to the actual quilt it will be used for. Anything smaller would be too much work in terms of piecing them together to come up with the correct size.

It is not advisable, either, to overlap the batting because it can produce a double thickness more than you intend. Plus, it will be difficult to quilt.

Quilting should be a breeze to do.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: Free Google Traffic System and make sure to visit my bonus site!

When you think about Quilting, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Quilting are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Anyone who starts to take interest in quilting is commonly overwhelmed by the thought of collecting all the patterns he sets his eyes on. While this is okay, the first task of a beginning quilter is actually to gather all the necessary quilting tools.

Here is a list of the most basic quilting tools. Although some tools need to be purchased, others are just sitting in the house, or more appropriately in the sewing box.

Pins
These are necessary to keep fabrics together while quilting. There are many different kinds of pins. Some have glass heads, while others are ball-headed. The latter are more preferred by most quilters because they are more visible and are easier to hold. Pins that are sharp, fine, and long are recommended for quilting purposes.

Pin Cushion
It is used to hold and keep pins when not in use. Other quilters also use magnetic pin strips to pick up stray pins and collect pins that have been left lying on top of the quilt.

Most of this information comes straight from the Quilting pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

Needles
There are two types of quilting needles: hand quilting and machine quilting needles. Both kinds are stronger and sharper than the ordinary sewing needles since they need to pass through multiple layers of fabrics without the tendency of bending and breaking. Hand quilting needles, also called betweens, come in four sizes: 9, 10, 11, 12, with 9 as the biggest and 12 as the smallest. They also have smaller eyes and are thicker than other needles. Machine needles, meanwhile, need to be replaced every so often to keep making fine stitches and to prevent the needles from breaking.

Thimble
Worn when hand quilting, thimble cushions the finger that pushes the needle and works to prevent finger sore and needle pricks. It can be a little uncomfortable when first worn, but proves to be helpful in protecting the finger and controlling the needle. Thimbles are usually made of metal, although leather thimbles have become more popular nowadays. In fact, leather thimbles are recommended for novice quilters because they have a better grip on the needle.

Fabric Marker
An essential quilting tool, fabric marker is used to line out the fabric. Depending on the fabric, you can use any of these three markers: pencil, chalk, or fabric marker pen. Soft lead pencil is the most commonly used fabric marker as it is easily washed off and fades over time. Chalk is also a good alternative and is fairly easy to remove. However, it does not work well when making detailed markings and drawings. For this purpose, a fabric marker pen is best used. Like the other two, it can be easily washed out and fades after some time. Before using a fabric marker, it is best to first test it on a sample fabric. Mark a small piece from the fabric you are using and wash. See how the fabric reacts to the marker.

Rotary Cutter
A circular blade, rotary cutter is used to cut and trim fabrics with precision and accuracy, which makes it very useful in cutting identical strips. Because of its strength and sharpness, it can work with fabrics of different texture and thickness and can glide through fabrics in multiple layers. A rotary cutter is often used with other quilting tools such as rotary board or mat and transparent plastic ruler. For other cutting purposes, scissors are used in place of rotary cutter.

Now you can be a confident expert on Quilting. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Quilting.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: Free Google Traffic System and make sure to visit my bonus site!

Embroidery is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, much the same as quilting and knitting and other hand crafts. Many crafters who enjoy quilting also end up enjoying embroidery and might feel as if they have torn loyalties-which craft to pursue in the small amount of time available for hobbies? The good news is that quilting and embroidery make excellent companions. Crafters who love quilting but are attracted to the depth and color that embroidery stitches offer can follow both their loves by combining the two crafts.

A quilt embellished with embroidered stitches is one of the most beautiful hand-crafted creations imaginable. Take a look at some of the “crazy quilts” from the Victorian era. These quilts are most often made of silk, often from leftover men’s ties or other bits of fabric, and were pieced together in a random manner (hence the name) and then heavily embellished with embroidery. Even if your interest in quilting slants more toward traditional quilts, it’s worth taking a look at these crazy quilts to get ideas for using embroidery to embellish your quilts. Crazy quilts use embroidery extensively, in many cases covering nearly every bit of the quilt’s surface, but you can use touches of embroidery here and there on your quilts or quilted clothing to give it depth and texture.

Embroidery stitches are easy to learn, and you may even know some already. Browse through sites on the internet, and you’ll find many with clear photos or pictures of embroidery stitches. Some common embroidery stitches you might want to use include blanket and chain stitch for outlining, and feather, herringbone, lazy daisy, straight and cross stitches for decorative touches.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

Many quilters enjoy doing appliqué as part of their quilting techniques, and embroidery is a natural partner to appliqué. The process of appliqué involves layering one fabric atop another, as opposed to sewing pieces of fabric together, and embroidery stitches such as the blanket stitch can be used to decorate the edges of the appliquéd piece. Or perhaps you may want to use embroidery on the background fabric, to emphasize the appliquéd pieces. The manufacturers of embroidery floss have kept pace with developments in the world of crafting, and now offer floss in an array of fibers, including perle cotton, rayon, silk and even linen and hemp. They also feature brilliant colors, with some even offering hand-dyed and variegated flosses.

Many quilters prefer to do their quilting by machine, instead of hand, and these same quilters may also prefer to do their embroidery by machine. With the huge variety of incredibly powerful sewing machines on the market, this is a snap. Many sewing machines have embroidery functions with extensive lists of stitches, which are as easy to accomplish as flipping a switch on the machine. As with embroidery floss, there are many specialty threads available for machine embroidery.

Look into adding embroidery to your quilting and open up a whole new world of quilting and crafting pleasure to your life.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: Free Google Traffic System and make sure to visit my bonus site!

This article explains a few things about Quilting, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.

Quilting fabrics decide the aesthetic appeal of the quilt, so choosing which to use is perhaps one of the most crucial decisions you have to make when quilting. If you fail to form a quilt with a cohesive color palette, all your stitching skills are laid to waste. It is a good thing that different kinds of fabrics today provide many options, but how do you exactly know which fabric is best for your quilting project? Here are the things to look out for:

1. Fabric type. There are many different fabrics you can use for your quilt: velvet, wool, leather, denim, silk, among many others. But although you can use nearly any kind of fabric, 100% cotton fabric is still the most preferred material for quilt. One, it is easy to press and quilt. Second, it is less likely to fray. And third, it maintains its color. Of course, the type of fabric to use still depends on the pattern you have in mind, so don’t feel limited with your fabric choices.

2. Thread count. It refers to the number of threads per square inch and is used to indicate how fine a fabric is. A thread count that is anywhere between 68 to 78 is a good indication that a fabric can last and is less likely to shrink. To know if a fabric has an ideal thread count, check the threads. If the threads look intact and don’t easily pull apart, you are holding a good choice.

The more authentic information about Quilting you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Quilting expert. Read on for even more Quilting facts that you can share.

3. Print. There are three things you need to remember when choosing prints. One, you should have a variety of small, medium, and large prints in your fabrics to lend texture and dimension to your quilt. Fabrics with almost the same size of prints tend to look boring and flat if pieced together. On the contrary, a range of sizes gives depth and movement to the quilt. Second, check that the print is on the grain. A print that is not aligned with the grain has the possibility of creating a distorted and crooked design. Finally, examine pattern consistency and make sure that the entire fabric is printed. If there seems to be empty spaces where prints should have been, you may not be able to use some parts of the fabric.

4. Color. The most important component of a quilting fabric is the color. A coherent and dynamic color scheme gives the quilt an interesting visual appeal, so it is very important to be careful with the color combination. To come up with a coherent color combination, you have to choose a main fabric that has many different colors. Then, select fabrics with colors pulled out from the main fabric. To avoid dullness, pick the quilting fabrics within the range of light, medium, and dark hues.

These are the color values and are important in balancing the overall color of the quilt. Two tips when buying a fabric: make sure the color doesn’t fade in some parts; choose the fabric whose color doesn’t come off on the hands when rubbed.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Quilting.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: Free Google Traffic System and make sure to visit my bonus site!

Quilting has enjoyed an incredible upsurge in popularity over the last couple of decades. This is a boon for the quilting enthusiast, because it has resulted in a huge number of patterns that are now available. Even a brief look around the internet or your local bookstore will prove to you that it’s a confusing world when it comes to buying a quilting pattern. The new quilter may well be wondering what kind of quilting pattern is best suited for her needs.

It’s interesting to ponder that, historically, our ancestors probably didn’t have as much use for the quilting pattern as we do. In Colonial and pioneer days, when quilting originated, quilts had a utilitarian function. Women pieced together quilt blocks from whatever scraps of clothing they could find, arranging the bits and pieces of cloth into a pleasing pattern. They shared ideas for their various patterns at quilting bees and other social gatherings. As so often happens, the pattern that started as a necessity is now a tradition. Blocks like Log Cabin and Lone Star and Bridal Wreath have been handed down for generations. At first, simple directions would have been scrawled on a scrap of paper, if at all-our ancestors might even have scoffed at the idea of following a pattern. Quilting fell out of favor for awhile, and any patterns that did exist would have been relegated to the attic.

But once quilting came into vogue again, a new generation discovered it and the new quilters were hungry for patterns. While many art and adventurous quilters take off on their own and refuse to follow a pattern, the contemporary quilter is more likely to want some directions. Thus many quilters search endlessly for the proper pattern.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on Quilting now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

The good news is that there are options aplenty. Free patterns abound on the internet, as do patterns for purchase. Individual patterns are available for various quilt blocks. If you know what quilt you want to make, it can be a good idea to purchase one of these, as it will have detailed directions on every aspect of the specific block. You’ll find step-by-step directions that cover every aspect of the pattern for your quilt. The pattern may also give you tips and techniques you wouldn’t otherwise know.

Another excellent source for patterns is to visit your library or the bookstore and peruse the quilting section, where you’ll see pattern book after pattern book. These books can be especially valuable if you haven’t yet decided on a certain quilt pattern. But be forewarned-browsing quilting books and viewing all the beautiful patterns can be quite addictive! These books will often also feature general directions for each pattern, with more instruction on quilting. If you already know the basics of quilting, spending the lesser amount of money for an individual pattern might be your best bet.

Don’t let the world of quilt patterns overwhelm you-with a little research, its easy to find the perfect pattern for your quilting needs, and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, owner of this site as well: Wealth Upgrade Club (click to claim your FREE membership)!