Quilt Design Tips

Ever wanted to learn about quilt design, but thought it was either too difficult? Good news. Chances are that you can design quilts using what you have at home. Think I'm kidding? Let's check out three ways of desiging your own quilts.

1. Graph Paper

Yes. Graph paper. Please don't have flashbacks to elementary school math class. Plain ole graph paper is excellent for drafting patterns graph paper is excellent for drafting patterns , especially if you're going simple with just squares and triangles.

The most important thing to remember is the scale. I personally use the scale of one square for one inch. Along with crayons, it's a nice relaxing way to work out some quilt designs to see if they will really work together.

If you plan to use fabric that feature patterns, you can still use this method. Usually the pattern will "read" as a certain color. That's the color you use on the graph paper. Because you are using simple shapes, it will be easy to see what works and what doesn't.

2. Mini Quilts

Still not comfortable with graph paper? Break out the fabric. This is especially helpful because you get a mini quilt in the process.

Making a mini quilt of your project will help take the intimidation factor down with any new techniques and fabric choices, also.

This method best works when you've got a strip-quilting pattern. If you have to cut all the strips at 2.5 inches, simply cut them at 1.5 inches and follow the directions.

By the time you make the big quilt, you've got all the patterns and the colors worked out without wasting a lot of fabric. And you've got a cute decoration for the package if you're giving the quilt away.

Quilt Design Software

And then there is the design software. There are many pros to using this method. You get to play with the colors and the dimensions of your quilt with a click of a button. Some programs even have fabric libraries you can download and use. Your program may even calculate the exact amount of fabric you need.

There are also cons to using a computer program. Programs can be expensive. There could be a learning curve if you are not comfortable with computers. And have you seen patterns made with those programs? They're like cut out 100 2.5 inch squares when you could easily use strip quilting to cut down on the time.

Still. Honestly, this type of software is on my Christmas list...

So, there you have it - three ways to satisfy those quilt design urgings. Try it. The next time you give a quilt as a gift you can be proud in knowing that you made it from the design all the way through quilting.

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