Need Quilt Ideas? 5 Places to Find Inspiration

Never be starved for quilt ideas again. You can find quilt ideas everywhere you look. The following are my favorite places:

1. Blogs

One thing great about the internet is that there are a lot of quilting blogs. Most of them belong to a group of similar bloggers so that if you find one you like you will be able to find another one. You can either follow these through your blog reader or subscribe through email.

2. Magazines

Yes, quilting magazines. I remember seeing one pattern on the cover of a magazine and liked it so much I made it at home. It was a simple pattern. I made the blocks bigger and changed the colors, but kept the same look.

You do not need to reproduce a pattern exactly. You can use it as inspiration.

And there are other magazines out there too. You may want to take your cue from apparel sewing. What is "in" right now? How are fabrics being combined? Try that with your next quilt or for the fashionista in your family.

3. Floors

Next time you're in a building, look down. Tile floors usually have geometric designs that can easily translate into a quilt pattern. This is where having a camera phone comes in handy. When I see an interesting tile floor, I take a picture of it.

Same goes for carpets. If I find a color combination that works but I never would put together, I take a picture of it and think about using the combination in my next quilt.

By the way, looking up works, too. Older buildings have beautiful ceilings. It might spark something.

4. Art Museums

Don't you go there to get inspired? Check with the museum regarding their policy concerning picture taking, taking notes and/or sketching. My local museum only allows writing in pencil in the gallery except for special sketching sessions. That's fine. Just ask.

Something might catch your eye - the color, the composition or even quotes. Jot down whatever strikes you as being interesting and remember that you are an artist. Check on line and in person. Feed your creativity!

5. Antique Quilts

Get quilt ideas from old quilts. These can be from thrift stores, actual quilt museums or my personal favorite place - ebay. Seeing these pieces of history might spark something in your mind for your own quilt.

So those are some places where you can find inspiration when you're starving. Be encouraged, quilt ideas are everywhere. You just need to look around.

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