Are you read for the second instalment of our six part series, where we will make a beautiful cot quilt from start to finish?? Last week we looked at Making a Cot Quilt, Part 1 - Fabric Selection and Quilting Tools. Following on from this, today we will look at Working with Quilting Patterns.
When looking for a quilting pattern, there are a lot of places you can turn to for inspiration but with so many options it can be quite overwhelming. Patterns can be found in books, magazines and online. On my bookshelf, I have a couple of quilting books including Handmade Beginnings by Anna-Marie Horner (link in side bar), Hand Quilted with Love by Sarah Fielke and 500 Quilt Blocks by Goldsworthy and Green. They are full of valuable information and tips, and also provide the reader with many online links for further patterns and tutorials. I also have a subscription to the Australian Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, which is a great source of inspiration. It provides numerous free quilting patterns along with images of completed projects from other readers. As far as online inspiration goes, CraftLovers and FreeQuiltPatterns are great resources for patterns, tutorials and advice.
Now, most patterns will give you a list of fabric requirements as well as directions for cutting the fabric, assembling the pieces and piecing it all together. Some patterns will also provide a suggested experience level such as Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced. We are going to start with something simple (i.e Beginner level) but you can work your way up as you get more confidence. My biggest tip though is to make sure you read the pattern all of the way through BEFORE you start cutting......this will help you to get the picture of the quilt!
The other option you have, is to design your own quilt. This is quite rewarding and fun, but there are a couple of things to remember:
- keep the design to your experience level!
- keep in mind the basic rule of quilting = always use a 1/4" seam allowance.
***This means that you need to add a 1/4" to all four sides of each shape you intend to use in your quilt. For example, if you want a finished block which is made from 4 x 2" squares, you need to cut 4 x 2.5" squares and sew with a 1/4 seam in order to get a block of the correct dimensions.
- have fun!!
Now for the cot quilt that we are going to make. We have two options. Option 1 is much simpler than the Option 2, but I will let you decide which one we make!!
Option 1 - The Strip Quilt
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| Image Courtesy of http://hollyandolive.blogspot.com.au |
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| Image Courtesy of http://www.meamomblog.com |
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| Image Courtesy of http://www.redpepperquilts.com |
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| Quilt available on www.etsy.com/ButtonsandBooties |
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| Image Courtesy of http://lellaboutique.blogspot.com.ar/ |
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Phoebe
xo
This post is a part 2 of a 6-part series, see below for other posts in this series.
Let's Make a Cot Quilt - Part 1, Fabric Selection & Quilting Tools
Let's Make a Cot Quilt - Part 3, Strip Quilt Tutorial
Let's Make a Cot Quilt - Part 4, Piecing the Strip Quilt
Let's Make a Cot Quilt - Part 5. Introduction to Machine Quilting
Let's Make a Cot Quilt - Part 6. Attaching the Binding
These quilts are beautiful. I really like the simple strip ones. Great info about getting everything organised and reading pattern through before you begin.
ReplyDeleteHard to choose..I love the Chevron look but I think the simple stripes give you a lot of options for the materials to use (plus it looks much easier for a beginner like me!) - I particularly love the Holly and Olive quilt. I'd love to see how to make a basic one first, and then maybe once I've mastered that I'll be ready for option 2 - that's just me though!!
ReplyDeleteHi Phoebe, great to see a blogger who lets the readers have a say! Great work! Thanks for your articles and for sharing your beautiful journey with us. xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like it is going to be the Strip Quilt! How exciting!
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