For someone only starting out in quilting, planning a quilt pattern appears like one of the hardest things you could ask them to do.
The good news for those budding quilters is that it seems harder than it basically is, all you need is the know-how.
The Basics of Designing A Quilt
When you are designing a quilt for the very first time, the easiest way to do this is by planning a block. A block is a square section of quilt that holds the pattern. The idea here is that you make numerous the same blocks and then stitch them together to form the pattern.
Just be sure to work out how big your quilt must be and then calculate how many blocks you will need to make the quilt sufficiently big.
When you are ready to start working on a design there are two techniques that folk ordinarily use, these are graph paper or software.
Graph Paper
This is the most typical way that folk design quilt patterns. You can get graph paper ruled in all different sizes.
On the graph paper, draw a square that represents the whole block, If at all possible try and make the square a ratio of the size of the block ie 3:1 or 2:1. This will help you enormously when it comes to measuring and cutting up the material for the pattern.
Then begin working out your pattern inside the drawn square. Its quickest to divide the squares into smaller shapes such as squares and triangles. When you've worked on a couple of quilts you can then move on to something more complicated like a rose quilt design.
Quilt Design Software
More lately, quilters have been turning to computer software to help them with planning their patterns.
This program acts as virtual graph paper, letting you draw shapes, divide and resize your square on a whim. It does also help with importing custom shapes and photos to add into your design.
There is a significant variation in the capabilities of different bits of software so be certain to do your homework!
Hopefully this has helped you learn a little more about the way to design a quilt and has motivated you to give it a go yourself!
The good news for those budding quilters is that it seems harder than it basically is, all you need is the know-how.
The Basics of Designing A Quilt
When you are designing a quilt for the very first time, the easiest way to do this is by planning a block. A block is a square section of quilt that holds the pattern. The idea here is that you make numerous the same blocks and then stitch them together to form the pattern.
Just be sure to work out how big your quilt must be and then calculate how many blocks you will need to make the quilt sufficiently big.
When you are ready to start working on a design there are two techniques that folk ordinarily use, these are graph paper or software.
Graph Paper
This is the most typical way that folk design quilt patterns. You can get graph paper ruled in all different sizes.
On the graph paper, draw a square that represents the whole block, If at all possible try and make the square a ratio of the size of the block ie 3:1 or 2:1. This will help you enormously when it comes to measuring and cutting up the material for the pattern.
Then begin working out your pattern inside the drawn square. Its quickest to divide the squares into smaller shapes such as squares and triangles. When you've worked on a couple of quilts you can then move on to something more complicated like a rose quilt design.
Quilt Design Software
More lately, quilters have been turning to computer software to help them with planning their patterns.
This program acts as virtual graph paper, letting you draw shapes, divide and resize your square on a whim. It does also help with importing custom shapes and photos to add into your design.
There is a significant variation in the capabilities of different bits of software so be certain to do your homework!
Hopefully this has helped you learn a little more about the way to design a quilt and has motivated you to give it a go yourself!
About the Author:
Interested in more rose quilt design concepts? Then head on over to Jane Green's how to make a patchwork quilt site now!