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I have seen some impressive patchwork quilts in my time. Whether it’s shapes and simple outlines made from square patches or even more complicated patterns done with a hexagonal pattern, they have been as individual and as inspiring as the individuals who created them.

However, after attending {a quilting} exhibition in my home city I have massively had my eyes opened to the possibilities and complexities of designs of folks truly push themselves to their limit.

I have listed some of my favourite patterns that I saw while I was there. Thanks to not being allowed to take photographs at the exhibition, you may have to do a Google search for some pictures of these designs.

Mosaic Pattern

Triangles and trapezoids is the simplest way to explain this monster. This design appears to be a massive mosaic of interlocking shapes, giving off a dynamic and decorative aura. When having a look at it closer, the pattern was deceptively simple, the mosaics were stitched on to big squares, which were then stitched together to give a complex mosaic pattern.

While the idea was basic, the result was impressive!

Stars Quilt

Another quilt that grabbed my attention was a superb design that used interlocking stars as the pattern. These were not an easy 5 or 6 pointed star, the stars had a zig zag edge, which was then used to fasten into and sew along with other stars.

The pattern encompassed a great combination of black, white and yellow stars that proved to be greatly effective at catching people’s interest.

Circle Shaped Quilt

The final, and most intricate pattern that caught my eye was a circular quilt. The catch was this was a patchwork quilt using squares. The quilter had made the peak of the square a little smaller than the bottom and then sewn all the squares with the top pointing to the middle.

Once stitched together, this naturally formed the outer edge into a circle shape.

So if you’ve made a number of patchwork quilts and you think you are ready to give a more challenging pattern a try, you might need to consider one of the patterns listed above!

Good luck and happy quilting!

For heaps more clever ideas for how to make a patchwork quilt, visit Jane Greens patchwork quilt site right now!

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When it comes to patchwork quilts, there are numerous different patterns up for consideration. And while each design has its own look and feel, they vary greatly in complication and outcome.

During the years I’ve picked up several the most popular pattern types for you to think about, so you can pick which one is best for you.

Traditional Square

This is the most popular of the different types of quilts. There aren’t any hard rules when it comes to this type of pattern. The only thing that you should be aware of – is that you don’t have similar colors too close together.

This can be checked by laying out two repeats of the pattern before starting. This will ensure that no similar colours get put next to one another when the pattern repeats.

Squares in an Image

The 2nd type is using the same square pattern with a careful mixture of colours and layout to make an image. You may have something such as white squares, mixed with carefully organized purple squares to make a love heart or flower shape.

As you can imagine, this one is a bit more complex and will require you to chop out and arrange all the squares prior to starting just to make certain you have enough squares and you sew them together in the proper order.

Hexagon

With a hexagon having six sides, this is one of the more complex patterns for a patchwork quilt. These stack very differently from the traditional square pattern and will certainly require a pre-planning test layout to avoid the similar colour issue outlined above.

It’s also much easier to get confused or lose track of what piece was meant to go next. So you really do have to remain focused when making one of these types.

In the end, there’s no ‘best ‘ design to use. It actually comes down to personal choice if you have the perfect patchwork quilt in mind, think about what pattern would help you best achieve it, and go with that.

Good luck and happy quilting!

For more easy to follow ideas about how to make a patchwork quilt, check out Jane Greens patchwork quilt blog now!

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If you are new to quilting, have never made a patchwork {quilt} before or are actually plain curious, I would like to tell you about the excellent world of patchwork quilts.

These types are truly something different. Where a standard {quilt} is generally made from one main colour or has a wall painting or stitching pattern on it, a patchwork one is made of different bits of materials, or patches, thus the name.

These quilts were initially made in poorer times when people could not afford to purchase huge sections of new cloth for their blankets. Folk would collect up the bits and piece of material and any spare cloth they had scattered around.

This fundamentally looked like a jig saw puzzle with each material being a different size and shape. To make the best use of this, the material would then be cut into little squares or patches and then worked together into {a quilt} thus, a patchwork quilt.

I get asked a lot ‘are there any rules to making one of these quilts? ‘

The easy answer’s no. The longer answer is, as long as you use a few different sources of materials for you patches, you do not really need to follow any axioms. They don’t even need to be squares, I have seen some triangle and hexagon patterns as well!

Why do people make these?

There’s the belief that only the old make quilts. Let me be the first to say that is extremely wrong. Quilters sometimes make these quilts for something a little bit different. They also are a comparatively easy pattern to work with, and with the right combination of materials, really do add a bit of charm to an otherwise drab room.

So if you’re thinking about making a quilt, give the patchwork kind it a go, its straightforward and a great place to start for new quilters.

To read lots more simple ideas about how to make a patchwork quilt, visit Jane Green’s patchwork quilt website right now!

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Patchwork quilts have been about for decades, doubtlessly centuries if my granny is to be credited, and if you’ve ever seen a few, you will know that no two {quilts} are the same. The reasons behind making the {quilt} are as individual as the {quilts} themselves, with each quilt being made with a selected incentive.

So what are a few of the most typical reasons people make quilts?

Family History

Your family history is one of a kind. There are such a lot of different stories to tell and keeping an eye on them all can be a invovled job. That is why some people choose to make a patchwork quilt to remember all of their stories and ensure that none go untold or are forgotten.

Each story receives a patch and an image or saying is sewn into the patch to convey the message and memory of each story. While these are not the commonest sort of quilt, they’re held sacred by family members as many generations of their family have worked on the quilt.

New Child

When a new kid is brought into this world it really is a joy for the parents and relatives. Some quilters like to make a patchwork quilt to celebrate this occasion and give a present to the parents and kids to keep for evermore.

{A quilt} like this sometimes includes messages of well wishing and bits of advice sewn into each patch to help guide the child (and occasionally parents) in growing up into a fully developed responsible adult.

Excess Materials

This is the most renowned type of quilt, which patchwork quilts were invented for. When you want a quilt and have a bunch of additional bits of off cuts and left over material around, you know it’s time to make a quilt.

The great part about this is you never know how your quilt will turn out, although in my experience, even the most ghastly colours mixed into a wonderful assortment on any patchwork {quilt}.

Do not be shocked if you find the same or similar reasons for your patchwork {quilt} detailed here, we all have our own motives, its just that on the rare occasion they cross paths.

Good luck and happy quilting.

To read a lot more easy to follow ideas for how to make a patchwork quilt, visit Jane Green’s patchwork quilt blog right now.

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In this piece Id like to cover some essentials about quilting, most particularly about the cutting tools youll need to start with your patchwork quilt.

Scissors

Scissors are the “meat and three veg” for nearly any craft, so you’ll need to have a good pair since be using them over and over. Make sure that theyre cosy to use, that they fit your hand comfortably and do not rub on your knuckles.

Large or small? If you are cutting little complex pieces of fabric I recommend short pointy scissors. This will give you better accuracy with your cutting. Conversely if you’re cutting larger pieces of fabric you must pick the larger blade scissors (say 7″- 8″).

Carbon or Chrome steel? The choice here is more of a preference than a which one is better choice. Carbon blades have a tendency to be costlier and hold their sharpened edge for longer, but they also include a higher ticket. Stainless steel on the other hand has a tendency to be a lot cheaper but may need to be sharpened on a more common basis.

Rotary Cutters

Rotary cutters are still comparatively new to the quilting world but theyve been warmly welcomed. Theyre simple to use and allow for a much quicker alternative choice to scissors for getting a superbly strait edge. Here are a few pointers to picking the right rotary cutter for you.

Safety latches: Ensure your cutter has a strong security catch and is easy to use. Hold the cutter in your hand and flick the security catch on and off 20 times. This can give you a good sense of what it’s going to be like to use it for hours at a time. If its cumbersome, look for one thats more ergonomic.

Blades: Bigger blades have a tendency to be better for cutting large amounts of fabric, and small blades are better for round shaped edges. You many to buy one of each as youll be reaching for the bigger one more frequently, but the little one will make those tricky jobs far easier.

Handles: Finally, the handle is what makes all the difference. It must be snug, sit in your hand nicely and be simple to grip strongly. The very last thing you want is for your hand slip forward and onto the blade. If it is hard to grip or it is not comfy to use, keep looking.

To get more tips about how to make a patchwork quilt, go to Jane Green’s patchwork quilt blog right now!

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With any trade, craft or pastime there are typically sets of tools and equipment that are unqiue to it. In this piece Id like to explore a couple that are integral to making a patchwork quilt, specifically, rulers and cutting mats.

Cutting Mats

As a rule the bigger mats are good for cutting large pieces of fabric and smaller mats are great for smaller pieces of fabric. Personally, I really like to have one of each. My bigger mat spends most of its life on my {quilting} bench whereas the smaller one works really well for workshops and when Im low workspace.

I have a tendency to prefer the soft self-healing mats over the harder mats as they allow for much more control of the cutting process, and thus give more consistent, straighter cuts.

TIP: When using a soft mat be certain to place it on a hard surface to avoid the matt bending when cutting.

Rulers

There are all kinds of sizes and shapes when it comes to rulers and as time goes youll most likely build quite a collection of them. However , I do suggest that you start with a big and small rectangular one as these are the ones youll use the most, so it’s best to invest in these first.

Not all rulers include a non-slip backing and as a result have a tendency to move around when cutting. I strongly recommend that you consider one with a non-slip backing to prevent the waste of throwing away good fabric just because an uneven cut made it unhelpful.

It’s also wise to consider the colour of the ruler. Most frequently quilting rulers are clear, however some have coloring designed to create contrast and make it simpler to see certain coloured fabric through them. It’s definitely worth holding the ruler up against the fabric you propose to use, before you buy it, to make certain the contrast makes it easier to see the fabric and not harder.

To Read more tips about how to make a patchwork quilt, go to Jane Green’s patchwork quilt site right now!

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The patchwork quilt has great importance in folk culture in pretty much every part of the western world. They’ve been part of the home for many years and have dutifully served many functions in this time.

Originally, the quilt was just a handful of fabric bits from a variety of sources that were frequently scraps or leftovers from other projects, that had been sown together to make a blanket.

Around the planet there are communities that hold regular fairs featuring quilting bees and contests. The Amish community in particular are known for producing lovely and unique designs.

A Tiny Bit of History

The patchwork quilt has evolved from being a random collection of scrap fabrics to being works of art in their own right. In reality antique ones can even fetch lots of money and some are passed down generation to generation. They may also be given as gifts, often to young couples as a part of the house warming gifts. Girls who follow the tradition of hope chests could have a few included as a part of their hope chest.

They often contained pieces of fabric from important events and were regularly a living record of the womans life. For that reason, they’re often featured in peoples wills because of the worth they hold.

Getting Started

Beginning isn't tricky, but you will need a few supplies. If you want to make a standard quilt, gather things from around your home such as old clothing or blankets. It’s a smart idea to choose things that have some memory attached like an old baseball jersey or your favourite outfit from school.

When you have enough fabric pieces to form the front of your quilt, you’re going to stitch these pieces together. Historically, these pieces are typically sewn together during quilting circles by hand.

Many individuals nowadays use sewing machines. It makes the project quicker and simpler to do on your own. You may also require a piece of fabric the dimensions of the finished quilt to act as your backing. You can obtain quilting batting which is the filling utilized in quilts from most fabric and craft supply stores. Place the batting between the two pieces of fabric and all that is left is to stitch the pieces together.

So as to stop the batting from shifting, stitching is done all over the quilt in what’s often referred to as a patchwork quilt pattern. This holds the batting in place and stitches the 2 pieces together. Once you have completed this you’ve got a finished piece.

Modern quilts can be made of fat quarters which are pre cut fabric pieces that are accessible for sale at most fabric supply stores. You can create a range of patterns for a modern patchwork quilt

To get more great tips about how to make a patchwork quilt be sure to visit Jane Green’s patchwork quilt website right now.

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A Patchwork quilt is mostly skipped over when quilters are considering their next project. They are often , and incorrectly, considered as something that dusty old people make. This is a long way from the honest truth. Even a fast look at what people are making patchwork quilts today will show that they are set to make a roaring comeback!

Why is this the case? Well there are a number of reasons:

Patchwork Quilts are Deceptively Straightforward

Many people think that making one of these sorts of quilts is a slow and complex process, however it does not need to be. if you are using a pattern on your quilt, all you have got to do is set up some grid lines as a guide and you’ll be ready to divide up your patterns relatively quickly with a small amount of repetition. If you’re making a rather more conventional design, the toughest part is deciding which patches go where and thats something I cannot help with.

Any Pattern You Desire!

Many people automatically think ‘Squares! ‘ when they visualise a patchwork quilt. This does not have to be. I’ve seen numerous quilts that use circles, hearts, stars and many other shapes. The most inspiring one I saw exploited a complicated celtic design that connected at the corner of each patch. I was so impressed that I actually have something similar planned for my next project!

Make ANY picture or design into a Patchwork Quilt.

Thats right, with a little amount of work, you can make any pattern into a quilt! Just make sure that if its a smaller design, that you are ready to get enough copies to cover the whole quilt. But fear not if you realize that you do not have enough of a pattern to cover the whole quilt, group them around the middle, trim off the sides and add on a new or similar coloured edge to your quilt. The edge can be as wide or thin as you like, its actually only there to frame your pattern.

These are just the commonest reasons I adore creating a patchwork quilt. When you make your own one, I am sure you’ll discover all of the other small reasons its great to work with patches!

Jane Green is a keen fan of patchwork quilt designs and talks about these and other ideas like how to make a patchwork quilt, on her website. Head on over to discover more!

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