Which comes first...the fabrics or the pattern?
#53
Well I just saw some ship fabric in the clearance section. Now I'm not crazy about ships but my DH is. I got 2 yds of each - what to do with them? hmmm, came home and thought about it. A Mariner's Compass! Sometimes I see material and know immediately. Sometimes I just like it and then come home and think about what to do with it.
#55
Unless I am making it for someone who has requested a specific color, I just do what ever looks good to me. I am getting so many patterns (free ones on the internet) that I do have a hard time deciding on a pattern.
#56
I also puzzle a lot over fabric and pattern, and what has worked well for me...or at least has sometimes....is to make a sample block and see if I like what I get. Once I even cut 2 1/2 inch strips of 8 fabrics to see if I liked them together for a Trip around the World. I just laid them side by side until I liked what I saw.
I am never positive I will like a quilt until I am done. I just can not visualize the finished product, but these two ideas have helped.
I am never positive I will like a quilt until I am done. I just can not visualize the finished product, but these two ideas have helped.
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,143
I ask the person what colors they like then I go from there.
I took my grandson to the fabric store with me and he picked out the fabric. He picked spiderman. that was easy. Im making it in panels, When I showed my daughter she said Mom thats how it was in the comic book.. I was soo happy, I didnt know that.. You could close your eyes and pick a pattern then you pick the colors to go with it.
I took my grandson to the fabric store with me and he picked out the fabric. He picked spiderman. that was easy. Im making it in panels, When I showed my daughter she said Mom thats how it was in the comic book.. I was soo happy, I didnt know that.. You could close your eyes and pick a pattern then you pick the colors to go with it.
#58
Originally Posted by sisLH
Well I just saw some ship fabric in the clearance section. Now I'm not crazy about ships but my DH is. I got 2 yds of each - what to do with them? hmmm, came home and thought about it. A Mariner's Compass! Sometimes I see material and know immediately. Sometimes I just like it and then come home and think about what to do with it.
#59
Originally Posted by Vicki W
I usually start with the purpose of the quilt.
Who is it for?
What is the purpose?
Will it be a heavily used quilt?
Then knowing who it is for, I can determine the pattern and fabrics.
Seems to work for me this way easiest.
(I love the new fabric feel too....might be the reason for the pile of fabric)
Who is it for?
What is the purpose?
Will it be a heavily used quilt?
Then knowing who it is for, I can determine the pattern and fabrics.
Seems to work for me this way easiest.
(I love the new fabric feel too....might be the reason for the pile of fabric)
I think this is the method I use. I find a pattern I like, think of who it is for and will they appreciate all the work. Then, I go pick out the fabrics for it. I do have matching fabrics that are designated to go into a single quilt someday. Since I love scrap quilts, very few are planned for specific fabrics, but it does happen. JUst go with what you like to do and enjoy your quilting.
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 436
I usually pick a pattern first. www.quilterscache.com is a wonderful site to find patterns. I look thru my stash and decide fabrics for that project or really have fun and go out and buy them. A design wall is a must for me. I use a 60" vinyl window blind placed high up in the brackets. I glued flannel to it and it works beautifully. When I don't need it, It rolls all the way up and out of the way. I keep a small hook in the wall at the bottom to hook it on when it is down. This is great to audition fabrics and block placement. I am still new at this; but this helps me. Good luck!
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