how do you know which pattern to use
#53
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by berryberry
I'm a beginner. All the quilts on the site are beautiful. Being a beginning quilter now when I see fabric, I see it differently. I'm starting to see the light and dark. Oh, I can't forget the feel of the fabric. One thing I'm not clear on.
Do you pick a pattern first and then pick out material or do you pick out the fabric first then try to pick out a pattern?
Do you pick a pattern first and then pick out material or do you pick out the fabric first then try to pick out a pattern?
#55
.
You will come to find that you do both, pick pattern first as well as pick fabric first.
I am genetically drawn to red/white, I think. So I have a lot of those fabrics, of every shape and style.
So I notice all red/white quilts regardless of pattern, and think if I would like to reproduce that.
And I think of all designs as they might look in red/white.
Otherwise, on the one hand, I might take a fancy to some pattern I see like New York Beauty or some new-to-me technique like Continuous Prairie Points, and then pick the fabrics second.
On the other hand, I might think of how I would like a particular fabric displayed, that is to say, does it need a lot of exposure as a main visual element or does it need to merely peekaboo in the design? or does it need points? or does it need curves? or does it need lines? or does it need dimensionality?
On the gripping hand, I think of a pattern I am dying to make, such as Schoolhouse which I have always loved and never yet made, and think how I might like to show it in colors and shading. Do I want it Traditional? or Updated?
But mostly, I just have a lot of all kinds of fabric and a lot of patterns and keep sewing and keep collecting more of all of it.
I just love quilts!!
.
You will come to find that you do both, pick pattern first as well as pick fabric first.
I am genetically drawn to red/white, I think. So I have a lot of those fabrics, of every shape and style.
So I notice all red/white quilts regardless of pattern, and think if I would like to reproduce that.
And I think of all designs as they might look in red/white.
Otherwise, on the one hand, I might take a fancy to some pattern I see like New York Beauty or some new-to-me technique like Continuous Prairie Points, and then pick the fabrics second.
On the other hand, I might think of how I would like a particular fabric displayed, that is to say, does it need a lot of exposure as a main visual element or does it need to merely peekaboo in the design? or does it need points? or does it need curves? or does it need lines? or does it need dimensionality?
On the gripping hand, I think of a pattern I am dying to make, such as Schoolhouse which I have always loved and never yet made, and think how I might like to show it in colors and shading. Do I want it Traditional? or Updated?
But mostly, I just have a lot of all kinds of fabric and a lot of patterns and keep sewing and keep collecting more of all of it.
I just love quilts!!
.
#56
Usually get the fabric and then choose a pattern. I do have several patterns that I keep on hnad jus tincase I find the right fabric. In the beginning I would find a patterna dn then the fabric for it. this works better if you want the exact fabric but now I love the challenging of mixing all kinds of fabrics to obtain the effect I want.
#57
Oh for the days when I only bought what I needed for a pre-selected pattern. Of course those were the days I only made clothing. Now I own more fabric than I will ever be able to put into a quilt even if I live to 200. I usually get the idea, then shop my stash and try buy only what I need to complete it. I have found that digging through my complete stash for something is a good thing to do just before a show or shop hop or any opportunity to add to it. I will still buy but hopefully, not so much.
#58
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Duncan, AZ
Posts: 116
Both. A lot of the time I look through my stash & start getting ideas of what I could make with what I have. Most of the quilts I have made have some of my stash in them. I do however occasionally see a pattern I like & buy especially for that, buying a little extra of course to add to my stash. I look through books to get ideas too & then adapt them. I've only actually followed a pattern for three quilts.
#59
I usually have a pattern and then I find my favorite fabric to go with it. I often use the author of a book or magazine
that I enjoy using. I change pleasures all of the time and go from solid color choices (primary colors) to red,white, & blue, to blended quilts. I do agree sampler quilts help to obtain style, color values. Good luck beginners, keep it simpler and grow from there. The whole issue is enjoy yourself and don't let any quilt police interrupt your growing talent. It is always a work in progress.
that I enjoy using. I change pleasures all of the time and go from solid color choices (primary colors) to red,white, & blue, to blended quilts. I do agree sampler quilts help to obtain style, color values. Good luck beginners, keep it simpler and grow from there. The whole issue is enjoy yourself and don't let any quilt police interrupt your growing talent. It is always a work in progress.
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Central TX
Posts: 421
Kind of like "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" I seem to do both. I'm a beginner quilter also of less than a year. At first I bought kits until I could understand the process. Now I just buy what I like whether a pattern or fabric.
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