I've never made a quilt without a pattern
03-22-2012, 01:25 PM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Western New York
Posts: 1,085
If you have a Joann's where you live go to the book section which is by the notions and purchase a book called Patchwork Minus Mathwork published by the House of White Birches. I think it will be a great help.
03-22-2012, 05:49 PM
#46
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,893
My first quilt was actually a wall hanging by using only part of a queen size quilt pattern. My second quilt was one I designed --- on graph paper. I've spent hours with graph paper doing patterns. Then I bought EQ7 which made it a bit faster.
You are only 57 - it's never to late to learn! I didn't start quilting until I was 52. Now I design my own and sell the patterns (3 so far, 1 is in stock at the moment). I also learned to longarm at 53. So don't say you are too old.
You can do it. Although there is nothing wrong with following patterns all the time either.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
You are only 57 - it's never to late to learn! I didn't start quilting until I was 52. Now I design my own and sell the patterns (3 so far, 1 is in stock at the moment). I also learned to longarm at 53. So don't say you are too old.
You can do it. Although there is nothing wrong with following patterns all the time either.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
Last edited by patricej; 03-31-2012 at 03:50 AM.
03-22-2012, 06:17 PM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Grants Pass, OR
Posts: 2,071
I have a friend that only buys kits as they are all "ready to go." I have a friend who only makes quilts of her own design and I have a friend who paints and dyes her own fabrics. I have tried all of these, but basically buy my fabric and use patterns and make my own designs. Wherever my muse takes me, I go willynilly.
Quilters do all kinds of things in all different kinds of ways. I hated math and until I got to using it to quilt it never made sense to me. Now, I have learned the math. note: If I can learn, you can too.
Quilters do all kinds of things in all different kinds of ways. I hated math and until I got to using it to quilt it never made sense to me. Now, I have learned the math. note: If I can learn, you can too.
03-22-2012, 07:18 PM
#49
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Alberta, Canada and Arizona USA
Posts: 98
I do that all the time! Doodle on the graph paper and then figure out how to make it all fit. No need for complicated math, just decide what dimensions the finished quilt will be and then work within those measurements on the graph paper.
Have Fun, (quilting is SUPPOSED to be fun!)
-Velvor-
Have Fun, (quilting is SUPPOSED to be fun!)
-Velvor-
Jeanne, you might want to experiment with putting some of your quilt ideas on graph paper. The nice thing with that is that you can use the little squares to represent whatever size you want them to be. You can use it to design a block or blocks, and then you could use it for making a miniature drawing of your quilt. Colored pencils are helpful too, if you want to get ideas for color schemes. I'm not great at all that math either, but the graph paper helps to keep it all in proportion. It's kind of like having a computer program, only you have to do all the work! This is just one idea, but with all the awesome, experienced quilters on this board, you are sure to get some great feedback!
03-22-2012, 10:56 PM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Here's another suggestion for creating a new pattern. Take some card stock and cut into squares---3 or 4" each. Leave some white, make a few of this color and a few of that color. Then mark some for HST, white/1st color, white/second color, 1st color/2nd color. Mark a few to be one big triangle and the other half as two triangles. Invest in some colored pencils.
The play around with the squares laid out this way and that. Set together 3x3, 4x4, 5x5--------------------as far as you want to go.
Hand draw a few basic designs like leaves and flowers and hearts to lay out applique style.
Just play with it
The play around with the squares laid out this way and that. Set together 3x3, 4x4, 5x5--------------------as far as you want to go.
Hand draw a few basic designs like leaves and flowers and hearts to lay out applique style.
Just play with it
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