reading the quilt pattern
06-20-2011, 11:28 AM
#71
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 1,618
Originally Posted by jmabby
For me it took 3-4 quilts before I felt comfortable reading them. This is what I do on paper
1) Make a copy of the pattern to write notes on
Fabrics needed:
2)On copy of the pattern check the list of fabric to cut and label them A, B, C, D etc; do the same with the cutting instructions
3) Now mark the quilt layout diagram to corespond with their fabric A, B, C, D etc.
3) Write down all the colors
after the colors I write down the fabric I will be using
Example:pattern: A) 1/4 yard small orange primrose(#3005-33, Gold/Rust) (my fabric) rust shamrock
B) 2/3 yard large gold orchid (#3002-33, forest gold) (my fabric) rust/gold gnomes etc.
Now I can easily see by following the pattern which fabric I will use replacing the pattern colors with my colors.
Make sense so far??
Now I go to cutting fabric
Cutting fabric:
A From the small orange primrose cut------- rust shammrock
B From large gold orchid cut---------- rust gold gnomes
etc
If you do this it keeps your mind in order, or does mine. The rest I write down notes where I make changes or write something that takes awhile to figure out. I have a 3 ring binder with sheets of copies of quilts I have made with my notes, next time it will be a breeze. By making a copy if you make the quilt again you can start with a fresh copy and write down the new colors. I keep these loose pages by my machine and continously use them while, cutting and piecing all the time. Good luck
1) Make a copy of the pattern to write notes on
Fabrics needed:
2)On copy of the pattern check the list of fabric to cut and label them A, B, C, D etc; do the same with the cutting instructions
3) Now mark the quilt layout diagram to corespond with their fabric A, B, C, D etc.
3) Write down all the colors
after the colors I write down the fabric I will be using
Example:pattern: A) 1/4 yard small orange primrose(#3005-33, Gold/Rust) (my fabric) rust shamrock
B) 2/3 yard large gold orchid (#3002-33, forest gold) (my fabric) rust/gold gnomes etc.
Now I can easily see by following the pattern which fabric I will use replacing the pattern colors with my colors.
Make sense so far??
Now I go to cutting fabric
Cutting fabric:
A From the small orange primrose cut------- rust shammrock
B From large gold orchid cut---------- rust gold gnomes
etc
If you do this it keeps your mind in order, or does mine. The rest I write down notes where I make changes or write something that takes awhile to figure out. I have a 3 ring binder with sheets of copies of quilts I have made with my notes, next time it will be a breeze. By making a copy if you make the quilt again you can start with a fresh copy and write down the new colors. I keep these loose pages by my machine and continously use them while, cutting and piecing all the time. Good luck
I also find that physically righting it down in a notebook helps me process it better than just reading it. If it's a quilt that's super special, like my husbands sampler for our anniversary, I get out my ruler and colored pencils and map out the blocks to go with the directions.
I'm making my first patterns out of a McCalls quilting and only after several rewrites was I able to understand. I made a sample and HATED it. So I looked at what steps went wrong for me and I rewrote them in a way that made more sense. I've made 4 more since and really loved them.
The biggest advice I would have for anyone dealing with patterns for the first time is to be careful with borders. Cutting and piecing has to be perfect for the length to wind up. I don't cut the length of any borders until the center or top is complete and then I measure what mine actually is. I don't have ruffles in my borders anymore now because they are true length, not what the pattern requires.
I'll help you in any way I can.
Melissa
06-20-2011, 11:29 AM
#72
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: from MN and now in Texas
Posts: 232
We all have different styles of learning. I have to read since verbal instructions last in my head as long as it takes to say them. My mind wanders. Pictures als help me. You just have to figure your style.
06-20-2011, 12:10 PM
#73
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 114
The one thing that works for me is reading it like I do a knitting pattern. If I read ahead or go ahead in the directions I get very confused. I read and do one step at a time and I stay less confused. There are times when I have to cut a piece that I could have done earlier, but it begins to make sense after I go through it very meticulously the first time. Good luck finding what works best for you.
Jana
Jana
06-20-2011, 12:13 PM
#74
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 96
When I start with the instructions, I follow one sentence at a time. If I try to understand it all, it is very confusing. I also make a copy and re-write on the instructions the color and fabric that I am using.
Just don't get ahead of yourself.
Just don't get ahead of yourself.
06-20-2011, 01:12 PM
#75
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ks
Posts: 1,112
i take a piece of paper and tape clips of the material i am using and put theres written next to it. that way if they say dotted pink and i am using green i just have to look at my cheat cheat paper. that makes it easier for me.
06-20-2011, 01:25 PM
#76
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
Hi, Jackie. I, too, have trouble understanding directions. Perhaps this will help: cut a snippet of every fabric you plan to use. Glue this snippet onto the pattern directions everywhere that fabric will be used. This will keep you from getting confused while reading the directions. Hope this helps. (When I teach beginning quilting, I have the students glue their fabric choices on the pattern drawings. It really helps them from miscutting their fabrics.)
06-20-2011, 05:37 PM
#77
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 119
Sometimes when I am working on a new pattern and don't quite "get it", I sit down and read the pattern outloud. Somestimes hearing the spoken word is easier to understand than the written version.
06-20-2011, 06:17 PM
#79
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,215
I am so glad to have read this. I'm working on my fourth quilt, all baby quilts. The directions said to take the fabric and fold it lengthwise and cut it crossways, or something like that. I cut the material the way I understood it and sewed the two pieces together for the backing. When I laid it out, it was too short. I was so frustrated because I couldn't figure out what I had done. Now I'll have to piece the backing together.
I'll use these suggestions in the future. I thought it was just my math "inability" and it makes me feel good that other people have problems too.
I'll use these suggestions in the future. I thought it was just my math "inability" and it makes me feel good that other people have problems too.
06-20-2011, 07:37 PM
#80
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Victorville CA
Posts: 134
I have the same problem....reading the pattern. So, if I see something I like, I just 'invent' my own method. I don't copy, but I get inspiration from seeing other's quilts. So, I am an 'out of the box' quilter. Just finished a charity quilt to be raffled off. Phew! I had a few problems on sizes, but managed to get it done right. If I ha
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