| Did you know that more than 6 million | | | | 8 Easy Quilting Patterns to Get You |
| beginner quilters decided to learn how | | | | Started |
| to quilt during the last 3 years? | | | | Quilt Pattern 1: A simple nine-patch |
| That brings the total number of quilters | | | | quilt block can be used as an example of |
| to about 27 million – that’s | | | | how different a block can look just by |
| just in the United States. And most of | | | | changing the placement of colors within |
| those quilters, just like me, are | | | | the nine parts of one block. Using only |
| presented with limited drawing and | | | | two colors of fabric in alternating |
| painting abilities. | | | | squares creates a checkerboard design. |
| Quilting is a fantastic way to create a | | | | Quilt Pattern 2: With the same |
| work of art with fabric. It is well | | | | nine-patch of two colors of fabric, |
| understood that the | | | | using only square patches in each block, |
| “painting” will not be | | | | you can create a quilt pattern that |
| perfect, and that colors and patterns | | | | looks like a big X. |
| are limited to what’s available in | | | | Quilt Patterns 3 and 4: Want more of a |
| a quilt shop or hand dyed fabric. | | | | challenge? Take some of the square |
| Here Are My Top Tips to Help You Get | | | | patches in the blocks and divide them in |
| Started in Making Quilts for You, Your | | | | half from corner to corner (commonly |
| Children & Grandchildren: | | | | called half-square triangles in the |
| - Combine blocks of fabric to create | | | | quilting world), and create an Ohio Star |
| your quilts. By changing the shapes of | | | | or Pinwheel quilt block. |
| the pieces within a block such as | | | | Quilt Patterns 5,6,7,and 8: Change the |
| substituting triangles for squares and | | | | placement of your fabrics once again, |
| switching light fabric for dark fabric | | | | and your block turns into a May Basket |
| you can create a whole new quilt design. | | | | Quilt Block, a Maple Leaf Quilt Block, a |
| And, you will still keep the | | | | Bow Tie block, or even a series of |
| construction of your quilt the same. | | | | diamonds, called Slanted Diamonds. |
| - Simple is the name of the game for | | | | Increase the number of colors in your |
| many quilters. As a beginning quilter, | | | | quilt, and your design changes once |
| focus on learning and practicing basic | | | | again. And, by using only two basic |
| quilt making techniques that you will | | | | shapes (squares and triangles) you can |
| need to develop your craft. | | | | create all of your design changes. |
| - Use one or two shapes for all of the | | | | Quilts are amazing works of art that |
| quilt patches. This makes it easy to sew | | | | have survived the test of time, and will |
| a quilt together. Squares and triangles | | | | continue to do so as long as there is |
| offer many advantages in terms of | | | | fabric and quilting imagination. |
| simplicity. | | | | Happy Quilting! |
| - Remember, interesting variations in | | | | This article courtesy of |
| quilt blocks are achieved just by where | | | | You may freely reprint this article on |
| you place the fabrics in your quilt | | | | your website or in your newsletter |
| block, in addition to how each patch is | | | | provided this courtesy notice and the |
| divided in the quilt block pattern. | | | | author name and URL remain intact. |