| In the past, quilting patterns were handed down | | | | don't fit the theme, colors or material that you will be |
| generation to generation. You could get new patterns | | | | using for your project. Select a design that catches |
| that weren't in your family from close friends. Today, | | | | your eye and will be enjoyable to work with. You can |
| with computers and the Internet there are literally | | | | look at the colors on the quilting pattern picture to get |
| thousands of quilting patterns at your fingertips. How | | | | an idea of what color schemes work best with that |
| do you select which quilting pattern to use? | | | | particular pattern and modify them to specifically meet |
| Before you begin browsing quilting patterns, determine | | | | your needs. |
| the purpose of your upcoming quilt. Will it be a gift for a | | | | Many quilters purchase quilting patterns. Some |
| specific occasion? Will it be a wall hanging, piece of | | | | purchase expensive software like EQ6 to generate |
| clothing, bed cover, furniture cover or even a pillow? | | | | patterns. Many choose to become members of the |
| Knowing what you are going to use the quilt for when | | | | and have access to a large number of quilting patterns |
| it is done is the first step in selecting a quilting pattern. | | | | that are easy to download and print. The advantage |
| Some patterns look better on smaller projects and | | | | of doing this is that you can modify your design and |
| vice versa. Depending on your quilting skill, you might | | | | colors easily since you can see the dimensions of the |
| need several patterns for different sections of your | | | | quilting pattern design and how it will fit together. There |
| quilt. | | | | is a large selection of themes for the quilting patterns |
| The next step in selecting a quilting pattern is to | | | | as well. |
| determine approximately what colors you will be using. | | | | One fun use of quilting patterns is to learn new quilting |
| For example, you would not want to use bright pink if | | | | techniques. Members at the have access to a |
| it's going to be a baby quilt for a newborn boy. A | | | | comprehensive library of quilting video tutorials, eBooks, |
| wedding quilt would be in light colors. Perhaps the quilt | | | | audios and more. You can select a quilting pattern to |
| is a wall hanging and needs certain colors to | | | | try out a new quilting technique to add uniqueness to |
| compliment the room's d�cor? Knowing what | | | | your future quilt projects. |
| the quilt will be used for will help you determine roughly | | | | Choosing the right pattern to personalize to match a |
| what types of colors that you want for the quilt. | | | | quilt's theme is essential to the success of every |
| Decide what types of materials you want to use for | | | | quilting project. |
| the quilt. Some quilting patterns do better with cotton | | | | Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and |
| fabrics, while others need different materials to do well. | | | | books on topics from organizational development and |
| Will you be using high-loft or low-loft batting for the quilt | | | | leadership to quilting. It was her avocation, the love of |
| piece? Will it be a batik piece? Knowing the type of | | | | quilting, that inspired the popular online membership site |
| material will help you select the best quilting pattern. | | | | for quilters known as the �world�s |
| Write down your plans for the quilt. As you browse | | | | largest quilting bee� at . |
| through the patterns available, disregard the ones that | | | | |
