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