| Quilting is art. Like painting. As an artist myself, I can | | | | Quilt designs need creativity, so make sure you get |
| attest to the similarities between the two. Although I | | | | your creative juices flowing. You can create many |
| myself don't quilt, my wife is an avid quilter and | | | | different designs on a quilt, it could be floral, geometrical |
| together we (and a board of directors) own a | | | | patterns, landscapes, plaids etc. There are so many |
| wonderful quilting non-profit company mentioned below. | | | | choices, you can choose whatever design you think |
| By reading on you will learn what machine quilting is | | | | you could work with. If you're new to quilting or quilting |
| and what role machine quilting designs have in the | | | | designs, you can try out mini or miniature quilts with |
| quilting world. | | | | easy designs. There's no hard and fast rule that it has |
| Quilting is similar to painting in the way that brushes are | | | | to be a large quilt. Once you gain experience, you can |
| replaced by needle and thread. Paper is replaced by | | | | move on to larger quilts. It's basically up to you, and |
| fabrics. Quilts were traditionally made by hand, but with | | | | what your comfort level is. |
| the invention of sewing quilting machines, many prefer | | | | Once you decide on a design, the next step is to draw |
| this route. Machines make quilting work easier, faster | | | | it on a fabric and cut it out. Place these cut out designs |
| and not to mention much neater. You have the option | | | | on the quilt the way you want it. Mark these designs |
| of using an ordinary sewing machine which has quilting | | | | using pins on the quilt, or you could also run a needle |
| capabilities or you can use a machine that is | | | | (without a thread) around the designs. This creates an |
| specifically designed for quilting. | | | | impression of dotted marks, which will then make the |
| Small patches of different fabrics are used to make | | | | quilting process much easier. |
| quilts, though you can use the same fabric as well. It's | | | | You can choose from an extensive range of colors to |
| really interesting and can be likened to working on a jig | | | | make your quilt. Generally a single color is not used for |
| saw puzzle. Only difference is, in a quilt you need to | | | | a quilt. Multiple colors are used, which make the quilt |
| stitch up the entire thing. Quilting as a craft has been | | | | attractive and unique. Choosing colors may seem |
| around for many, many years. Some quilts are passed | | | | simple, but its important that you choose the color after |
| down from to generation, and there are many happy | | | | giving it some consideration. Think of the colors of your |
| memories associated with quilts and quilting. | | | | bedroom and what would blend in. You can also think |
| If you're a beginner and your interested in quilting, you | | | | of cool and soothing color tones. For a guest room, a |
| can start off by using two or more different fabrics. | | | | brighter color will work great, as guests have an |
| Basically, you should start collecting left over fabrics or | | | | opportunity to view your handy work. |
| materials that are left over from previous stitching. | | | | People generally design a quilt on a certain theme. |
| Once you've collected these, you can then start by | | | | Quilting a theme can be challenging. The designs have |
| sewing all of these together. You should be able to | | | | to fit into the main theme that you have chosen. For |
| use the sewing machine quite adeptly. It's advisable | | | | example, if your making a quilt for a baby, you can use |
| that you practice using the sewing machine, as much | | | | common things that are attractive to babies such as |
| as you can, as handling the machine while quilting is no | | | | toys, animals, alphabets etc. Also since it's a baby, |
| easy task. You could also create designs of the quilt. | | | | choose the color wisely. Don't choose dark colors, but |
| Start with simple, basic designs, and then once you | | | | go for soft baby colors such as light pink, light blue, light |
| have enough experience, you can move to more | | | | yellow etc. |
| complex designs. The Internet has a number of sites | | | | Get some ideas of what machined quilts can look like |
| where you'll be able to get some free quilting designs. If | | | | by visiting the many websites that show some great |
| these seem too complicated, you can just get some | | | | machine quilting designs like the one mentioned below. |
| ideas and create your own unique designs. | | | | |