skip to main content

Question of the day 5/23

15 years ago

How or where do you get your inspiration or pattern for either hand or machine quilting your work of art? Do you use a book? Or get your idea from another person or project you have seen?

I sometimes get to this point and cannot come up with an idea/pattern to use, and I am getting tired of using the stitch in ditch or outline the block.

If I had ideas on this I would not be asking the question!

Barbara

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

day2day
15 years ago
I'm like you Barbara in that I wind up doing outline or SID. I've never done a meander but I'm going to try it this fall after all my current tops are quilted. I've made myself a promise to try to learn new things-----patterns and quilt designs on projects just for me. If it's for myself,I won't mind the mistakes I make. Looking forward to hearing comments on this question. Thanks for asking it.

~Geraldine
0
teresa_nc7
15 years ago
There are books that have designs for free motion quilting. A friend has these books and I have copied onto paper some of the easier designs. When I am ready to start quilting, I spend a few minutes following the pattern with my finger to get the feel of the design and the rhythm of it. Some of these designs are: figure 8, hearts, windy sky, triple loop, and one of my favorites, bubbles.

Another resource is Quilt It! by Barbara Chainey. She has lots of ideas for quilting single blocks, combined blocks, one-shape quilts, borders and sashings, and much more. It is a very comprehensive book.
Teresa
0
Related Discussions
(4) 9.5 hr days or (5) 7.5 hr days... need advice!
Q
Comments (4)
5 days keeps everyone's schedules more dependable and won't require changing existing patterns and habits? That's good for the very young, to be able to have and experience organization and dependable schedules. It's also usually less stressful on parents to not have to shuffle and re-settle into new patterns. 4 days of longer hours will require some shuffling before it gets to feel 'normal' and before it then becomes the new dependable pattern. It will require new duties from your partner in terms of taking the baby to daycare. Is he aware and able to do that? Do you have a choice about Mondays or Fridays to take off, or other days if taking a 4-day work week? You might be able to negotiate a 'trial' of a week or so with your employer so you can get an idea of the physical requirements and whether this kind of schedule is do-able for you (you need your health and sanity as intact as possible). Other issues can be complicated. Do you get a 'free' day to do the things you need to do (the thing to consider is whether, at stressful times, this change would feel like something that is resented). When the adults involved are both sleep-deprived their judgement can be impaired, or their thinking processes relatively slowed or otherwise affected by that lack of sleep. It can seem like, when offered what is felt to be needed (a free day) then of course it would be a good idea. It's harder to predict how one's life would change as a result. (If you end up feeling so overworked those 4 days that you really can't consider that 'free' day as 'free'; then you might a lot more support from your partner. He may not appreciate that, or be naturally adept and providing that as needed. No one benefits much at all if this change causes you to exceed your body's limits in terms of exhaustion and sleep.) deprivation. Basically, spend some time thinking about your own body's patterns. Which kind of work schedule would agree more with your own natural patterns (and why). What considerations are 'pro' and which are 'con' for the change. How sleep-deprived are you both, and how sleep-deprived are you both feeling (that is important because 2 people can have similar degrees of deprivation but one person's functioning might be more impaired by that)? Who will have to do what with the baby's schedule either way (note required changes)? Go through all these kinds of questions for yourself and with reference to your partner and baby. You'll be able to come up with a good idea about whether this change might be worth attempting. you can ask your employer for a trial of this change if you'd like to explore how you might be affected (positively or negatively, or not at all)
...See More
Question of the Day 5-30-09
Q
Comments (7)
I love the look of appliquÃ© but, alas!, I've been too lazy to actually do it. I just took a class in starch-turned appliquÃ© which is the technique damascusannie is describing. I haven't stitched my pieces down yet, but the shapes are so stable I think it could go very smoothly and change my mind about being willing to do it. I hope so. AppliquÃ© is so charming and the soft curved shapes are a wonderful counterpoint to the geometric edges of pieced work.
...See More
Question of the Day 5-22-09
Q
Comments (13)
I'm sitting here laughing, because so far, all the questions of the day are so pertinent to quilters in general and you've all got our number. I am a thrifty cloth purchaser. If I find 'the perfect' pattern, I'll spring for it, but that's once in a blue moon. A year or so ago, I found a very authentic Japanese print, made in Japan, and four times the price I normally pay for quilting fabric. This is going to be my very own special quilt. I have most of the coordinating fabrics, but have not found just the right shade of teal blue, settled for one I don't like and am waiting on finding the right shade of teal blue to start it. I have this picture in my mind, and have waffled back and forth for a year as to the perfect pattern to display it, and think I have it nailed enough to comment to it as soon as I find a block of time in my off season with the business. Soooooo looking forward to it.
...See More
Question of the Day 5-21-09
Q
Comments (24)
Petalpatsy - my girls called me at work to report on Dad - he had just used my Gingher's on something other than fabric - the cat! Our barn cat got into something sticky last summer that had a big patch of his fur on his back clumped together. We thought it would come out, and once winter hit, we didn't want to put a whole in his winter coat so we waited till warm weather came to give him a haircut. I guess that is not so bad, cat fur - it's not fabric, but it's better than paper!
...See More
fran1523
15 years ago
I usually spend some time looking through books and other on-line resources. I also have some designs I got from a machine quilting class I took at my LQS. If patterns are too complicated, don't hesitate to modify them to make them easier to do. Recently I quilted each square of a 9-block quilt in a different pattern, just trying to practice some things I never did before. It's kind of like a quilting sampler. will share a picture of it soon. Stitch in the ditch is really boring to do. Don't be afraid to try the free motion quilting. It will open up all kinds of possibilities.
0
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
15 years ago
Barbara, 99% of my quilting is in the ditch. I say 99% because at one point in time, I did a little meandering. For some reason, I can't get back into it. Maybe if I had a line to sort of follow, it would be easier for me to at least start again. I'll probably need to break down and buy a book then gird my loins and bite the bullet!

SharonG/FL
0
damascusannie
15 years ago
Patterns come from all over. Sometimes I use a motif from a fabric in the quilt, sometimes I go with some sort of meander, sometimes echo, grid, or SITD is right. Often it's a combination of more than one of the above. Quilting is often the most challenging decision to make because the right quilting can totally elevate an otherwise ho-hum quilt, but the wrong quilting can ruin a stunning top.
0
rosajoe_gw
15 years ago
I agree that SITD can be boring, but I think it is an important step to learning MQ.
Libray books and videos on the Internet are good too, I want to try Pat Sloan's bubbles.
I have found a continuous leaf and vine pattern on a roll of paper towels.
And of course inspiration comes from the members of the forums!!!
Rosa
0
nanajayne
15 years ago
I am not very comfortable with MQ. I SITD, meander, stipple, and echo. I use the embroidery machine but need to get comfident with FQ before I explore doing it on a quilt. It always seem so bulky when I try and get creative. I have used stencils and marked for hand quilting. Jayne
0

Related Stories

5 Questions for Design Stars

By Annie Thornton

Do You Have the Answer to These Home Design Dilemmas?

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

REMODELING GUIDES Planning a Kitchen Remodel? Start With These 5 Questions

By Tiffany Carboni

Before you consider aesthetics, make sure your new kitchen will work for your cooking and entertaining style

DOORS 5 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Barn Door

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Find out whether that barn door you love is the right solution for your space

5 Questions for Design Stars

By Annie Thornton

Share Your Suggestions for These Exteriors, Patios and Baths!

GARDENING GUIDES No-Regret Plants: 5 Questions Smart Shoppers Ask

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Quit wasting money and time at the garden center. This checklist will ensure that the plants you're eyeing will stick around in your yard

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

COFFEE WITH AN ARCHITECT A Quiz for Architects in Question

By Jody Brown Architecture, pllc

Should you trade in your T-square for a barista tray? Answer a few simple questions to find out

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

ORGANIZING 4 Questions to Help You Organize Your Favorite Photos

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Organize your keeper photos with a system that's just right for you, whether it's in the cloud or you can hold it in your hand

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES

More Discussions

I’m a bit anxious

18

New quilts going out the door.

4

How quilters cut a round cake

2

Children's cancer quilt

4

Two more donations quilts for Brent's Place

8