Quilting Patterns

Make your own quilting patterns by drawing or tracing onto computer paper and then stack 4 or 5 sheets of computer paper together.   Staple the edges so they don't slip and "Sew" through the traced or drawn top sheet with an unthreaded neede.  Next, use the sewn sheets to "pounce" mark your quilt top!

It has helped alot to write down the quilts I have in mind to do as well as the yardage needed or the fabric that I already have for the project in mind.  I doesn't have to be a journal, just a sturdy small notepad will work. 

Then when seeking something to work on I know what is needed.  When shopping it helps to stay focused on what I actually need.  It also helps tame the desire to make every single pattern that I see!!!  When you see your list, you can then decide which ones you'd rather do now and which to save for later.

If you really want to use up your scraps and try your hand at paper piecing than recycle your old newspapers. instead of having a printed pattern on a paper just use different shapes to fill up the piece of newspaper . you will use your scraps PLUS recycle newspaper. when you get good at figuring out how to do this you will be a pro at printed paper piecing.You will also see you quilt squares which are larger than normal turn in to that crazy quilt or wallhanging you have been wanting to do for a long time now. 

I just made a beautiful quilt for my new grand daughter.  I am making a replica of her quilt for her dolly so that when she is old enough she has one to wrap her "baby" in.

when I am quilting without a quilting pattern I use 1/4 inch masking tape or quilters tape and place it next to a seam and quilt down the side of it. Be sure to use a between quilting needle and a finger cot to pull the needle thru. Use a flat top thimble Bunny Quilter2@webtv.net

I HAVE USED A SHOE HOLDER THAT HANGS IN THE  CLOSET ON A HANGER, THE MATERIAL KIND WITH THE POCKETS  THAT GO FROM SIDE TO SIDE..IN THEM TO PUT ALL MY LONGARM SEWING PATTERENS IN, THE ROLLED UP KIND. I ORGANIZE THEM  IN CATAGORIES AND  THEY HANG FROM THE CEILING ON A HOOK SO I CAN TURN TO EITHER SIDE.  IT HOLDS ALOT.  KEEPS THEM IN ORDER AND I CAN MOVE IT IF I NEED TO.  LEA

My aunt gave me this wonderful tip for marking the many quilting and sewing magazines and books I accumulate to make finding my favorite pattern faster.  She places a large adhesive mailing label on the outside of the book/magazine cover and writes the name and page number of those projects she wants to complete some day!  This is a real time saver when looking for a particular project.

My specialty is art and landscape quilts.  And although I have a "reasonable" stash, I often find that I need just that right colour or pattern to achieve the desired result. 

 So I use those pocket photo albums for swatches of the fabrics for what ever project I'm working on.  I used to staple swatches to a want list, and inevitably it got lost.

  With the albums, my samples stay clean, organized and easily accessible to compare to all those great fabrics, whether I'm in a second hand store or my favourite fabric shop.  When the project is finished, I place a photo with the fabric swatches, along with any ideas I have for improving the effect for future projects, a great permanent record of my artistic efforts.

here's an idea for all the left over quilt blocks you don't know what to do with. everyone has finished quilt blocks left over. buy or make a canvas tote bag then put the quilt block on the front of the bag . you can also take a piece of cordinating fabric and line the bag. and vola" instant designer quilted bag to carry your stuff to work, church or school. i have madr several and my friends are always asking where i bought them. so i tell them and get to share my love of quilting, they also make quick and easy qifts. happy quilting brenda the goofy quilter

I am a beginner when it comes to quilting and have subscribed to a couple of quilting magazines.  These magazines have some wonderful tips, patterns, and instructions in them.  They can be a wealth of information.  I have every quilt magazine and book saved on a bookshelf in my craft room.  To help in finding that one wanted article, pattern or instruction without going through a years worth of magazines and books to find it, I photocopy each magazines and books table of contents and put them into a three-ring binder.  When I am looking for something, I go to my binder and look through my photocopies until I find the wanted information.  I then can see what book or magazine it is from and what page(s) to find it on.  I go directly to my bookshelf and can easily pull the one book or magazine and go directly to the wanted page(s).