Pat's post reminded me that quilting designs (and quilting in general, as
opposed to piecing) often leave even experienced quilters scratching their
heads. Since the interest seems to be out there, I got the idea to do a
multipart post on how I approach quilting a quilt.

First, the disclaimer. This is just *my* approach, developed over 10 years
(aack, has it been that long?!??) of professional quilting. There are lots
of other approaches -- the best approach is the one that works for YOU. And
the only way you'll find what works for you is to try several different
things out. So give yourself permission to have a bit of fun and experiment.


Second disclaimer is that I'm strictly a machine quilter. I'm not sure I
even own a hand quilting needle. But design is design, and 99% of what I'll
say applies equally to hand quilting.

Enough with the intro, and on to lesson number 1.

Probably the biggest obstacle to choosing a quilting design, even for
professionals, is that when you're staring at a quilt your mind goes
completely blank. Every design you've even seen or thought of vanishes from
your memory. So we're going to develop a design reference you can use to jog
the brain cells.

I use two different references, mostly because I'm too lazy to combine them
into one. The first reference is a binder full of page protectors, divided
into sections labeled "overall", "borders", "blocks", etc. Each page
protector has either a photo I've taken or a page torn from a magazine that
highlights some quilting design that fits into the section. And when I say
highlights the quilting, I mean the quilting -- these aren't photos of
complete quilts, but closeups where I can see every bit of the quilting
design for that area. So if I need inspiration for a border, I can turn to
that section of the binder and flip through just borders.

How do you fill up this binder? The main way is photos. The next quilt show
you take your digital camera to, make sure you also get a couple of dozen
close ups of quilting. When you get home, print those out on plain paper. No
need to use the good photo paper, and you don't even need to print in color.
But get in the habit of collecting these ideas for future use. (I also note
on the back of each printout where I took the photo and who did the quilting
so I can give proper credit, but I've been called anal retentive, too.
*grin*) And get into the habit of taking your camera everywhere you might
find a design, even if it's just your cell phone camera.

My second reference is a sketch book full of sketches and notes. For me, a
5" x 8" size is perfect -- big enough to really draw something out, but
small enough that I will actually take it with me. I like to get real sketch
books, the ones with heavy, slightly rough paper, and I use a soft
mechanical pencil (mechanical because you won't find a pencil sharpener at a
quilt show.) You can pick one of these sketch books up for about $5 at the
office supply (or art supply) store, and it will last a long, long time.

How do you fill up the sketch book? Take it with you to guild meetings,
quilt shows, classes, any place where you have time to sit and doodle. When
you first start filling up the sketch book, your instinct will be to try to
make each doodle perfect. Guess what? It's the mistakes that are the most
valuable. I try drawing a design like I'm quilting -- continuous line at a
constant speed. If I goof up, I start another one right below the first. On
all my goofs, I jot down notes to remind me where the trouble is, like
"watch out coming out of this curve" or "make sure the petals are the same
size". And sometimes the goofs give me inspiration for other, better designs
down the road. And, I make notes on where and when I got the inspiration.
(See anal retentive, above).

At this spot a number of you are saying "But I can't draw!" I can't draw
either. Doesn't matter. The main thing is to get those ideas down and make
notes so your brain gets jogged. Your brain won't get jogged if you never
put anything down on paper, so stop worrying about pretty and start doing.


Making these two references aren't nearly as much work as they sound like,
and they can sure be a lifesaver when you are faced with crippling mind fade
when you are looking at that quilt top.

Next installment: How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
Queen of Fabric Tramps

remove the obvious to reply
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyapplebaum/