#AtoZChallenge2021 ~ D is For Design

 

D is for Design

Here is my upper case "D" block for my future quilt.

I will be designing this quilt as I sew. 

Buying and following a pattern is one way to make a quilt.

If you want to get creative and design your own block or quilt,

it is easy to do.

All you really need is paper and a pencil and a straight edge.

Earlier this year, when I wanted to design my 

Curves 'n' Stripes Quilt ~ Posted Here

I started with an image in my head, some fabrics that I wanted to use up

... and I drew a rudimentary sketch.

The idea for the scalloped edge came later.

D is For Dresden.

Dresden is quilt pattern which typically has points 

and is appliqued to the block background

 as in this sun block I made for 

This Sun, Sea and & Sand Quilt Started Here

For my scrappy pink and white quilt, 

I knew I wanted to make a pieced, curved Dresden Fan Block.

I used my Easy Dresden Ruler to cut the fan blades for my block. 

I sewed the first block without an actual pattern.

Then I cut cardstock templates so all my blocks would be the same 

as my first block. 

My quilty kitty and I are very happy with our new quilt

and enjoyed to creative journey. 

If you are not ready to design your own blocks, 

you can start with any block.

There are many free quilt block sites online, such as ... 

 

Quilt Blocks Galore @ Quilter's Cache

... which has hundreds of free blocks to choose from

and even sample layouts to get you started.

For a video on the quilt design process, click on the link below from

How to Design a Quilt on Graph Paper You-Tube Video

Designing my own quilts makes my creative self sew happy! 

I hope you have enjoyed my post today for Day 5 of the

#AtoZChallenge @ Applique Patchwork Quilting'

and the 

A to Z Challenge

Thank you for visiting me! 

#AtoZChallenge2021 ~ C is For Color

 C is for Color

Color Theory is a very important element in the art of quilting.

Read Here for an interesting article:  "Quilts As Art"

@

International Quilt Museum

Here are some of my color tools.

The Quilter's Filed Guide to Color by Rachel Hauser

This colorful theory guide is from one of my favorite quilting blogs,

Stitched in Color

and

Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool from C&T Publishing

There are many free resources online to learn more about this.

Here are two:

Color Wheel Basics @ We All Sew

and

Color Theory in Fabric @ Quilting Daily

C is for Contrast and Color Value

Color Value is also an important element in quilting 

as enough contrast must exist to make the block pattern emerge.

Here is an article on Contrast and Value @ All People Quilt

I love bright colors and textural prints in my quilts.

~~~

C is for Charms

Charms are 5" squares of fabrics,

Traditionally, charms were cut from scraps and sewn into quilts

where no two pieces of fabric were the same.

Today fabric manufacturers cut 5" squares of fabric from new collections

 and sell them as "Charm Packs" 

Click Here for a Brief History of Charm Quilts

Today in the modern quilt world there are many patterns designed

specifically for these packs of 5" squares.

Many are available for free.

Click Here for Free Charm Pack Patterns

This is a Charm Pack quilt for a baby girl that I designed and made with scrap squares for a quilt made for the baby's big sister.

Click Here for this Quilt Story

Click Here my Easy Patchwork Lattice Quilt Tutorial

~~~

C is for Cat

I am a "Crazy Cat Lady Quilter"

These are my three quilty kitties, Katniss, Maestro and Nutmeg.

If you are new to my blog and are interested: 

Read Here To Meet My Quilty Kitties

My kitties love to pop up in my blog. 

~~~

I am Linking-up today with 

#AtoZChallenge @ Applique Patchwork Quilting

I am enjoying meeting new bloggers in the

A to Z Challenge

Thank you for visiting me!