Quilting has become an immensely popular craft in recent years. Quilting patterns are much sought after by quilting enthusiasts. There are indeed a huge number of quilting patterns on the internet or your local book store. As a beginner, you might be wondering which patterns are best for your quilting project.
Historically, quilting patterns do not have much use as today. In the Colonial and pioneer days, women simply pieced quilt blocks together with scraps of clothing they can find, arranging the bits and pieces of cloths into eye pleasing patterns. They then share ideas for the patterns they discovered with other women. Thus quilting patterns which started as a tradition has become a necessity today.
At first, simple directions would have been scrawled on a scrap of paper, if at all-our ancestors might even have scoffed at the idea of following a pattern. Quilting fell out of favor for awhile, and any patterns that did exist would have been relegated to the attic. But once quilting came into vogue again, a new generation discovered it and the new quilters were hungry for patterns. While many art and adventurous quilters take off on their own and refuse to follow a pattern, the contemporary quilter is more likely to want some directions. Thus many quilters search endlessly for the proper pattern.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options for great quilting patterns. Free patterns are available on the internet as well as patterns for purchase. Individual patterns are available for various quilting blocks. If you know what quilt you want to make, it can be a good idea to purchase one of these, as it will have detailed directions on every aspect of the specific block. You'll find step-by-step directions that cover every aspect of the pattern for your quilt. The pattern may also give you tips and techniques you wouldn't otherwise know.
Many online sites offer free quilt patterns as a way to get you to visit their site. Google "free quilt patterns" and a huge number of listings will come up. Many sites list hundreds or thousands of free quilt patterns. Among the categories of free quilt patterns you will find there are quilts for babies, traditional American quilts such as the Log Cabin, Hospitality Pineapple or Lone Star, holiday designs, designs with animals or flowers on them, and many, many more. There are even free quilt patterns for food and drink, nautical designs, or angels and butterflies. While many sites feature free quilt patterns for old traditional designs, some also offer original patterns. Some sites have lists of links that will take you to more sites full of free quilt patterns.
Another excellent source for patterns is to visit your library or the bookstore and peruse the quilting section, where you'll see pattern book after pattern book. These books can be especially valuable if you haven't yet decided on a certain quilt pattern. But be forewarned-browsing quilting books and viewing all the beautiful patterns can be quite addictive! These books will often also feature general directions for each pattern, with more instruction on quilting. If you already know the basics of quilting, spending the lesser amount of money for an individual pattern might be your best bet.
Here are some of our favorite quilting patterns. Enjoy!
Quilting Deals
Quilters' Quotes - Author Unknown
~Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love.
~A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars.
~I'm in therapy and sewing is cheaper than a psychiatrist.
~Love is the thread that binds us.
~When I learned to sew, I forgot how to cook.
~Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.
~A quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul.
~Quilters know all the angles.
~Quilt 'til you wilt.
~When life throws you scraps, make a quilt.
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