Drafting your own patterns

i do my own applique designs and templates made from cereal box cardboard. patterns for pieced designs i usually spot something online that peaks my interest and that is my starting point for my own result. i dont use templates for pieced designs. its either cut and piece or paperpieced for me. as well as my hand applique of course. :) j.

"Marie Dodge" wrote...

It will vary from person to person - no uniformity among us. I design almost all my own patterns, though I will pick one up if it is something that will save me time - like a pattern for a bag which I liked, and having the pattern will save me pondering about how best to do the lining and handles etc.

In message , Marie Dodge writes

I have only used my own patterns. Sometimes I see something that I like, and just use it as inspiration to take off from. I would use templates at the back of books if there was something that really interested me and I am in fact looking at one for a Mariners Compass that I am thinking about. But I may just draft my own if it isn't the right size for one I want to do.

John

I envision 32 points on a bed sized quilt with companion 1/4 small compass units in all 4 corners. That would mean that each of the larger points would be about 24" or so I think. I am in the middle of something else right now but I am always thinking ahead as soon as I get into a project. I think that is what keeps me interested. I would like to do it with Thimbleberrys Fabrics for the compass, with a light background and scollop stitching on the background. Maybe a bit much for me to attempt at this stage, but I think I can pull it off.

John

To make "normal" blocks based on a square grid, I seldom need templates at all. Strip piecing and a couple of good rulers do the trick, in whatever size is most convenient to me. For my floor mosaics, I draft my own. But of course if there's something unusual in a book or magazine, I often give it a try. Roberta in D

"Marie Dodge" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:fom88e$fhp$ snipped-for-privacy@aioe.org...

Ah-ha from me too. I've been hoping to nudge John into something a little more just plain fun such as snowballs or caterpillars. The MC will do just fine. Polly

Sounds good, John. Do check out the varying centre styles, too. They can make a lot of difference; as can the position of the four main/largest points - whether they are NSEW or NE, SE, SW, NW; and how you have the points which are visible all the way along come together. It's entirely up to you what you choose, but it's good to know what variations are possible. I think the MC always looks great with matching corners - full or quadrant. . In message , John writes

Trick question! Drafting and making templates are different things.

I draft. Sometimes I make templates if the shape is odd. Mostly I use formulas and cut pieces with my rotary cutter without using a template.

If you can find Doreen Speckman's _Pattern Play_, it has terrific directions for creating,drafting and cutting your own designs.

There's also using quilt software to design on the computer, but I got used to using graph paper so I've never felt a need to upgrade.

--Lia

Although I love looking at patterns, I always make my own! Right now I'm working on one I designed during a very boring meeting in Washington -- amazing how those note pads the hotels always put out with pencils in conference rooms come in handy! Anyhow, it's based on a 1" grid, and in a 12" block has 72 pieces of fabric in 2 colors --

1" squares, 2" squares, and half-block triangles. Fun stuff!

Your replies have been interesting to read. I do both. If I see something I like I'll copy the templates but do strip cutting with a rotary cutter as well. It depends on the quilt. I also have my own grids of 12" and 14" blocks made from poster board.

I do enjoy making my own templates using those pads with a grid. Each square is 1/4". I transfer them to tracing paper, then to white poster board or clear acetate (?) if fabric pattern is important.

John: Look for MC books by Judy Mathiason. The books were published at least

12 years ago I think; you may need to go to library or a used book source. Her books include templates AND helpful information for drafting various MC patterns. The colors and settings are lovely to view, too. HTH. PAT in VA/USA

I have only used my own patterns. Sometimes I see something that I like, and just use it as inspiration to take off from. I would use templates at the back of books if there was something that really interested me and I am in fact looking at one for a Mariners Compass that I am thinking about. But I may just draft my own if it isn't the right size for one I want to do.

John

A rectangular Mariner's Compass might be a nice choice for a bed quilt. See my other post to John. PAT, with MC quilt in her future, in Virginia

I'm afraid I'm just boring and/or lazy or both. I just make patterns already designed by someone else. If I like them. Though I've designed my own medallions but that doesn't take any genius to do. My preference is for rotary cutting and machine piecing so I'd only use templates (already provided) if there was no alternative. I use paper piecing if it's the best way to go or hand piecing if there's no other option. I don't mind appliqu=E9 and have learned recently I can make my own designs for that if I feel like it.... put my mind to it. On the lazy side it's easier to find someone else's design to do.

John:- MC is a big leap from what you've been doing. You go boy/ lad (girl somehow in inappropriate) can't wait to see what you do. I like MC and one day will do one too. But for now DJ is plenty challenging for me.

Polly :- Caterpillars? lol

Hugs Elly

"Marie Dodge" wrote:

Absolutely! I have seen a rectangular MC within an oval frame - looked wonderful. . In message , Pat in Virginia writes

She has a newer one out, too, I think; based on the very cathedral floor of which I have photographs and am going to replicate in fabric (4 quilts). Judy made hers using MC. That is the one where she uses the freezer paper method of foundation piecing where you don't sew through the paper. Is that right Roberta? . In message , Pat in Virginia writes

I think you can pull it off, too, John. With your background in precision work and your already very good skills in piecing, I have little doubt about your success. I will second (or third) the suggestion that you look into Judy Mathieson's books; she's the foremost expert in this pattern, and her technique is really good.

I usually use someone else's patterns, but I've been known to make up a few of my own adaptations. Now that I can do that with software and more easily "play" with options, it's a lot easier; but I still tend to use someone else's ideas.

I've heard of the software people are using. I like to sit here at night and play with my graph paper. I've come up with some really unique stuff in the past.