Just wonderin...

Inspiration first - idea, person, purpose, really the word I'm looking for is *reason*

Then I work out how - that's where the colors, fabrics, blocks and pattern comes from.

I guess what I'm saying is that quilting is a means unto an end and pursuit of that end just causes everything to fall into place. The end becomes more than a quilt, a statement.

Well, I've only completed a few quilts. I suspect if I run out of things to say in fabric I'll find myself something else to do.

-Charlotte

Sh> Hi all,

Sometimes you can get pattern overload just clicking through the blocks, sometimes having trouble visualizing each in different colors and the potential for design options. I always have a look to see what everyone else is doing, I put pics off the web that fit into my "that's really nice, maybe I'll do that someday" folder and browse thru it for ideas. Also I mark quilts that catch my eye in books or magazines. Sometimes you may have some fabric you want to use. Or it may be for a certain someone or a certain occasion so you have a theme to start with. I can't tell you how many I have on the drawing board, the problem is getting them done!

kitty in phx ~who needs to stop surfing and start sewing~

I keep an informal list on my bulletin board called "good ideas." The top half is "good ideas-art." The bottom half is "good ideas-traditional." (No arguments about how traditional quilts can be art. I know that. This is just what it says on my bulleting board.) An idea might say "pink jewel box on black background" or "that cool, feathery pink fabric would make a great flamingo." When it is time to start a new project, I look at my drawer full of UFOs. Then I look at my ideas list. I ask myself how much creative energy I have at the moment and think about what I would change about my last few quilts if I could start them over again. (Example: I would not choose to make a king size quilt. The thing is unwieldy.) Some good ideas were only good ideas long enough to write down. Then I stop thinking about them. Others stay in my mind for quite a while. Those are the ones I try to make first.

Department of You Didn't Ask For This Advice But You're Getting It Anyway: If you're deciding between one pattern and several patterns, it is time you broke away from other people's patterns and started drafting your own. Patterns are for beginners who are learning new skills. After that, you can get creative. Look at patterns and the quilts you've made. Ask yourself what you like about them and what you don't. Go from there.

--Lia

Sh> Hi all,

I have a list an arm length's long of quilts I want to make. I just get these ideas floating around in my head, and they never stop. Sometimes I have problems sleeping because of it. I have a notebook where I keep all my ideas, for future reference. Sometimes I complete them, sometimes I don't. I don't think i've ever been at a loss for a quilt to do.

How 'bout I just tell you which ones I like? I really like scrappy log cabin types. Or... Star patterns are always nice. I have a lot of greens in my house, so that will always work.

Don't worry, Charlotte. You'll never run out of a reason to make a quilt while you know me. :D

The image of you throwing stash everywhere and rootling around in it... :-)

I think I better hit the library to look at books...all I have is the internet and that is at work...not a good look iffn the boss comes in and I have quilts on my screen instead of weeds!

Shona thinking she could use a few of those deadlines in NZ

Lisa, ahh yes. I have a 'spectrum' of loverly batik fqs just screaming to be used in some way...but how? It needs to be something special...fantastic...stupendous! aaarrrgggghhhhh

Shona with perhaps too high expectations in NZ

Charlotte,

Yes, a statement is what I am wanting to make!

The how is where I am stuck. I got these lovely batiks so the 'reason' for this next quilt is to show them off while learning some more basic skills...not kill them in an 'OMG what was I thinking when I did that!' sort of quilt.

Shona looking for a statement in NZ

Weeds? What is it you do? LOL

Kitty,

I do think that pattern overload and lack of 'real life' examples is my problem. I have serious problems in the visualizing department and because I am so new at this, I don't have the magazine/book/web address resources at my fingertips.

Shona thinking a few magazine subscriptions would be a grand idea in NZ

Shona,

Could you try the "twisted star" pattern and let me know if you like it and if it is easy?? That's the one that i have in mind for the quilt I am going to make for our bedroom...printed out the templates, but it looks like at least a year before I get to start on it.

Larisa

Sh> Hi all,

Hi Diane,

Don't even get me started on picking colours! I've signed up for a wee class at the NZ symposium and the needs list says 1/4m each of 3 darks, mediums and lights, 1 feature and enough of 1-2 for a border. Do you know what stress having to choose colours that don't look like poo causes me?? I lose sleep over it LOL

Shona needing some sweeter dreams in NZ

What a great question, Shona! When there's not an impending reason, I decide based on what I feel like sewing--fussy? Mindless? Courageous--time to finally try tumbling blocks, for example, or diamonds? Or something easy that I can work on after work when I'm too tired to think but still want to sew? Do I have some yardage that's been asking to be sewed in something, or am I feeling really scrappy? Sometimes the answer is, "All of the above." En route to the decision I go through my quilt magazines, which I look at when I get, then let pile up until a vacation and go through again, ripping out patterns and pictures I like. Mostly I revisit my favorite books, where lurk numerous quilts I've always wanted to make.

About a year ago I finally began to work on more than one quilt at once, mostly because I had to disguise the sewing I was doing on DH's Xmas present. I'd always been afraid that if I worked on multiple projects I'd never finish any of 'em. But I found I really like having the ongoing variety.

Whatever you choose, have fun and remember we're all here to help you if you need it!

Dogmom

Heehee,

I work as a plant ecologist specialising in weeds...NOT the kind you can be put in jail for...well unless you import or sell them illegally ...umm... ok so that sounds dubious as well ... try again..not the narcotic kind, but the kinds that cause problems in farming systems or jump the garden fence to take over native ecosystems.

I also encourage people to eat their weeds; nettle quiche any one? :-)

Shona who is nearly able to mow a salad instead of a lawn in NZ

Green, Now that is a colour I don't have much of sorry :-)

what is a scrappy log cabin? Star patterns; any special ones, one repeated or lots-o-different ones in a single quilt? Pictures?

Shona not getting sucked in by LNs begging in NZ

Oooo Merry,

Very nice. 'twood probably need more than my piddley fqs but a definite maybe!! are there patterns for this available? What about a place to buy these fabrics for less than we can get them in NZ?

Shona adding this to her newly started 'oooo-I-wanna-do-that-some-day' file in NZ

Hi Larisa,

Is this the 'twistING star' one on Quilters Cache? I've been thinking about making some of the blocks on QC for practice and would be more than happy to give this one a go for you. I think I know of some fabric that would be perfect for it...similar to 'Brenna's' one on QC.

Stupendous is a lot to live up to...

With fabric like batiks, I think a simple pattern is best as you want the fabric to shine, not the pattern. I made a wonderful trip around the world with some batiks. It glows.

Another alternative would be to pick a simple block such as a friendship star, or pinwheel, and start making blocks with the batiks. See what happens when you put materials together. This would help you learn to work with color... When you get a pile of blocks made, put them together in a top.

I tend to work from a general idea, and don't plan too much...

Above all else, have fun...use your fabric and don't be afraid to cut into it.

lisae