Monday, 10 November 2014

Pointers For Using A Quilt Design Wall

By Christa Jarvis


You might not have heard of walls for designing quilts but in fact they are a highly useful and attractive feature for sewers. This unique accessory makes it possible to see how fabrics will work together in advance of finishing a quilt. Simply sticking patterns and fabric samples to the wall will give you a preview of the finished product. This guide has a range of pointers for using a quilt design wall in your work space.

This unique addition to a work space can help you to work out how colors and patterns work together. The old method of using a floor can be difficult as it is not always easy to get a good view of fabrics. You may find yourself standing on a chair in order to get a good vantage point.

Alternatively, a design wall allows you to stick your quilt blocks to a surface that is very visually accessible. Standing back is all you have to do to get a better overall view of your plans. One of the most appealing aspects of this tool is that it allows you to work with many different fabrics at once.

Of course, one of the beauties of quilting is variety. That means bringing together lost of different colors and patterns as part of the design. This is definitely an area where the design wall is a true asset. In a few minutes you can add or remove fabrics to slowly build up a symphony of textures, patterns and colors.

Starting small is a good idea if you have a limited budget and need to conserve your fabric investment. There are lots of ways to do this. One option is to begin with a few small swatches of fabric just to get a sense of how they work visually.

Another idea is to create a miniature block using the pattern that you plan to utilize in your quilt. That means downsizing the pattern to very small dimensions. This allows you to cut out sample fabrics and see how they look without wasting large quantities.

The great thing is that a miniature block does not have to go to waste either. Over time, you may accrue a number of mini blocks which can be sewn together to create a miniature quilt. Alternatively, you might use them in home furnishings such as cushions.

Other uses for design walls for quilting are to work out how fabrics will intermingle in terms of patterns. Pattern is just as important as color in this art form and it can be tricky to know how to use several fabrics together. For instance, strips, florals and dot patterns might seem to busy in combination but with some practice it is possible to integrate even these patterns smoothly. For more tips, including how to make design walls, you can find lots of useful advice online via quilting websites and blogs. As well, check out the range of magazines which focus on the subject. Thankfully, today it is easier than ever to get tips on this creative pastime thanks to the Internet which brings those with shared passions together.




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