Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns are written instructions to make a specific quilt. They generally include the finished size of the quilt, the fabric required to make the quilt as designed, cutting sizes for each fabric, piecing instructions including illustrations for quilt blocks, layout of blocks, quilt construction, pressing and finishing method. Quilt patterns can be found as a stand alone product sold in quilt shops or online, included in books and magazines, or distributed free. Patterns can be a printed and packaged or offered as a dowloadable pdf file that can be printed or used on a computer, phone or tablet. Quilt patterns assume you have a basic understanding of quilt making and do not provide any general quilting directions.
Benefits of Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns provide you with the information needed to make the desired quilt. The designer has determined the placement of fabrics to acheive the desired results, for instance lights, mediums and darks, prints or solids. All the math is done for you; from the amount of fabric required to the cutting sizes for each piece necessary. You may want to make the quilt exactly as pictured in the pattern or give it your own style, based on your experience. As a beginning quilter a pattern is a great place to start and as your skills begin to grow you might begin to design quilts and do your own quilt math.
Supplies and Tools for Quilt Patterns
Quilt Patterns should provide you with a list of supplies and tools needed to complete your project.
- Sewing Machine
- Basic quilting notions and tools
- Fabric as noted in the pattern
- Template Requirements
- Specialty rulers- if needed
- Trims or embellishments as noted on the pattern
- If you have purchased a pattern online and received a .pdf file, you will need a printer to print the pattern if needed.
What I Wished I Knew When I Started using Quilt Patterns
Always read QUILT PATTERNS before beginning the project. Check for errors. Sometimes after publication and distribution, an error in the pattern may be discovered. You can check for an errata page about the pattern on the designer's, magazine's or book publisher's website. You can also do a rough calculation of the fabric requirements and cutting sizes before beginning. As you become more familiar with designers you will gather knowledge about how accurate their patterns are. Making a test block to insure the instructions are correct can be helpful.
