How to Make a Unique Quilt Pattern

Draw a design you want to try

Make a unique quilt not just with a different pattern, but with different ideas. If quilts were not made of squares, I would suggest you think outside the box.

The ability to craft an expression is part of the beauty of making quilts. The combination of shape and color make each quilt unique, but you can do even more to identify a quilt as your personal work and personality.

Here are some steps that will help you get started.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• muslin for pattern construction ideas
• pencil
• freezer paper
• protractor
• straight edge
• fabrics or ideas for fabrics

1. Quilt squares to work with

   Use muslin as a foundation for the quilt block.

   Take a piece of muslin and cut several background squares the size you want to work with. This will be the foundation for the quilting squares.

2. Use freezer paper to make a design the same size as the muslin background block.

   Make a unique quilt design with the use of freezer paper squares the size of a quilt block you want to work with. These will be working copies. Using the ruler or straight edge and protractor, create a design on the freezer paper squares until you find one you like.

3. Copy the freezer paper design.

   Make an identical design onto another of the freezer paper squares to preserve a whole copy. Cut this design into as many pieces as you will have different quilt pieces.

4. These fabrics came from recently washed

   Choose the fabrics.

   Decide what colors and fabrics you would like to work with for a unique quilt pattern. Make fabric selections for a unique quilt pattern, and using the paper as a pattern, cut the shapes with 1/4 inch added all around. Alternatively, for an eight-inch pattern, cut four inch squares and just fold them to get an idea of what will work.

5. Try a quilt block.

   Use the muslin as a foundation and place the fabrics to develop a pleasing unique quilt design, moving them around to try out different placement. Pin or baste these quilt pieces into place.

6. Not a lot of selection in this group

   Check the quilt block from a distance.

   Tape this quilt block or square to a wall and view it from a distance. If you have a concave or reducing lens, you can look at the square even farther away.

7. Analyze the result.

   Consider the relationships of the quilting fabrics, the colors, and watch for anything that looks out of place. If there is a color that is too strong, consider turning the fabric over to mellow the colors. No one says a quilter can only use the right side of the fabric, and that helps to make your work unique.

8. Substitute fabrics for different looks.

   Make substitutions in fabrics to make a unique quilt pattern until you are pleased with the results. This is justification for pins instead of basting. Remember the color wheel as you work, and if you have a color wheel with tertiary colors and you like to work in tertiary colors, have it close at hand.

   Monotone color schemes are easiest to work with, but sometimes do not share the complexity of multi-color quilts.

9. Think about the connections between quilt blocks.

   Consider tesselations, or the effect of one quilt block connected to another. Consider sashing for the quilt. These are strips that surround the squares and add individuality to each square.

10. Sew the pieces to the muslin foundation.

    Always complete a single quilt block before cutting the entire quilt. Sew the pieces to the muslin foundation to see how they fit together. Start at the middle and pin the first piece in place. Lay the second piece on top of that one, right sides together, and sew the edge. Open up the second piece, finger press it flat, and move to the next piece. Continue until all pieces are in place.

    Sew a row of sashing around the single square if you choose sashing.

11. Turn the quilt square on point

    Consider other quilt design effects.

    Turn the square on point (like a diamond) and from side to side. Look at the possibilities, and design your unique quilt pattern with an open mind. This one has blue, purple and beige--maybe too many prints. With the use of all of the squares in a four-inch size and just folded for the first try, you can change them out as you think about it. Come back later and make more changes.

12. Cut and sew the unique quilt from the pattern you have made.

    Cut the pieces as designed, and sew the individual blocks or squares, then assemble the blocks to form the quilt top. You should not need the muslin foundation unless you have very small pieces or a complex design. The muslin was to give form and shape to the quilt block as you developed a unique quilt pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• We often write about quilting and crafts projects. See Resources below for more articles like this one.

• copyright 2009 Linda Richard

• Feel free to link to this article or send it to a friend.

Resources

• Buy Binding Fabric for Quilting Crafts
• Make a Fan Quilt Pattern
• Sew Yoyo Flowers Quilting Crafts
• Make a Flower Garden Quilt Pattern
• Sew Crafts with Vintage Pillowcases
• Analyze a Sewing Machine Problem
• Thread a Needle Correctly