I’m not a quilt designer, but I want to be one when I grow up. To achieve my goal, I grab every book I can find on how to design a quilt. But I’m often disappointed. I want help, via simple terminology and strategies, on how to design quilts. Many books I find on design use big words and highfalutin concepts that scare me, so I go back to my dreamland where someday I can call myself a designer. Then I read Rose Hughes’s new book, Design, Create, and Quilt. Woo-hoo! Finally, someone understands exactly what I need to know to design a quilt!
In her new book, Rose goes back to design-a-quilt basics: line, shape, texture, color, space, and composition. For each subject, she provides simple quilt lessons designed to help build or reinforce your understanding of design elements and increase your sense of what does and doesn’t work—which encourages you to listen to your inner voice.
Does your creativity need a reboot? In this excerpt from Design, Create, and Quilt, Rose discusses her creative journey. Get inspired by her story; then, in the slideshow below, see the kinds of quilts you can make using her guidance.
Replenishing Your Creativity
an excerpt from Design, Create, and Quilt by Rose Hughes
In my 20th year of quilting, I started to reflect on what it means to me to be a quilter. Looking back over this long period of time, one expects to have seen some changes, and I’m tickled to be able to say that I have been a witness to and a part of many quilterly changes.
Is there really anything new happening now? Personally, I say yes, and I believe that the quilters of a hundred years ago or more might chuckle at being called “traditional.” Quilters who came before us were just like us. We all take the materials and tools that are available in our own time and relish the magic of turning pieces of fabric into art. We turn fabric into things of beauty that may keep us warm or decorate our homes. We turn fabric into quilts. Quilters, no matter what we call ourselves, all have certain things in common, but at the very top of the list is our love of fabric and the use of needles, thread, and batting to create.
I asked some of my quilting friends to design small pieces based on the lessons in my book—and look at the impressive results! From left to right: (top row) Jake Finch, Joanell Connolly, Rose Hughes, and Sam Hunter; (bottom row) Karen Gray, Jeanette Kelly, and Vicki Tymczyszyn.
My own quilting journey began once I saw my first quilt, touched the fabrics, and ran my hand along the lines of stitching. Love at first sight. I had no choice but to pick up a needle and try my hand at creating this magic for myself. I was lucky to catch the quilting bug when I did. For one thing, rotary cutters were already being used. Also, I lived close enough to San Francisco that I had access to an amazing source of inspiration: a collection of Amish quilts that was on display in the offices of the clothing manufacturer Esprit during the 1990s. I visited this collection many times, amazed to see firsthand how the Amish quilters used their fabrics and how the simplicity and graphic quality of their designs mixed with the perfection of their tiny quilting stitches. This and so much more fed my desire to work with solid-colored fabrics and to learn to push the needle in and out to create my own tiny quilting stitches. I was hooked, and the love of the Amish geometric patterns and use of solid fabrics kept me happily stitching for some time.
Think of the fun you can have with these simple stitching effects, all made from the humble straight stitch.
Then, as many of you already know, I really wanted to add some twisting, swerving, bending curves. It ushered in a move away from stitching quilts for utilitarian reasons, but I would never leave my fabric, needles, thread, and batting behind! This desire took my quilting journey into whole new areas. Now, 20 years later, with all the twists and turns my own work has taken, I believe I’ve never really traveled far from that love of the graphic quality the designs presented and the use of the quilting stitch for its quality of simple definition, texture, and utility.
“By the Light of the Moon” is close to my heart and always hangs above the fireplace in my studio. It was made to commemorate my tenth wedding anniversary with my husband, David. It’s also one of the first times I used the construction method I now call Fast-Piece Appliqué to create simple curves.
In the middle of a huge project in my corporate life, I was introduced to the writings of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. In her book, The Creative Fire: Myths and Stories on the Cycles of Creativity, she shares her concept of the cyclical nature of creativity and provides examples from mythology. The underlying lesson of these tales is that things run in cycles.
Pages from my old sketchbook where I played with these ideas of creative cycles.
One of the things I took away from mythological tales about creativity is that everything is somehow connected—connected and recycled. Old becomes new once again.
In my book, you’ll find that there’s a section for each of the basic design elements: line, shape, texture, color, space, and composition. In each section, one of these elements has guided the projects, big or small. Since I believe that the doors, windows, and keyholes of your mind should always be open to discovery, you’ll find the design element defined, along with a few short designing exercises. Try the exercises before diving into the projects.
Here’s one of more than 50 ideas from the book to jump-start your creativity: head out to the paint store and spend some time wandering through the paint aisle. Select a few sample paint chips, and when you get home, create various color schemes to make your own color samples.
Besides being inspired by the individual design elements, the projects are built around the idea of mixing Fast-Piece Appliqué (see video tutorial below) with traditional and modern methods of quilt construction and ideas.
I’m constantly looking for new quilting ideas, forever replenishing and resetting my own creative cycle back to the beginning, to start all over again. I hope this book will help guide you toward that same feeling. It provides many, many opportunities to replenish and keep your own creative cycle rolling along. You never know when that little bit of new information flowing in may percolate and burst forth, presenting itself as a huge new creative opportunity.
Thanks, Rose, for sharing your creative experience.
With Design, Create, and Quilt, you can use your newly learned design skills for any type of project, using any sewing or quilting technique in your repertoire. In addition to her quilt-design lessons, Rose provides instructions for 10 projects. Each comes complete with template patterns and showcases a different design element.
You’ll find Rose’s fun and easy Fast-Piece Appliqué technique in her book as well. For a sneak peek, check out her step-by-step video tutorial.
Who knew it could be so easy to sew curves into your designs? Amazing!
As soon as I read through Rose’s quilt lessons, I was immediately inspired to give one of her exercises a try. Here’s the result:
The exercise was easy, fun, and the complete opposite of intimidating. Who knows…you just might see a version of these little doodles in my next quilt!
Are you ready to design a quilt all your own? If not, what’s holding you back? Share your story in the comments and you could win a copy of the Design, Create, and Quilt eBook! We’ll choose a winner one week from today and let you know by email if you’ve won.
If you purchase Rose’s book today you can instantly download the eBook for free.
Comments are closed for this post.
Thanks to all who entered the drawing! The randomly chosen winner is Jacquelin, who writes:
“En más de una ocasión he intentado diseñar una colcha. No lo he conseguido. En algún momento me atasco, no sé continuar, me aburro y lo dejo. Creo que me falta una estructura a seguir, unos pasos para avanzar y plasmar mis ideas. Gracias.” (Translation: On more than one occasion I tried to design a quilt. I did not succeed. Sometime I jam, don’t continue, I get bored and leave. I believe that a structure I need to follow a few steps to move forward and capture my ideas. Thank you.)
Jacquelin, we’ll email you about your free eBook. Congratulations!
I love the freedom and design without restriction. It looks like a total artistic trip!
—marie on November 20, 2012I haven’t designed a quilt yet because of the F word…FEAR.
—Wanda Heath on November 20, 2012I have never designed a quilt I just wouldn’t know where to start. Thanks for the chance to win the book with all the great ways to get started!
—Suzanne on November 20, 2012I have not designed my own quilt, yet. What is holding me back: lack of time and fear of failure. I have lots of fabric, so if I fail, I can always try another one!
—Sharon Pratt on November 20, 2012I designed a quilt once but was too conservative so I was disappointed with the results. I love Rose Hughes’ style and would love to be instructed from her book. I want to design quilts MY way!
—Melody on November 20, 2012En más de una ocasión he intentado diseñar una colcha. No lo he conseguido. En algún momento me atasco, no sé continuar, me aburro y lo dejo. Creo que me falta una estructura a seguir, unos pasos para avanzar y plasmar mis ideas. Gracias.
Translation:
—Jacquelin B. on November 20, 2012On more than one occasion I tried to design a quilt. I did not succeed. Sometime I jam, don’t continue, I get bored and leave. I believe that a structure I need to follow a few steps to move forward and capture my ideas. Thank you.
sigh … i simply lack the imagination to create such gorgeous quilts as pictured here. i would like nothing better than to create ‘by the light of the moon!’ thanx for the chance to win a copy of the book.
—ritainalaska on November 20, 2012I took a number of classes some years ago and the one thing that stuck with me from those early days was a comment the instructor made: "It’s your quilt, you can make it any way you want." If you know the basics of how your machine operates, how to use the different materials for construction, take the time to learn basic quilt construction techniques, then GO FOR IT! Try it! The worst that can happen is it gets stuck away forever, or made into a quilt for the dog or cat. You need to make mistakes, get creative, figure out solutions, try. Or just buy material.
—Claudia on November 20, 2012I remember how I did my first quilt without instruction – I had lots of scraps saved and wanted to use them. I just started sewing them together, different widths, whatever I grabbed from the bag, Next I made all the blocks the same size (I would not do that now) and used the design wall – sewed them together and quilted it. Did this again and again until I had used most of those scraps. Great results – now I hardly use a pattern. Kind of like tearing down the fences and having free range….
—sue on November 20, 2012what is holding me back is time! I plan to get this book!! It sounds great.
—Mary on November 20, 2012I have never designed a quilt for myself until this last quilt I finished for a baby shower. It took a while to design and then go to a pattern and directions, then to choosing fabrics and the right amounts, then to final quilt. It is a lot of work but was very fun. I am interested in going through the process again soon. It was definitely a learning experience. I do not have a computer at home to use a design program with, so pen to paper and notes, notes, notes is how I went about it. I want to get a computer and then get EQ, on my wish list for Santa this year.
—Laurie P on November 20, 2012I’m starting to want to design a quilt, but like Rose, can’t find the guidance I need. Other books just aren’t giving me what I need. I hope I win this book, it looks awesome and is probably just what I need. Thanks for the opportunity!
—susan on November 20, 2012I don’t think of myself as a designer. I can’t even do free motion to look all that great. Still working on paper to get it right.
—Mary on November 20, 2012As someone who started off as a totally self-taught quilter, I think this book sounds like it would be really useful to all who have no idea how to design a quilt. Having someone explain the process makes hard things seem much easier for most of us.
—Linda E in AZ on November 20, 2012thanks!
Thank you for this informative and inspirational post. I’ve designed a few of my own bed quilts, usually after the blocks were made. Though the quilts are not slick and professional (handquilted not fancy machine quilting), I’m pleased with the outcome. I’ve never designed an art quilt, so would be interested in learning more about this especially since I’m color challenged.
—MarciaW on November 20, 2012I am still a recently new quilter, but I have never used a pattern to quilt with. I buy magazines and think "that would be nice to make" but I don’t always no what they mean. Lol so it would be awesome to be able to follow easy steps in your book to design quilts.
—Lis Martion on November 20, 2012WOW, this is a unique and refreshing way of approaching applique. I love this method and will be using it now in future projects with more confidence, thank you.
—Jacqui Balaam on November 20, 2012This looks like a true inspiration and guide. I design my own but nothing is ever repeatable…just listen to my intuition and the fabric. I also like to read suggestions and would love this book.
—Lisa Phillips on November 20, 2012I am ready to design a good quilt. Have done plenty of bad to mediocre and just really have determined that I’m talentless in that direction. Maybe this book would help.
—Patricia Hersl on November 20, 2012I haven’t designed my own quilt yet but I have made changes to blocks. I do a lot of surface embroidery. I love fibers and textiles, fabric stores and needle point shops enthrall me. I have a bunch of old silk skirts/blouses and I’d love to create a wall hanging quilt out of them. I haven’t yet because I’m afraid to cut the silks and be disappointed with the end result. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. But I would like to purchase this book and see what I can learn. (I’m going to the paint store tomorrow!)
Happy Thanksgiving to my stitching friends!
Melissa Bird
—Melissa Bird on November 20, 2012My love of sewing began with making clothes for my children. I began to put applique on them. So it was natural that my first quilt was an applique pattern. I have completed one landscape mini quilt using a pattern from Dream Landscapes and have a second one in the planning stage. So I would love to receive a copy of Rose’s new book. Please, "Mrs" Santa Claus, grant me my wish!!
—Mae Carroll on November 20, 2012Mae
I have a floral applique quilt design that I’ve been thinking about putting together for a long time but keep putting it off. Why? Maybe Rose’s ebook would give me the encouragement I need.
—lindawwww on November 20, 2012I have been toying with this idea for months now. I am ready to design my own quilt. I have purchased several books and watched Rose’s video. Now I am psyched and ready to get started. This book sure would help me with my new goal!
—Terri on November 20, 2012I teach students with exceptionalities. One of my classes consists of students with behavioural issues. Trying to teach was becoming soooo difficult as their exceptionalities would prevent them from attending to the lesson. I decided it was time to incorporate sewing as an activity to demonstrate certain competencies. Now the students with whom I experienced the most challenges sit quietly and sew. The class began with bean bags and have graduated to stitching pre-cut Moda fabric into a coverlet that we will be donating at our Christmas fundraiser. The lessons are more easily transmitted and the students are experiencing success for the first time in their high school days. My goal is to have them each sew a lap quilt before the end of the semester.
—Kathleen on November 20, 2012A random conversation where someone mentioned Fibonacci’s numbers (which confused me so much I had to have a piece of chocolate) flowed on to my own numbers theory. It has almost nothing to do with Fibonacci, but I decided that if I cut my fabric into 3″ strips and then cross-cut those strips into 3″, 6″ and 9″ lengths. So long as I based my blocks around 9″ being the longest strip, I could make up any number of designs. Using fabric from the same range brought a quilt that was harmoniously scrappy.
—Kayt on November 20, 2012I’ve made three "3,6,9″ quilts and each one is delightful.
What a perfect book for quilters like me who are not design trained but want so badly to create something of our own! Lisa in Texas
—Lisa in Texaa on November 20, 2012I could learn so much from this book. I would love to win this book.
—Cathy Martin on November 20, 2012It was a scary start, but with Rose Hughes as the teacher she made it an easy start. I took a class from Rose, and have been "awe inspired" ever since! In the end, it was a GREAT simple start!!!! Her books are easy to follow.
—Diane Schwarz on November 20, 2012My 1st 3 quilts were pretty much my own design,didn’t know what I was doing(still don’t really)but the people I made them for really liked them. I don’t follow directions well! All my quilts, whether big or teeny, are my own take on various patterns I’ve seen … again I don’t follow directions well.
—Shari W. on November 20, 2012I used to ‘see’ colors and designs in my head all the time until my husband died 2 yrs ago. Now I see a picture in a magazine or a pattern and …. nothing. I’ve started a purse or two, neither of which got finished. I still go to guild meetings most of the time and my group meetings thinking I’ll get inspired but nothing so far.
Well, that’s what’s holding me back, I just don’t ‘see’ them anymore.
I’m not ready to design my own quilt because I compare myself to the accomplished quilters in my family and think anything I would design could not possibly compare to their work. I’m getting braver — I have several T-shirts that hold great sentimental value for me, and I’ve been arranging and rearranging them on a bed covered with a neutral blanket. I’m coming closer and closer to the layout I want. I’ve discovered I have an eye for design and no longer feel the need to compete with my family members!
—Kay Day on November 20, 2012great results; I see things in my head and can’t get to the next step of working out details; and I’m a book junkie, love books for directions and pictures and permission to take a chance–what the heck there’s more fabric where that came from!
carol
—Carol on November 21, 2012I only made my first quilt a couple of years ago after finishing 5 blocks embroidered with tractors. I had asked my mom (who quilts ALOT) to put them in a quilt but she did not have time and told me I should try it. Well a little upset with her I decided to "show" her and make it. Of course since being in a wheelchair and sewing only by hand it takes me longer to do. I have now finished 6 quilts and given them to family in which each was done to something they love and colors they enjoy. I look at all the patterns out there and the many quilts but I still always feel like I want to do something just a little different so I draw out patterns like crazy but cannot seem to decide on which design I should use! I need to focus I guess and I will probably try a couple out after finishing my husbands quilt which I am doing the tumbling blocks (in OVERLY bright and wild colors and patterns HE chose) and the back of which I am doing a design I am figuring out as I go. When I start my quilt for myself I am going to go back through my drawings and may have something very interesting when I am done! Having done 6 almost 7 quilts all by hand in two years (with a whole lot of breaks is not too bad but now I know that I can create, piece and quilt that many in less than a year if I really try!
—Jody on November 21, 2012nunca ha hecho algo así; le pido a Dios me de la paciencia y la sabiduría para poder hacerlo algún día
(Translation: I have never done anything like this, I ask God for patience and wisdom to do it someday.)
—Ruth Umana Guillen on November 21, 2012I have a file full of quilt ideas. There is one wall hanging in particular that I want to make. What’s holding me back? Fabric! For some reason I thought I had to find just the right fabric. Not going to happen! I’ve been accused of being rigid and inflexible before. I’m going to pull the design and try to look at it in a new light. Maybe I can create my own fabric with strips or strings. Maybe I can get the right effect with decorative stitches. For that matter, who says it has to be a wall hanging–maybe it should be a pillow or part of a quilt. hmmmmm
—Barb Colvin on November 21, 2012I don’t think I am being held back, as I have designed lots of needle work and quilt projects. I think that I am more in touch with who I am. Sometimes, though, it is hard to think outside the box. I’ve a granddaughter who sees colour and shape in a different way, and she doesn’t hesitate to suggest alternatives to me. Now, when I can’t find a direction for my work, I often ask her. And, of course, I would love a Martingale book with ideas we could share.
—Gail G on November 22, 2012Years ago, I designed and made my own clothes and no, you won’t see me on Project Runway. I used my creativity in my drawings on leather, paper, or wood, my off-the-beaten-path photographs and my oil paintings were all designs "I saw" in Mother Nature. Now, I take the quilt block patterns of the past and give them a "new life." Mother Nature is kind to us; she gives us an array of colors to choose from and four seasons to guide us. The quilt blocks, our ancestors created gives us a guide to extend our own creativity from them. I have, at present, three pieced tops of my own design ready for the long arm quilter. All they need, are backings.
A Four Way Bargello quilt I saw, where a woman used the colors of white, cream, light, medium, and dark beiges, leading up to a dark brown. While the pattern itself, was beautiful, what she didn’t see, and I did, was her chosen colors and design looked like a giant tarantula laying on top of her bed when it was finished. Sometimes, a creation needs a second opinion.
I’m very much interested in "checking out" the fast piece applique’ as mentioned in this book.
Keep smiling,
—Lynnita Shipman on November 22, 2012I had to chuckle when I read Kathleen’s comment on Nov. 20. I worked part time at a craft store and my boss asked me to teach a 3 day/ 3 week decoupage’ class to a group of teenage girls from "Juvie" who had behaviorial problems. They were escorted in with their chaperones and at the beginning of my class, when I explained what decoupage was, I also let them know, I wouldn’t put up with any crap from anybody. The girls had a choice of their own piece of decorative wood and designs. There were no problems, including with the usage of scissors, and paints. Each girl worked independantly and many forms of lacquer, varnish, and modge podge (looks like white glue, but dries clear) were used to layer their creations. At the end of these classes, with all the different varnishes, I’d be higher than a Georgia pine, and still had to drive home. The girls did ask for me to teach them another craft, but money wasn’t available. I did learn, some of these girls continued with different forms of creativity on their own, and a few become solid citizens.
Keep up the good work Kathleen. You never know how much your teachings, will touch the life of another.
Keep smiling,
—Lynnita Shipman on November 22, 2012I fall in love with fabric designers, and when I find one whose designs really rock me, I tend to purchase their entire collection from that year. For instance, I’ve purchased most of what Paula Nadelstern creates, stack up the main prints and coordinates in a bin, and then every so often I will stop and create 2 to 5 quilts & wall hangings out of what I have. Right now it’s Peggy Toole, who designs for Kaufman – her Flourishes and Florentine prints and coordinates are beyond gorgeous to me. I have an entire rubbermaid bin full of them at present, collections from several years, which is overflowing. My worst problem is figuring out exactly what to create with them. Will it be another variation of kaleidoscope blocks? Will it be a more advanced pattern like mariner’s compass? Will I need to keep it simple and let the main prints be the movie stars in my quilt? Would love to have some additional guidance on what to do with these fabulous collections of fabrics that just sits there and calls my name.
—Maarilyn Rose on November 23, 2012I think it would be fun to design a quilt. However, I’m not very experienced in making quilts, and have difficulty coming up with color selections.
—Carmen on November 24, 2012