As quiltmakers, we have many things in common. We love the process of making quilts. We may enjoy some parts more or less, however the overall making of the quilt - the choosing of pattern and fabric, measuring and cutting, stitching and pressing, sandwiching and quilting, and finally binding and signing – are common to all of us.
So how do you make the quilt you are making right now yours? How do you make it special for you? How do you make it uniquely yours?
First, the cutting and stitching will have your unique stamp, and at the end, what quilting design you choose may be different.
What about the actual quilt itself? The pattern, design and fabrics?
If you are making a kit, perhaps even a block of the month with a group of quilters and have two choices of colorways or fabric types, how do you make your quilt your own?
If you have chosen a pattern and love the colors and fabric shown in the photo, how can you do “the same” quilt, and still make it your own?
If you have chosen a pattern and wish to use a different color scheme or style of fabric, how do you do that?
It’s all about the fabric and the fabric choices.
And courage. Be brave enough to try something that might be out of your comfort zone, but which can become less overwhelming with practice.
Using kits
If kits are your go-to way to choose fabrics, break out by substituting one fabric with a similar but different fabric. You can search for a fabric that is the same colors, value and style of the fabric you are replacing. It’s a first step, and your quilt will be different than others made with that same kit. If you are making a block of the month with pre-chosen fabrics, change up one or two fabrics. It’s usually easier to change up the mediums or darks. Maybe even choose two fabrics to replace one dark or one medium, so that you are adding in some variety.
If you are ready to experiment a bit more, find a jelly roll or other pre-cut fabric group that can replace some or all of the kit fabrics. This will totally change the quilt, but it’s still safe because you know that the fabrics all go together well. One caution: remember to consider the values of the fabrics that you are replacing and try to find similar values in your pre-cut replacement fabrics.
Using patterns
You have found a pattern that you love, and want to replicate the quilt in its photo. The fabrics are out of stock. What do you do? You make this quilt your own. The pattern will outline the values and colors needed. You can do this. Start with the dark or medium fabric that you need the most of. Look for a fabric that has basically the same colors as the one pictured. Find the other mediums and darks needed, then look for a light that you like with the other fabrics you’ve chosen.
You have found a pattern that you love, and you want to make it in a different color scheme. The pattern tells you how much of each dark, medium, and light that you need, so go for it. Choose one fabric – preferably the one you need the most of – that you love in the color you want and value the pattern identifies. Use this fabric as the basis for choosing the rest of the fabrics, remembering to stick to the values called for in the pattern.
Now you might be ready to change up the values in the pattern you chose. Perhaps the sample quilt highlights the stars, and you want people to notice a different part of the design. Choose alternate values to help showcase that part of the design. In this case, color choice could help, but it’s likely that value choice is the surefire way to change the look of the pattern.
Your quilts can be your own. They don’t have to look like everyone else’s – unless you love that. You are the quiltmaker. You can make what you love.
Note: Would you like more information on choosing fabrics for your quilts? Check out my book Conquering Color and Fabric. If you would like to hear from me every so often, join my email list (and download the free pattern). I’ll keep you posted on when my online class will be available.