Quilting and Patchwork

Inspiration for Quilters

by Mary Emma Allen on July 31st, 2005

“Where do quilters find ideas?” beginning quilters often wonder.

*Books and magazines – There are any number of ideas on the printed page. The topics covered are almost endless incorporating information about patterns, quilt shops, shows, well-known quilters, history and more.

*Quilting classes – You’ll find classes in patchwork and quilting online, at senior centers, continuing education departments, town recreation centers, and guilds to name a few. The price and type, simplicity and difficulty will vary depending on what you’re looking for.

*The world around you – Quilters find inspiration from daily life and the world around them. My daughter incorporates the mountains of her home state into many of her designs, whether quilts, hangings, or post cards. Her children’s interests finds the way into quilts she makes for them.

*Family activities – Is your family sports minded; do they enjoy hiking and outdoor activities; does someone like cooking? These are just a few of the ideas you can design into your patchwork.

*Special occasions – Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries often give inspiration to quilt designs.

*Trips/traveling – Trips near home and far away can play a role when you decide to make a quilt. Even someone else’s travels may inspire a quilt design as they did for my granddaughter. When a visitor to her school told of living and working in Africa, my granddaughter came up with the idea of designing a hanging for her room based on this talk.

*Quilt shows – As you marvel at others’ work displayed at quilt shows, you may come home with ideas of your own. These won’t be designs you’ve copied but simply were inspired by the fellow quilters’ work.

*Historic sites – Attractions based on the history or natural wonders of your area or a place you’ve visited may inspire your work. When a popular natural attraction in our state, the Old Man of the Mountain, fell to the lake shore below, many quilters began creating quilts and hangings in memory of New Hampshire’s symbol.

*Family memories – As you research your family tree, you may find ancestors you can incorporate into a quilt. Or you may create a quilt for a gift with contributions from current family members.

Inspiration for quilts, hangings, clothing, postcards, and other items is all around you. As you become involved in this art, you’ll find you’re jotting down ideas wherever you go.

©2005

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POSTED IN: General Quilting/Patchwork