Pointers To Help With Using A Quilt Design Wall

By Christa Jarvis


You might not have heard of walls for designing quilts but in fact they are a highly useful and attractive feature for sewers. This unique accessory makes it possible to see how fabrics will work together in advance of finishing a quilt. Simply sticking patterns and fabric samples to the wall will give you a preview of the finished product. This guide has a range of pointers for using a quilt design wall in your work space.

This very practical and attractive addition to a working area has multiple uses. First of all, it allows you to get a broad view of how fabrics are working together. In the past, many quilters used the floor to lay out blocks. They may have had to stand on a stool in order to see the full effect of their layout.

As an alternative, the design wall allows you to stick fabrics too it to get an immediate idea of the visual effect. Simply taking a few steps back allows you to view the overall harmonies of colors and patterns. Large design walls are great for working with many different fabrics at the same time and still keeping an eye on the overall visual appeal.

Quilters know that part of the joy of this discipline is the opportunity to bring together a variety of colors and shades. This is an area where the design wall is a wonderful asset. It lets you easily place colors together and try out different combinations.

One practical tip is to start out small by placing a few swatches on the wall at first. This is a good way to plan a larger quilt through working out the core colors and patterns. You can even start with small swatches in order to keep waste to a minimum.

Another idea is to create a miniature block using the pattern that you plan to utilize in your quilt. That means downsizing the pattern to very small dimensions. This allows you to cut out sample fabrics and see how they look without wasting large quantities.

The great thing is that a miniature block does not have to go to waste either. Over time, you may accrue a number of mini blocks which can be sewn together to create a miniature quilt. Alternatively, you might use them in home furnishings such as cushions.

Some other possible uses for design walls relate to matching patterns. Quilters have to think about not just colors but patterns and how they will work together. For example, polka dots, strips and florals may seem like a jarring combination. However, the most experienced quilters can make all these patterns work together. A design wall is an excellent tool for merging diverse patterns of fabric. For more handy tips relating to this tool, including how to make one yourself, check out the Internet for some free guides. Online you can find a variety of blogs and websites which are dedicated to quilting and sewing. There are also a number of magazines which focus on providing quilters with practical articles and guides.




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