Recently I published my first quilt pattern, Whirl n Twirl in the Make Modern Magazine, edition 34. A brave step for me and a wonderful learning journey. Imagine how excited I was when I found out it was 'cover quilt'. So I thought I’d discuss a bit about Whirl n Twirl, and its journey.
When I was designing Whirl n Twirl, the main feeling I wanted to viewer to feel was joy. For so many reasons, I love the process and wanted to share this, and I do believe that you should have things in your home that bring you joy. I also wanted a quilt, that if gifted would be one that was happy and bright, again bringing joy.
So starting off with a joyful quilt idea, I decided it should use a simple but visually effect pattern. It needed to be suitable for ALL skill levels. After playing around with starting various shapes, I was reminded of the spinning paper windmills that you can buy at a country show or even make. Who didn’t love those as a child, I was always fascinated by the colours and movement. That became my starting point. There are actually several versions of that design, but Whirl n Twirl was the one that I chose to explore, refine and make into an actual quilt. (It does have a friend coming out soon, but its secret at the moment…) The first design is rarely the actual design I go with. I see things that appeal in the design and things that just don’t work and brainstorm from there! Sometimes, okay a lot of the time, I end up with a couple of quilt designs from the one idea, I choose my favourite to work with. Some I will store in the “to be worked on” folder, some get put into the “maybe one day folder” and others get “What was I thinking!” and put straight into the bin.
Visual interest in a quilt is important to me, as a quilt maker the quilt will have a different meaning to me than the viewer. (Honestly, only a quilter truly knows the time, love and skill that goes into a quilt.) So I like to keep this in mind when designing. Also, I like to work in grey scale initially to ensure I get a balanced composition, before adding colour. My favourite part…
There are SO many beautiful colour ranges available, sometimes that I get overwhelmed with too much colour! Fortunately my wonderful family will see it and say, “Um, scale it back.” I’ve learnt to then take a break from it, returning with fresh eyes and most of the time I realise, yes, I’ve gone a little colour crazy, and scale it back! (Sometimes, that’s exactly the effect I’m after!) I am also a bit of a lover of black and white, I love the contrast and tension between them so like to have these as solids in my quilts. There is something about the crispness created when adding clean colours to them. (Clean colours: crisp bright colours rather than muddy colours)
With a final design I then go to the fun part, working out the fabric requirements. I love maths, so actually enjoy this process. Then it is time to create. I will always make a test block first to check all my measurements and pattern. (These are fun to combine into the back of the quilt or make into a cushion.) With my fabrics chosen, I layout the colourway and start sewing! For my version, I chose to use Good Vibes range, I love the colours and the cute text of positive words. Perfect for what I wanted to create. (But… there are endless possibilities with this design)
I will also write up the pattern instructions while I am making it, then I can quickly add in tips or modify things if they don’t flow so well. Once the quilt is finished, another part I love is photographing the finished quilt. I am so blessed to have an amazing landscape literally on my door step. So I schedule a morning (or afternoon depending upon the lighting I want) grab my coffee, camera, quilt, any props I want and off I go. Then home for editing and it’s done! Time for sharing.
Whilst I love the whole process (even the tedious repetitive bits, because we all know there are some), seeing what someone else creates with my design is so special. So, please share, I love to see what you have created. #whirlntwirlquilt #breakawaydesignspatterns
If you would like to make the quilt Whirl n Twirl, the pattern is available in the Make Modern magazine #34, click here to purchase. (this is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission if you chose to purchase)
I love what I do and am excited to share my journey with you.
Stay safe and most of all, Happy sewing!
Anita : -)
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