I don’t know about you but one of the hardest decisions I have to make when starting a new project is which fabric should I use…..
Made using a panel and solids
I tend to look around at my stash and decide whether I want to work on something easy or something a little more challenging. If I decide on something quick, I head for my pre-cuts such as jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs or a panel.
I find that when using anything pre-cut that my quilt will get made up quickly as most of the cutting is already done and I might just need to make a few cuts before I’m ready to start sewing. Pre-cuts are great for when a gift is needed at short notice as they are so versatile and easy to use.
Panels are another go to item that I usually keep a few of. With a panel all you have to do is build up a design around the panel. I tend to add some sashing and then make up some pinwheels or four patches or similar, these are simple but effective and come together in no time at all.
If I decide that I want to work on something a little more challenging that’s when I head to my stash of printed fabrics and this sends my mind into overdrive….
I first look at my fat quarters and see if I feel like working with any of them, if I do, I take the ones that I have selected, open them up and iron them. Then I will look at them and layer them up, so they all cross each other and see if a design springs to mind. I have never used a written pattern, but I do look at pictures sometimes in books / magazines and work out how a quilt is put together or I will watch some MSQC tutorials and see if I like any of the designs made on there and replicate those.
Alternatively, I sometimes head towards my printed yardage and this I find the hardest to make a decision on. I will go through the fabrics until I find my eye continuously drawn towards one particular fabric and this will be the lucky chosen one!
I lay it out on my cutting table and think about a design that I think will suit the print. Next, I will look at my blenders and solids to find some contrasting fabrics that will work with my selected print, this will help with choosing a design. If it is a small print, I will cut the pieces smaller but if it is a large print, I will cut out 8-10 inch squares so that I can still see the design / print in the fabric.
Of course, like most of my quilting buddies on here, there are fabrics that I love so much I don’t have the heart to cut them up just yet…….!
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