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Piecing and Patchwork
Piecing is what makes patchwork. Quilters
also make what is called a "whole cloth quilt". This is a quilt made of
just one piece of fabric- the beauty being in the quilting design.
However, that is for experienced hand or machine quilters.
Most quilters
enjoy the piecing process. In fact that is why quilters tend to over
press. It is enjoyable to look at your work and see how the colors and
patterns work together.
There are some general guidelines for
piecing. As you saw on the opening page, there are many types of fabric.
Not all of them lend themselves to piecing. In general, the large scale
prints, with lots of colors, are only suitable for squares and borders. If you tried to piece with them, your
patterns would not show.
Small scale 100% cotton prints are a
favorite with quilters and account for a large percentage of the fabric
purchased each year - which could wrap around the globe more than 2 1/2 times!
If you are a beginner, and just making
squares, you will will want some of the more "flamboyant" prints. Simple
designs look good large prints.
Quilter's often refer to these large prints
as the "stars". Remember that you also need a "supporting cast". Too many
large prints makes a quilt very busy. You need to break it up with solids
or fabrics that read solid from a distance.
Solid and small scale prints are usually
used to make designs like star bloacks. However, there are subtle large scale prints that
read solid that would also work.
As you can see from the picture to the left, you have two
yellow prints- one a large scale floral, and the other a small scale floral.
The large scale print would make a great border, or a very large square.
The small scale print could be cut up into small shapes without losing the
shape of the design.
All quilts are more interesting if both small and large
scale prints are used in the design.
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