A Patchwork quilt is usually skipped over when quilters are thinking about their next project. They are often, and incorrectly, thought of as something that dusty old people make. This is far from the truth. Even a quick look at what people are doing with patchwork quilts today will show that they are set to make a roaring comeback!

Why is this the case? Well there are a number of reasons:

Patchwork Quilts are Deceptively Easy

Many people think that crafting one of these kinds of quilts is a slow and complex process, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are using a pattern on your quilt, all you have to do is set up some grid lines as a guide and you will be able to divide up your patterns relatively quickly with a little bit of repetition. If you are making a more traditional design, the hardest part is deciding which patches go where – and thats something I can’t help with.

Any Pattern You Want!

Many people automatically think ‘Squares!’ when they visualise a patchwork quilt. This doesn’t have to be the case. I have seen a number of quilts that use circles, hearts, stars and many other shapes. The most impressive one I saw used a complex celtic design that connected at the corner of each patch. I was so impressed that I actually have something similar planned for my next project!

Make ANY picture or design into a Patchwork Quilt

Thats right, with a slight amount of work, you can make any pattern into a quilt! Just make sure that if its a smaller design, that you are able to get enough copies to cover the entire quilt. But fear not – if you find that you don’t have enough of a pattern to cover the entire quilt, group them around the middle, trim off the edges and add on a new or similar coloured edge to your quilt. The edge can be as wide or thin as you like, its really only there to frame your pattern.

These are only the most common reasons I love crafting a patchwork quilt, when you make your own one, I am confident you’ll discover all the other little reasons its great to work with patches!