When making a quilt using the same repeated pattern from side to side and top to bottom it’s called edge to edge quilting. This is because the same pattern runs from one edge to the other. Whether it consists of just one pattern or several, the repeated patterns sewn together creates the same effect over the entire quilt.

Edge to edge quilting is difficult to be sewn by hand, because the patterns are repeated. Hand sewing makes it difficult to exactly repeat them. Once the squares are made, sewing the individual blocks together by hand is fairly quick work. A word of caution: care must be taken when edge to edge quilting to make sure that all the patterns are placed facing the same direction and that their repetition follows the same spacing and order over the entire side of the quilt.

True edge to edge quilting will have the same repeated pattern on both sides. However, most quilters opt to leave the opposite side with a solid color cloth rather than use the pattern. That solid color may be a color that matches one of the shades on the edge to edge quilting side. Usually, the quilter will begin at one side and work it until the entire side is complete. From there she will work top to bottom, piecing the patterns together to form the finished product.

Balance Color and Thread throughout the Project

Since only two or three designs are used through the entire quilting process, edge to edge quilting offers an economy in the work. It also affords a more balanced thread count over the face of the quilt. In addition, it allows color contrasting of light and dark cloth and thread that patchwork quilts cannot duplicate.

Typically with edge to edge quilting only one color of thread will be used when sewing the blocks together. The quilter needs to determine how the thread should show. With two different patterns of material, color can be hidden in half the blocks and visible in the rest. Or a contrasting thread can be used as added decoration over the entire quilt.

When first deciding to make a quilt, give careful thought to the individual who will be receiving the quilt. Their age and their gender are two factors to take into consideration when trying to decide on patterns and styles. A young girl may not have the same taste as her mother, and you will want to make certain your gift if appreciated.

Quilting stencils work to make quilt designs even more creative. Quilters who use quilting stencils are only limited by their imagination. You can create anything from stars to flowers to you actually designing your own creations. Quilting stencils will work to make it easier to demonstrate your expression of love that you have for the person for whom you are creating the beautiful quilt. You can truly be ingenious with the stencils and even create quilts that perfectly match your décor. Stencils are not difficult to use when quilting. It will only take you a few steps to begin to use this easy design tool.

Following an Outline

Quilting stencils are somewhat different than a standard painting stencil would be. Quilting stencils have little holes in them. These holes show where you are to place the stitches. This ensures that your pattern remains consistent each and every time you use it. It would not be a good thing if some of your flowers, or whatever design you are making, were larger than the others. Nobody wants to produce a crooked design.

Once you’ve placed your quilting stencil on the fabric, next you will need to mark the fabric. Whatever tool used to mark the quilting stencils is up to the individual quilter and probably will depend on the type of fabric being used. Chalk, fabric markers, or even soap work well for marking. Each of these will wash out of the fabric.

Using stencils for your quilts can save both time and money. Previously, you would have had to create your own stencils and you might not have consistent pieces. Perhaps you even had to redo some of them simply because they were not the same as the rest. Not only did you waste your time, you might have wasted more fabric than was necessary. Even more money can be saved on quilting stencils if you shop online. In fact, you may very well be able to find that just-right design absolutely free. All it takes is paper and the ink to print it out then transfer it to a blank stencil sheet.

Expanding Creativity

If you use quilting stencils it will ensure that your pieces will be equal and consistent. By using the quilting stencils, you can express your creativity easily. These stencils offer you a limitless variety of designs. It is especially helpful if you’re not so great at drawing or if you are not so creative. Stencils can save time and money, so you can invest both in doing other things that you would like to do with your quilting piece. Some stencils can even be accessed for free. To find free quilting stencils, you will need to spend a little time in research, but it is worth it!

For some quilters, scrap quilting is a practical way in which to use the leftover fabric scraps from other projects. For others, scrap quilting has become the art of combining odds and ends pieces of fabric to create a beautiful finished piece with loads of charm and individuality. For the dreamers of the group, the scrap quilt was a symbol of charm and magic. The old legend of these quilts says that any quilt that is created with 1000 different pieces became a charmed covering. Any dreams one dreamed while snuggling beneath would most assuredly come true. Whatever your ideas are about the art of scrap quilting, it is a craft that has been passed down for many generations, and has now been renewed with a modern take on an old favorite.

The Victorian Era

It was during the Victorian era that the legend of these charmed quilts began, following in the footsteps of the many young single women who would string buttons on a thread. It was believed that the gentleman who brought the 1000th button to her would be her male suitor by the hand of fate. Whether true or not, the legend undoubtedly gave many young women the opportunity to approach a desirous male with the request for that sought after button. Scrap quilting of that day consisted mainly of darker, more somber colors that reflected the times. They were usually created in a simple square pattern, although other, more complex patterns may have been used as well.

Scrap Quilting in the 20th Century

Although the popularity of the scrap quilting waned in the 1800’s, by the 1920’s this style of quilting once again became well known and widely used. The scrap quilting of this age was more apt to be orderly in nature. It was often complemented with a single color that consistently ran throughout or may have been added as a border. Many people still own one of these scrap quilts that a family member might have made, which is undoubtedly an attractive addition to a bed or the wall. Today, scrap quilting is still a popular art form, with many creative quilters going to great lengths to produce artistic pieces that are unique and abstract in form.

For many generations, scrap quilting has been a popular method for utilizing extra pieces of fabric. Today it has become a creative way for a quilter to express herself through an artistic endeavor. If you are a quilter, don’t throw away any of those odd scraps. You never know when you might be inspired to create a scrap quilt of your very own making.