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Old Doll Quilts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Penny_Halgren]Penny Halgren

Did you know that often girls two hundred years ago made their first quilt by the time they were seven years old?  And frequently that first quilt might have been made for their doll.

Yes, doll quilts.  While charming in their own right, they are difficult to find because during the period they were made, they were considered unimportant and insignificant.

Many were made from leftovers and got hard use from the little girls who owned them. Quilts made by young girls are likely to reflect their lack of refined skills in hand stitching.

Girls in the early nineteenth century were trained from the time they were very young in what was thought to be their life’s work.  Since a young girl would likely be stitching all of the clothing, linens and bedding for her home, before sewing machines, hand sewing was an important skill to learn.

It seemed natural, then, that doll quilts would be the perfect practice piece.  Not only were they small, but a girl could start with something simple, like strips, and then work up to making a nine patch, and even sewing curves.

Beyond that, if she chose, a young girl could piece a more complex design, using triangles as well as squares in her doll quilt.

Both girls and boys were taught to sew by their mothers, often before they learned how to read. A very small child might begin sewing using an unknotted thread, and then gain even more practice by counting threads on a scrap of fabric.

It was not uncommon for girls to be expected to complete a nine-patch by the time she was nine years old. Amazingly, some mid-nineteenth century diaries record quilt tops being finished by girls as young as five.

One quilter, Edith Bell Sims, says she began a quilt at age three, with her mother cutting the fabric, marked the sewing lines, and pinning the pieces together. Edith then stitched the patches - initially by hand and later on her new treadle sewing machine. Edith finished her quilt top by the time she was six.

Sewing was (and probably still should be) believed to inspire virtues deemed necessary for every child: neatness, attentiveness, patience, perseverance, and acceptance of routine and repetition.

Girls in upper class families also learned to do needlework, although they used finer materials and more intricate designs.  It’s not unusual to find crazy quilts using velvets, wools and silks that were made by children in upper class families.

Unlike children today, children in the 1800s had little other than their imagination to play with. Only the upper class could afford to purchase dolls imported from Europe, so children created dolls from sticks, hankies, corncobs, or whatever else they could find.

It wasn’t surprising that girls would want to create something just like they had for their dolls.  Often, the girls would take pieces left from worn out quilts and make them into quilts for their dolls.

Sometimes, they would replicate a bed size quilt using smaller pieces, to be sure to re-create the pattern of the bed size quilt top.  Other times, they would use patches left over from bed size quilts to make their doll quilts, even though the quilt top design would be lost.

Most of these quilts are pieced, not appliqué, and some have been made from children’s handkerchiefs printed with holiday or religious themes.

Due to labor saving devices, and smaller families, twentieth century mothers had more time to include creative components in their doll quilts - nursery rhymes, animals, and even pastel colors.

Quilts today are made in all different sizes, each for a different purpose.  Some large quilts have never seen the top of a bed, even though they are the size of a king size bed quilt.

It’s not unusual for a small quilt to be made to be a wall hanging, with no intention for it to be used as a doll quilt.  I wonder whether maybe some of those tiny quilts hung on walls and not doll beds.

Penny Halgren [http://www.thequiltingcoach.com/]http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
Penny has been a quilter for more than 26 years and enjoys sharing her quilting knowledge with beginner quilters so they can learn to quilt easily.

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Embellishments Give Your Quilt Personality
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Myers]Jan Myers

Nowadays, embellished quilts are the ‘in-thing’. Embellished quilts look very trendy and we can experiment with a variety of options with which to decorate the quilts. The primary objective of a good quilt is to keep us warm in bed. But many families use quilts also to celebrate different events of our life like weddings, birth of a baby, Christmas and other festivals and events. Many are used simply for decorations.

There are two important ways to guarantee that an embellished quilt is attractive to the eye. First and foremost, the quilt making has to be technically sound. If it is not constructed well, no matter how much we adorn it, the quilt will not look good and will wear out. Second, we must keep in mind that the accessories not only make the quilt attractive but also add weight to it. Thus the foundation fabric or the fabric with which the quilt has been constructed, must be strong enough to support the embellishments.

Lace, Ribbon, Beads or Paillettes, and Other Embellishments

The list of potential quilt embellishments is limited only by your unique creativity.  Following are just a few of them:

• Paillettes - These are small, circular pieces of luminous metal or plastic sewn on garments for decoration. They shine wonderfully when they catch light or sunlight. They can be used to decorate clothes, handbags and accessories. They are also great accompaniments for crafts such as frames, jewelry, lamps, and more. They are also fashionable as a knit, crochet and quilt embellishment.

• Beads – Beads can be used to add visual appeal.  They can be attached anywhere while adorning the quilt top or block and/or after the quilt sandwich has been created. We can attach the beads to the top coating or through the top layer and batting or through all three layers after creating the quilt sandwich.

• Buttons - Buttons can be sewed on in small clusters to enhance the appeal of a plain area. Buttons stitched onto folded ribbon or embroidery can also go a long way in making your quilt look exciting.

• Charms - Charms have gained tremendous popularity and can be found in discount stores, jewelry stores, flea markets, garage sales, and all over.

• Doilies - Doilies and other specks crochet can plug a plain shape marvelously.

• Embroidery - Embroidery can be done with the help of floss or silk ribbon. They go a long way in adding a delicate touch to the quilt. We can also use French knots for consistency and use outline stitches to characterize the edges of an area, which might need more focus.

• Lace - Lace can be added in numerous ways. It can either be stitched on flat or assembled to give it a full, more three-dimensional look. Lace can also be used in a pieced seam or inserted under the rim of an appliqué patch. We can even be fasten it on top of a seam to conceal it. Lace can successfully set up a contrast of texture yet is light and appealing to sew. Embellishment used on top of a lace such as stitching or beading areas intensifies the visual texture. It creates a intense feel both literally and visually and also helps the eye to slow down as it considers the area.

• Ribbon - Ribbons can be added in the shape of streamers and bows.

However, we must remember that the heavier the embellishment we use, the more quilting is required to prevent it from sagging. If the quilting is not done with care, the quilts will not lie flat. If heavy embellishment is used, hand quilting may makes for a better quilt to avoid ruining the embellishments with machine quilting.  Or, for the safety of the embellishments, the quilt, and the machine, machine quilt first, then embellish.

With a bit of care, embellishments can add a whole new personality to your quilt and make it a one-of-a-kind creation.

Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and books on topics
from organizational development and leadership to quilting. It was her
avocation, the love of [http://www.quiltingresourcecenter.com/]quilting,
that inspired the popular online membership site for [http://www.quiltingresourcecenter.com]quilters known as the
world’s largest quilting bee at [http://www.quiltingresourcecenter.com]www.quiltingresourcecenter.com

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Charm Quilts - A Magical and Charming Pastime
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Rogers]Pauline Rogers

Charm Quilts usually feature a single shape, such as a square, hexagon or diamond, with no two patches cut from the same fabric. Creating these enchanting quilts was originally popular from 1860 - 1900.

Charm Quilts are the type of quilt you only do once. It can be an enormous undertaking to accumulate the sheer number of fabric bits, each different, to complete this quilt.

The collecting is probably a large part of the appeal of a Charm Quilt, similar to that of “Charm Strings”. In the late 1800’s, the gift of a button was considered lucky and young girls collected and traded buttons.  Strung upon a string, every one of the buttons was different, each a special memento.

Collecting is a pastime many enjoy, with the challenge being to acquire as many different examples of an item as possible.

Scraps of fabrics gathered and traded with friends and relatives, sewn into a quilt, would have been an appealing hobby for young women. It would also be a reminder of pleasant times and the loved ones.

These quilts were at times called Beggar Quilts, referring to the method of attaining the fabrics. The name Charm Quilt is more common, and may have originated with the belief that pieces that came from so many hands possessed good fortune. The finished quilt acquired a magical quality - to be charmed or to bring good luck.

Renewed interest in this type of quilt began with the creation of Millennium Quilts in recent times - a version of a Charm Quilt with 2000 different fabric squares.

Just think how much fun it would be to collect, trade and touch so many different prints. To get started on your Charm Quilt go through your own stash. If you are a real fabric-holic you may be able to make a Charm Quilt from your own stash.

After you look at your own scraps for a while, go and look at another quilter’s scraps. You will notice that some of hers would go well with yours. You suggest a swap. As a fabric lover never forgets where a fabric came from, a bit of history begins to creep into your project.

Charming and charmed, a quilt with no two pieces alike is fun to organize, and fairly simple to make. This is a great chance to use all kinds of pieces - have a go. Start collecting today to begin on your memories for tomorrow.

Pauline Rogers has travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years, teaching the art of patchwork and quilting. She operates an award winning shop, Country Fabrics and Quilters, in Toowoomba, Queensland as well as a successful mail order and online service. She founded Quiltfest, an annual quilting event and Margie’s Quilts of Hope, a quilting challenge which raises funds for breast cancer research. Visit her website at [http://www.cfaq.com.au]http://www.cfaq.com.au.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Rogers http://EzineArticles.com/?Charm-Quilts—A-Magical-and-Charming-Pastime&id=312201

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How To Choose Good Sewing Machines For Quilting
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Will_Robins]Will Robins

Quilting has long been an art with the earliest American women creating beautiful quilts to adorn their homes. However, there is much more to it now than there was then. Today’s quilters can take partake in the massive technological advances sine then to create he most beautiful pieces. Instead of using a needle and thread, most individuals that quilt have a good sewing machine for quilting at home. Manufacturers have catered for the demands of the modern seamstress and made several good sewing machines for quilting. You just have to be able to choose the right one!

Good sewing machines for quilting will have a great feeding mechanism so that the head is easy to thread. The quicker you can thread it, the quicker you can complete even the most intricate of quilts. Of course, the choice of stitching options also makes a difference in this respect.  The wider the choice of stitching on a good sewing machine for quilting, the more appealing it is. These are all factors that need to be taken into consideration.

The bar length of a machine will also determine which models are good sewing machines for quilting and which are not. The general rule is the more room between the motor and the needle, the more options you have as far as the size of the quilt you can produce is concerned. The motor is of course is one of the most important parts of a good sewing machine for quilting. Although most sewing machines are designed for continuous use over a longer period of time, the heavy going that a quilt can bring is notorious for making the motor overheat. A good sewing machine for quilting is resistant to this for the most part and will offer you good value for money.

The needles that fit in the good sewing machine for quilting will also be an extremely important point for consideration. High quality needles will make all the difference to your work. Number 14 needles are the best option for quilting, but not all sewing machines will hold them. As soon as the needle is blunted, you should replace it with a new one, so ease of changing needles should also be a priority that you look for. [http://www.iheartquilting.com/]Good sewing machines

for quilting can really help you to enjoy your hobby rather than hindering it. A poor machine will leave you frustrated so it is well worth taking the time to research and choose from one of several good sewing machines for quilting. They may be a tad more expensive but they are worth every penny.

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Simple Baby Quilt for Beginning Quilters
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_Miers]Steve Miers

If you have recently learned to sew and are looking for an easy baby quilt to make for a gift for someone else or for your own child, there is a very simple quilt that you can make.  While it is simple in concept, it will be sure to steal the show at the baby shower and will be enjoyed by all who see it or use it.

Before you make the quilt, you need to decide on how you want the quilt to be used.  Is it going to go in the nursery to match the baby bedding?  Do you want it to be used for a pallet when the baby is napping?  Is it more of a play quilt that will be used to stimulate the baby’s senses or hold the baby’s toys while they play?  The answer to these questions will dictate what kind of quilt material you are going to use from soft pastels to vibrant primary colors.

Once you decide on the purpose of the quilt, it is time to go fabric shopping.  Go to your local fabric store and choose two coordinating fabrics, batting and coordinating thread.  You will need approximately 1 ¼ yard of each so that they can be cut down to make two large squares.  Wash the fabric before you do anything else.

After the fabric is washed and ironed, cut both pieces into same size squares.  Place one piece of fabric right side down on the floor.  Put the batting down next.  Place the second piece of fabric on top of the batting right side up.  Pin the fabric and batting together starting from the center and working out.  Using a quilter’s pencil and a straight edge, draw a diagonal line connecting opposite corners so that you have two diagonal lines that make an X.  Sew along these lines.  Decide which fabric you want to be the top and which to be the bottom.  Fold the bottom fabric over the top, folding twice, making a ¼” fold.  Sew on the fold the whole way around.

At this point you are done and have a cute, simple baby quilt.  You can choose to add other things to your quilt such as an appliqué to the top or tying the top and bottom of the quilt together with yarn in different spots.  Do whatever you want to do to make the quilt unique.  Since it is a baby quilt, don’t add embellishments such as buttons that could come off.  This fun, easy project can be completed in about 5 hours or less depending on your sewing ability and what additional items you add to the quilt.  Now it’s time for you to go pick your fabric and get started.

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African American Quilts Are A Great Investment in Art
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H]Sarah H

Perhaps one of the greatest skills of African Americans before they were liberated from their shackles of slavery was the art of textile weaving. However, this was an ability that was not well known as historians lent their focus to their languages, practices and religious beliefs. Initially men would uphold the tradition of textile weaving, however after the Africans were sold as laborers on American soil, many things changed.

African American slaves were made to work plantation lands for their slave masters in order to supply the world’s demand for crops such as sugar, tobacco, indigo, rice and many more. The Africans were over worked and inhumanely treated. Thus somewhere during this process the men no longer adhered to the tradition of weaving African American Quilts. This was now taken up by the women.

Due to the slave trade their textiles were also bartered heavily throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and the Southern United States. Thus the traditions of each distinct region became intermixed. So when early African American quilting became a tradition it was already a combination of textile traditions reflecting the artistic expression of African aesthetic, religious and cultural traditions.

Buying an African American Quilt illustrates one’s appreciation for cultural history. In the days of slavery African American Quilts were used as methods of communication. Many of the abolitionists would weave maps and star points that would serve as guides to slaves so that they could free themselves of their oppressive masters. Several quilts also demonstrate a fusion of cultures from the Africans who were traded to Caribbean and South American plantation owners. This synchronisation of culture and religious practices were also demonstrated in their artistic expressions on these quilts.

Other African American quilts tell of their religious practices and beliefs. For instance the use of shapes such as diamonds and circles symbolized life stages, with the points of the diamond for instance representing birth, growth, death, and re-birth. These African weavers who believed in the existence of evil spirits also used these quilts as a manner of expressing this and often creating distractions for the spirits.

African American Quilts were perhaps not given the due credit as a form of artistic expression that came from the African who was enslaved. Investing in an African American Quilt means that the owner appreciates the talent and artistic representation of these people.

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What You Did Not Know About African American Quilts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H]Sarah H

The textile traditions of African peoples are less popular than their customs and traditions. This can be largely due to the fact that historians have focused on documenting other aspects of African American  culture such as folk art, music, dance, or dialects. However, what is known can be traced back to the influence of four specific civilizations of Central and West Africa. These are the Mande-speaking peoples (who can be found in Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and Burkino Faso); the Yoruba and Fon peoples (in the Republic of Benin and Nigeria); the Ejagham peoples (in Nigeria and Cameroons); and the Kongo peoples (in Zaire and Angola).

As was with the slave trade so too their textiles, were traded heavily throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and the Southern United States. This inevitably led to the fusion of traditions of distinct regions. Thus by the time that early African American quilting became a tradition, it was already a combination of several different textile traditions.

Originally in Africa most of the textiles, were made by men. However, with the slave trade, the men were not able to uphold these traditions. Thus the African American slave women took over the tradition. Most of the patterns on these quilts are representative of a significant part of African tradition. For example, in Africa, there was an essential need to recognize people from far distances as this would serve as a crucial warning for tribes. Thus textile tradition of using large shapes and bright color was carried on.

The ability to recreate and change old patterns was of integral importance to many African tribes. A break in a pattern would mean a rebirth in the ancestral power of the creator or wearer. In addition, a break in a pattern also helped keep evil spirits away. Africans believe that evil travels in straight lines and a break in a pattern or line can confuse the spirits and slows them down. This tradition is highly recognizable in African American improvisation of European American patterns.

Quite popular in African textile tradition is the use of a diamond pattern. To them the diamond is symbolic of the cycles of life. Each point represents a stage in life: birth, life, death, and rebirth. The circle shape is also representative of this cycle. Also used in African textiles is script, often times either in native language or symbol, and more recently in English. The words and symbols are sewn into the patterns in a sacred and protective way such that they convey the knowledge, power, and intelligence of the quilt creator and wearer.

Quilts were often used during slavery years by members of the Underground Railroad as a method to convey messages. Log Cabin quilts made with black cloth were hung to mark a safe house of refuge. Some quilts marked escape routes that slaves could use to get out of a plantation or county. While many others marked the stars that would act as a night-time map through the country to freedom.

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How to Create an Art Quilt for the Wall
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Katrina_Sjoberg]Katrina Sjoberg

Having had my own studio space now for about three years, I thought perhaps I could share some of my experiences about becoming an art quilter.

The first requisite is that you have a passion for fabrics.  All kinds of fabrics, cottons, cotton blends, silks, organzas, tulles, yes, even rayons.  You love the texture of things.

I had been sewing my own clothes since secondary school in Finland where I grew up.  The fabric selection was minimal really because the emphasis was on home decorator fabrics like Marimekko.  NOW Marimekko graphics are used for everything, including rubber boots, and they’re really cute!!!

During my married life, I used a lot of textiles to decorate the home, you know, curtains, pillows, tablecloths, napkins, etc.  I wasn’t really thinking of quilting until I saw a demo by Eleanor Burns in 1978 in a mall fabric store and I decided to make a bed quilt with different color strips of fabric.  A pattern we know as Log Cabin, very basic, very old, very easy and fun to do.

Then in 2002 my husband was seriously ill, came home and needed lots of attending to.  I had to find something I could do at home to pass the time, to stimulate my creative juices and to take my mind off the everyday challenges and problems.  So I started to go to the fabric stores, looked at magazines, found some interesting books and began sewing again.

So, the second requisite is that you like to explore, to read, to go to classes, to be willing to just start sewing something!  You never know what’s going to ignite your creativity - watch Simply Quilts or Quilt Central on TV for a while.  I guarantee you’ll see some image, some pattern, some technique that you would like to try.

The third requisite is that you have access to a sewing machine, if not your own, a friend’s or family-owned machine.  Go check out the new machines, you’ll be amazed at what they can do nowadays!  You can also find a used one at garage sales, a flea market or a newspaper ad.  The sewing machine is your friend, the most important tool you’ll need as you begin creating exciting things.

The fourth requisite is that you free yourself up from limited thinking about what works and what doesn’t work.  Many older techniques and views are being thrown out the window in favor of new ides and new techniques.  This is not to say that you should give up good construction techniques and settle for something thrown together in a hurry, with threads hanging all over and unfinished details.

So, this is how you begin your creative fabric art journey! There will be more tips in future articles.  In the meantime, you can check out my website at: [http://www.katrinasjoberg.com]www.katrinasjoberg.com  and see if you find something that inspires you to try this art form!

Good luck and have fun!

Katrina Sjoberg has worked as a fabric artist for the past 3 years, designing her own wall quilts in her studio space in Vista, CA.  She is very happy that many have enjoyed and continue to appreciate her unique designs and she continues to experiment with a variety of textures, paints, surface embellishments and fabrics.

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The Quilt: What May Be Fabric To One May Be A Special Memory To Another
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rick_Hayes]Rick Hayes

In one’s life, there are those very special moments that may appear trivial to some, but could be a vision of priceless values to others. Moments that is a creation through a certain object, time, or atmosphere. At a recent annual family gathering, I received a very special priceless moment from a simple but heart-touching creation.

We received on this day the gift of a perfect autumn afternoon. The annual reunion of family gathered under the park shelter, each acknowledging how the beautiful fall colors and the serenity of the surroundings added to the laughter and friendship of family. The whispering aroma of the barbecue brought the sense of flavor for this joyous occasion.

As we gathered in a family circle to give thanks for blessings received, my uncle began to share the words of being grateful for all that we were given. My uncle then paused for just a moment, and acknowledged family members who were with us in spirit. It has been several years since a loved one in our family has moved on, but they are the true reason why the gathering under a park shelter on this autumn afternoon was together as family.

The lines begin forming to fill plates with a delicious bounty, but my thoughts were not immediately moved toward the tables filled with homemade delicacies. What captured my attention was the spiritual energy of my grandmother near a table adorned with something other than our family meal. She was smiling with pride as if to relay she felt very lucky to be remembered so. I did not understand why she was standing near this particular table, but always know my grandparents would never miss a family gathering. As I moved toward the line, I glanced over once again to see if my grandmother was still smiling. Her presence was no longer visible, but I felt her smile even more. Later I found the reason why.

Earlier arriving at the park shelter, it was a request that I walk over to a certain table and write down an estimated guess of the number of small bands encased within a large glass jar. This was no surprise, as each of our family reunions include a bit of creativity. I stood at the table and looked at the jar filled with the small colored bands and silently stated that the task would be nothing but a complete guess. Suddenly I heard the words “you’re the oldest, write down what you hear.” Again I was in complete confusion, but wrote down the number ‘208’.

My aunt announced that the correct number of bands in the glass jar was 212, and that I was the closest with 208. What she placed in my hands was a special moment – for the gift was a hand-made quilt made from some of my grandmother’s dresses she wore.

Looking down at the quilt, I then knew why I had saw my grandmother standing near that table with a beautiful smile. It was the same table the quilt was carefully placed as part of this family gathering. As my fingers carefully touched the fabric of grandmother’s dresses, I knew this was one of those special moments in my life’s plan. I am my grandparent’s first grandchild, and grandmother brought to my life memories of love and devotion to family.
To some it may appear as a simple quilt, quite possibly even a bit trivial. For me, this object, time, and atmosphere will always be - a priceless moment.

Author and National Speaker Rick Hayes is the founder of LifesGift, an association that supports his psychic medium abilities. As a Paranormal Communications Consultant, Rick consults on a daily basis with those that have questions regarding life after death and one’s daily path on earth.

Born and raised in a Christian environment, his belief that our creator has given to us the gift of everlasting life through faith has remained throughout his earthly plan.

As a published author, Rick writes a column for the LifesGift website (Rick’s LifesNotes) where he shares his thoughts of life and life-everlasting. His articles have also appeared on numerous websites and publications.

Rick’s published books include “You’re Not Crazy, You Have A Ghost” and the inspirational “Stepping Stones-Thoughts Along Life’s Path”.

As a speaker and lecturer, Rick shares his thoughts on life and life-everlasting with a friendly and comfortable demeanor. Rick has appeared on television, radio, and live events and is available for speaking and media engagements by contacting Rhonda at LifesGift.

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Color The Most Crucial Aspects Of Any Quilt
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Frost]Michelle Frost

Color is one of the most crucial aspects of any quilt. Working in connection with fabric texture, these two elements constitute a quilt’s personal feeling or story. But what exactly is the “story” of a quilt, and how does color inform that process? Creative quilter and all around artist Wendy Nash lends insight into these questions.

Nash explains that she always wants the colors of her quilts to open a dialogue.She begins the process by laying all her available colors out on a large table or surface. Then she simply sees which ones naturally accent the others. When colors are particularly heightened and vibrant either on their own or due to the relationship with another color, she calls that “making the colors sing.” Needless to say, Nash wants her quilts to sing.

Once she has established which colors open up a desirable dialogue or song, she builds the quilt around that idea. Perhaps it’s a deep purple trimmed with a soft pastel peach. Perhaps its inky black accented by shocking white. Whatever the colors, this is Nash’s starting point. She then proceeds to pin these colors together and hang them in a prominent place in her home. She simply tacks them on a bulletin board and picks a place she knows she’ll walk by frequently. Nash calls this stage of the process “living with the colors.” She gauges how the presence of the colors affects her mood and feelings, and if the evoked feeling is desirable, she proceeds with her quilting project.

For Nash, color is a very interactive part of the creative process. When she’s determining which colors to use, she doesn’t even solely rely on sight. Instead, she brings in the more esoteric element of feeling. According to her, the most important job of a quilt is that it conveys certain feelings to people.

The interesting part of quilting is that the particular feeling doesn’t have to be the same for every viewer. Each person can interact with the colors and the finished product in varying and different ways, but so long as the experience is interactive (opens up a dialogue between the viewer and the piece) Nash feels she has created a successful piece of art.

Colors can be such a rich and rewarding part of a quilt. They lend so much substance to an artistic project, and color has that unique ability to evoke strong emotions or remind us of important memories. But there is an aspect of color that is both a major benefit and a major drawback. It is the quality of color which allows it to change so easily with different lighting.

Firstly, the benefits of this quality can be breathtaking. A quilt in one light can look like an entirely new quilt in another light. Even moving the quilt back and forth in the same light can lend the piece different shades nuances of the same color scheme. This makes the finished product incredibly versatile and interesting. It almost takes on a human like personality, altering and changing in different situations. This allows for a piece with tremendous character.

However, the downside is that very same quality. Because colors are so susceptible to change, what looks pleasing in one light can be very unattractive or undesirable in another. Therefore, quilter Wendy Nash suggests always picking out your colors in a very well-lit room or area. If you don’t, you’re only going to be surprised when the product is finished. Perhaps that surprise will be good; perhaps it won’t. This is another reason Nash suggests “living with the colors” before you put the final product together. That way you have a chance to see how the colors interact with light and shadow at different times of the day.

Nash even cautions against buying fabric in different parts of the world. For example, she once bought fabric in Finland. However, when she returned home, the pieces looked so drastically different. This disparity was due to the fact that the light in Finland is inherently different. (At differing times of the year, Finland experiences days with practically no sun and days with practically no darkness.)The important thing is not to understand how every color is going to behave in every situation. It is merely that you as a quilter understand that color possesses this propensity to change and that you plan accordingly.

Creative quilter Wendy Nash always emphasizes the importance of color. She preaches using varied and interesting colors and always ensuring that those colors interact in a meaningful and artistically significant way. However, so much about color is personal. If it weren’t, everybody would immediately have the same response to the often asked question “what’s your favorite color?”

So it is important to note that the vast majority of colors carry universal connotations. Black is almost exclusively associated with the mysterious or even dangerous, while white typically embodies everything pure, clean and angelic. These are feelings and emotions that the colors naturally evoke. However, it is the personalized element of color that is so important to keep in mind when quilting. Everybody responds to colors differently. Despite so many of these universal connotations, it is still common that what one person deems beautiful can conjure distasteful emotions in another. This is especially important if you are making a personalized or custom quilt for a customer. Therefore, make sure that customer is absolutely involved when picking out a color scheme.

The second thing to keep in mind is that personal tastes naturally change. Whether it’s just because you grow up or because your preferences have altered for some other reason, it’s perfectly natural and expected for colors to say different things to you at different times. Understand that colors have the ability to either stimulate or relax. Make sure that in the moment you’re creating a quilt for somebody, the colors accomplish the desired results.

The last point is not to fear experimentation. Some of the most brilliant and unexpected color couplings have resulted from simple trial and error. If you place all your available scraps on a large surface and simply start shuffling pieces around, shocking and delightful pairings will reveal themselves.

While color seems like a fairly straightforward part of any artistic project, it is actually very complex. Consider the aforementioned suggestions and tips, and you may truly surprise yourself with the beautiful and personal work you create.

Michelle is a quilting enthusiast who has turner her hand to helping other quilting enthusiast’s make money from quilting. Her free membership site http://www.creative-quilting.com offers both quilting howto and quilting business advise.

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