Exploring the Basics: Picking a Pattern

In this post, we are going to explore choosing a pattern.  Ah...fun, right?  And yet sometimes stressful.  I get it. I would LOVE to tell you I have the ideal solution to ensure you pick exactly the right pattern.  Ah, dear friend, if only.  But....I will provide some guidance and suggestions to make sure you're pretty darn ok with the pattern you DO select!

First, your homework from last time - did you do it?  And if you missed the blog post, just click here and read it, then come back and let's get started!

So homework - here's what my responses look like:

Projects I'm considering:

    Fusible applique flowers   

• this one is a "just for me" project, because the flowers I have in mind are a personal favorite
• because I won't have a pattern, my estimated time to complete this project is about 4 weeks

    Baby quilt

• of course this is for my grandchild!  He can NEVER have enough quilts
• I plan on selecting a simpler pattern, so guesstimate is about 2 weeks, start to finish

    Small hand embroidered mini

• this is from my Bucket List (more on that in later posts!), so no recipient in mind
• because it will be a pattern in development AND because there is handwork involved, my estimated time for this project is about 3 weeks

What does YOUR list look like?  What were your projects?  Why those projects?  And what kind of time are you looking to invest - or do you think the project will take you?  All great things to consider.

Let's narrow things down.  For the purpose of this narrative, I'm going to use the baby quilt I want to make as an example.

I've been to my local quilt shop (thank you for supporting your local quilt shop!) and combed over the many many selections.  Or I've browsed my favorite designer's website (thank you for supporting independent designers!) and have found some possibilites. So here are my contenders.  How do I choose the best pattern for MY needs?

Let's look at the options I have above.  All are about the same size - in the 40s x 60s range.  So relatively small - perfect for a crib quilt.  Check!

But wait - didn't I say this was for my grandson.  So should I automatically discount the two in the center (Ashley Elayne and Peaks and Valleys)?  Those are distinctly NOT boy fabrics.  Ah...that's where you want to practice looking BEYOND the fabrics and look at the lines of the quilt itself.  

I know, I know.  That isn't always the easiest thing to do.  It is super easy to become distracted by the awesome fabrics and terrific color combinations.  But that's one of the joys of quilting - the ability to take any project and make it YOURS.  

So I won't rule out a quilt based on the fabrics used on the cover.  So what DO I consider?

Project Size

I want to make a crib quilt, so I'm looking for patterns that offer the option of a smaller size.  72" x 90" is NOT going to work for this project.  

Become a Pattern Detective and go beyond the cover picture.  Look on the front and on the back to see what size or sizes the pattern offers.

Pattern Lines

This one is a bit harder, but here's what I mean by this.  Let's look at Ashley Elayne.

What I notice first (beyond the pretty fabrics) are the strong lines.  This will work well with a lot of different fabrics, not just soft florals.  In fact, if I'm willing to brave some awesome stripes or plaids and mix in some "reads as solids", I have a nice graphic quilt on my hands.

This may help to - and get permission, if you are in a store.  Take a picture of the quilt cover and convert it to black and white.  Ah....a completely different story, right?  Now you CAN see the lines of the quilt without the distraction of colors.  

Find lines that appeal to you.

 

Complexity of Project

How much time do you want to spend on the project?  Are you looking for something that is quick - perhaps a weekend project?  Or are you wanting to get lost in the process of cutting, stitching, pressing and slowly creating a new quilt?  All things to consider.

While all of my potentials are about the same size, a few look to have more pieces and more fabrics than the others.  

This is a great time to peak inside the pattern (if the shop allows it) to get a gander at how many different blocks make up the quilt, and what the assembly looks like.  

In fact, looking at Peaks and Valleys, it looks like a simple shape repeated over and over.  So while I do see a lot of different fabrics (more on that later), I feel like once I got the block or blocks down, I'd probably be good.  Probably.

Hmmm....still not sure?

 

Technique

Are you looking to try a new technique?  Or to hone your skills in a newly acquired process?  Or to make something in a favorite style?  Perhaps you've fallen in love with English Paper Piecing and are getting ready to take a cross country road trip with the family, so you want a great hand project for all those hours in the car.

All things to consider.

Let's go back to my example of making a crib quilt.  I want something fairly quick.  And while I love Confetti, it is a paper pieced quilt.  

I love paper piecing.  But I also know it will take me a bit longer AND I'll have the pesky task of pulling out all those little papers in the end.  Ah - so nix Confetti from the list.

 

Skill Level

Now this is a highly subjective area, but still worth considering.  

Does the pattern have a skill level listed?  Yes, dear reader, Beginner can mean different things to different folks, all true.  But....if the pattern lists the skill level as Intermediate or Advanced, and you consider yourself a beginner, you realistically may have a challenge on your hands.  Just saying.

On the other hand, if you are an experienced sewer and the pattern is listed as a beginner, you may find it boring.  Or if you're looking for a quick project, it might be just the ticket!

 

Number of Fabrics

Everyone has a comfort level with how many fabrics they like to work with.  I did a quilt once with 35 different fabrics.  It was awesome!  But most wouldn't feel that way.

You know what your comfort level is.  You also may be working with your existing stash, or within a certain budget.  You may love scrappy quilts, but the pattern you are drawn to is a three fabric quilt. Can you do it?  Sure!  But know ahead of time that you've created a bit more work for yourself in that you'll have to do some estimating as to how much of each of your scrappy fabrics you'll need AND where they will go in the quilt.

If I'm looking for a limited color scheme or number of fabrics, Modern Churn with only five fabrics might be my choice.  Really, I would only need four fabrics that play nice with a single background - so if number of fabrics/colors are a consideration, that might influence my choice.

Favorite Designer/Author

One last consideration - do you have a designer or book author that you really like?  Perhaps you've made another pattern by them and found their style of writing and/or illustrating very easy to understand.  If so, when looking for a new project, check out what the shop or website has by that designer.  

I mentioned a few things above that I want to revisit. In the next post, I'll be talking about choosing your fabrics. I did mention that the number of fabrics a pattern calls for may be a consideration. But first we have to select a pattern.  

If at all possible, take a look at the pattern itself.  Inside.  See how the instructions are laid out.  Look at the cutting directions.  Every designer has their own writing style and there are a lot of variations here.  Make sure that the writing style works with your understanding so that you'll have a successful project!

A couple of years ago, I did a Facebook live on reading a pattern.  You may find it adds some additional useful information.  You can find that video here - and I've included it here in the blog post.

I'm looking forward to seeing what pattern you choose for your next project.  Look it over, and then come back when we talk about choosing fabrics for a project!

Head over to Kate's blog.  She has, as always, great insights for you as well on selecting that perfect pattern.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!