Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Modular quilt tutorial part 1

This is the fabric that I am going to use in the next modular quilt so you will see it taking shape over the next few posts.  As I am choosing the fabrics I am thinking about the sizes I will cut the pieces.
Here are some more of the fabrics.  The smaller prints will be cut into the smallest pieces, the ones with a motif I want to see more of will be cut larger.
I like to work with multiples of a number.  In a lot of my quilts it is 3".  It needs to be multiplied by 2, 3, 4, and 5, or in other words, count by 3's.  So my modules will finish at 3", 6", 9", 12" and 15".  Once you have the numbers figured out you need to add 1/2" (.5) to each of them so my cutting sizes are 3.5", 6.5", etc.

The rectangles can be any 2 of the numbers such as 3.5" x 9.5" or 6.5" x 12.5" and of course all of the numbers can be cut into squares.  I know the large elephant will be in a 15.5" square.
This piece might be a long skinny vertical rectangle to get the whole design in one piece.  You can see in the photo below that is says Escher Heirs on the selvage.

I will start cutting today and continue the tutorial tomorrow.  When I make a modular quilt I just start cutting pieces and playing with them on the design wall.  I don't pre-plan my design.
If you go back to this post you will see that several of the fabrics I am using are a gift from a friend.  Thanks, Diane.

17 comments:

hetty said...

Great tutorial! I love the idea of seeing one of your quilts come together. Those fabrics are fantastic!

Unknown said...

A modular quilt will be fantastic in the Dutch prints. Looking forward to seeing this progress.

HollyM said...

What gorgeous fabrics. It's going to be beautiful!

patty a. said...

The fabrics are so wonderful and they give me chills! I look forward to see this quilt develop!

LynneP said...

I'm looking forward to reading your complete tutorial on this subject. I, too, like modular quilts very much. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Lynne said...

I am really looking forward to this series aboout modular quilts! You continue to teach and inspire me.

Jody said...

now I KNOW that you are making this one for me since I am Dutch and elephants are my all-time favorite creatures, right?

Sue said...

Thank you for the tutorial. I look forward to the next segment. These fabrics are beautiful! This quilt will be stunning.

Penny Schine Gold said...

Thanks so much for making a tutorial for a modular quilt! I'll be interested to see the free-form as well as deliberate sizing.

Impera Magna said...

What beautiful fabrics!!! Looking forward to watching your modular quilt take shape!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful fabrics and thanks so much for the tutorial! this sounds so interesting.

liz said...

I can't wait to see how this works! I am trying to figure out how to best use my Loulouthi fabrics and this might be it!

I appreciate all of the time and effort it takes to let us in on your process. Thanks for your generosity in doing so!

Rebel said...

love that Escher fabric! And the elephant too. A bit of a departure from your usual colors - but I just love them!

Anonymous said...

Every one of those prints are just wonderful on their own. I can hardly wait to see this one grow. I love blue yah know. (*._,*)

J~MT

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Oh, yippee, I can't wait! Those fabrics are delightful.

Cathi said...

What a great tutorial -- I can't wait to see this quilt come together as the fabrics are wonderful!

Diane said...

Dutch wax prints, YAY! I knew I was passing these unique fabrics on to the right person. Can't wait to see how you use them