Good Morning, Quilters and Doodlers!
Today we are going to doodle a whole cloth quilt similar to Henry’s car and truck quilt.
The first thing to decide is the compositional style.
What is a Compositional Style?
Basically, a composition is a way of arranging the elements (motifs).
Choosing a composition simplifies our design work by dividing the quilt or quilt block into more manageable segments.
We will discuss a variety of compositional styles over the next few weeks. Today let’s start with a basic composition-the Horizontal composition.
Horizontal Composition
To create a horizontal composition, divide the quilt or quilt block into horizontal stripes.
The lines can be evenly or unevenly spaced.
Horizontal Variations
The lines can be wavy and evenly spaced.
And they can be wavy and unevenly spaced.
Add Motifs
Once you’ve chosen the composition, pick a few motifs.
(Page through Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 and More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 for ideas!)
Start with just a few motifs to suit your theme, then add more to fill the design.
Thumbnail Sketches
Combine the motifs within the framework of the composition and you have a thumbnail sketch for your next quilt!
Don’t stop at one! The idea of doodling is to try out several variations before stitching.
Change each thumbnail slightly. For example, use the same motifs on a horizontal composition with straight lines.
Or stitch one motif per row–like cars in one row, trees in another and houses in a third row.
See how many combinations you can create before you stitch.
Now you have learned the basics on how to doodle a whole cloth quilt!
Brainstorm Personal Touches
While you are doodling, consider how to add personal messages within the quilt.
Can you create a house or car that resembles your house or car?
What messages could you add to the street signs?
Did YOU notice my shameless self-promotion for 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting within my doodles?
What about YOU?
Have YOU ever tried whole cloth quilting?
What is YOUR favorite motif?
Do YOU use compositional styles to divide and conquer?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Have YOU ever doodled while lying on your couch? That’s also a horizontal compositional style!
Your Divine Divan Doodler,
Lori
PRE ORDER–personalized, signed copies with a special treat shipping around June 5, 2020!
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thank you!
4 comments
Antoinette Giovino
I’ve been wanting to try while cloth quilting. The suggestions in your post makes it more manageable. Should I always use a solid fabric to quilt on? I would think a print would obscure the motifs.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I like to use solid or near solid fabric so the quilting is most visible.
Mary Lou HOFFMAN
I haven’t tried a whole cloth although I’ve used numerous of your motifs over the years in my quilts. Your books and tutorials are my ‘go to’ when I’m ready to quilt. Thank you for all the inspirations you share!
Cheri
Having a plan certainly works better! I did a whole cloth quilt 20 years ago of all Amish motifs. It was eye opening but turned out great. I gave it to one of my best friends for her birthday.
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