What is a watercolor quilt?
Traditional quilts use different colors and shapes to make their unique patterns. Watercolor quilts use intensity of the colors and the values of dark to light to create their patterns. The fabric is usually small squares or strips with brightly colored floral patterns.
This lens offers a brief discription of how to design a watercolor quilt, it assumes that you already know how to make a quilt. If not, there are some good lenses out there to help you out.
You can view some of my other quilts at my website: www.forquiltssake.com
How do you make a watercolor quilt?
Step 1
Start by drafting a design on paper. Since it's the value that's important and not the color, you can use a pencil. Make some areas dark, some light, and some of medium value. Figure out how many darks, mediums and light squares you'll need.Figuring the size: remember that when the 2"x2" squares are sewn together with a 1/4" seam allowance, they will be 1-1/2"x1-1/2".
Step 2
Organize your 2x2 squares into 3 piles: dark value, medium value and light value.Dark value: background is usually black or a very dark color; colors are very vivid and bold.
Light value: background is usually white or a very light color, colors are more muted and pastel.
Step 3
Place your dark, medium and light squares based on the draft you drew. Step back and look at it, then move squares around to fit your design better. You can rotate the squares or even use the backs it you like that better. Resources
A really handy tool for making watercolor quilts using 2" squares is "Quilt Fuse" that has a 2"x2" grid marked on it. You arrange your pieces on the Quilt Fuse using the grid, fuse them in place with an iron, fold the rows over and sew a whole row at a time.
The pre-cut watercolor squares, strips and Quilt Fuse are all available from Whims Whims (no affiliation).
Some Flickr Photos of watercolor quilts I've made
Here are some watercolor quilts that I've made
20" x 20"Instead of using shapes and colors to make a patter...
10.5" x 37.5" eachThis pair of watercolor quilts uses the bl...
Instead of using shapes and colors to make a pattern, a watercolor quilt blends ...
Watercolor Books on Amazon
For more information, ideas, and directions
Watercolor Quilts
Amazon Price: (as of 10/08/2008)
Watercolor Landscape Quilts: Quick No-Fuss Fold & Sew Technique
Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 10/08/2008)
Quick Watercolor Quilts: The Fuse, Fold, and Stitch Method
Amazon Price: (as of 10/08/2008)
More Quick Watercolor Quilts
Amazon Price: (as of 10/08/2008)
Reader Feedback
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SemperFidelis
Very pretty examples you have here! 5* and favorited today! :o) Posted September 14, 2008 |
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Shellybee
Love the lens and the watercolor quilts! You have a great eye! Thanks for the visual of how I can do this myself! Posted June 23, 2008 |
