Creative Beading

Quilting question, 2 block quilts, im new to this, any info maybe helpful!?

my moms a member of a quilt guilt, im a bead artist. we go together for a “break away” from the house. i have a 2 block quilt challenge due 4/29/09. seems far away, but i have NO experince. anyone have some simple ideas i can possible work with…even tips would be great!
my first thought and inspiration was my husbands grandmas quilt we had destoyed because i thought it was too damaged.
hes a biker, she was a rebel. i have no probe picking fabrics..just how do i put it together and some inspration for patterns..mine should be “original”…
thanks!

A two block quilt is one that uses two different blocks to create a secondary pattern. A simple example is a snowball block and a nine patch block. When you alternate the blocks, you get an interesting effect. See the first link below for an example. This is one of the easiest two block combinations. Your fabric choices and embellishments (as a bead artist, you’d couldn’t possibly make a quilt without adding embellishments, could you?!) make it original.

Check out Quilter’s Cache to get block ideas and instructions. She has over a thousand block patterns, all free, and all with very clearly illustrations and instructions.

If you’re familiar with photo editing software, you can copy photos, crop them, and move them around to see what the block combinations look like. You can also draw them out on graph paper and use colored pencils to play with different effects.

As far as the actual sewing and quilting process, of course you can get help from your mom, but you might also want to check out a book called Start Quilting with Alex Anderson. It teaches the basics of quilting and gives instructions for six common blocks.

If you want to incorporate a bit of the ‘rebel’ into your quilt, you could modify a couple of traditional blocks by using angles, deliberately cutting off points, and making it a little out of whack. The added benefit is that you don’t have to be an experienced quilter, you don’t have to worry about straight, accurate seam allowances and cut off points, and you can claim every mistake as a design element. It’s often referred to as a “wonky” quilt or block. Check out the link for some examples. The next link is to a tutorial for a wonky log cabin block. It’s an excellent starting point for learning not only how to make a wonky block, but how to sew a block, period.

Along the lines of the wonky blocks, you could try foundation piecing. It’s a technique that allows you to be much wilder in your piecing, using very small pieces, unusual angles, and more accurate lines. Instead of relying on perfect cutting and accurate seams, you sew on the lines printed on a piece of foundation paper or fabric. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once it clicks in your head, you’ll be fine. There are several different ways to go about it, including sewing through paper and tearing it out afterward, sewing onto a fabric foundation like muslin, and “tacking” the fabric to freezer paper foundations with an iron, folding it back and sewing along the edge instead of through the paper. I use the freezer paper method because I can use the foundation over and over. Play with different techniques until you find one you like. There are some links below, including some patterns.

Beading Basics-Peyote Stitch

1 Tier Ivory Elbow Length Floral Handbeaded Bridal Wedding Veil A simple and stunning veil has a scalloped edge with a beautiful floral pattern and beaded trim made with clear bungle beads and crystal bicone beads. A great match for dresses with crystal beading and accents. Perfect for the bride who wants a little beading and a little shine on the veil — but not too much! The veil is attached to a silver wire comb. Wire combs are more pliable and versati…

Stitch Workshop: Peyote Stitch: Basic Techniques, Advanced Results $10.92 This book is the first in our Stitch Workshop series. This book will concentrate solely on peyote stitch, explaining the basics of that stitch in detail and supplying plenty of projects for beaders to practice with. With 28 peyote stitch projects organized from beginner to advanced, this book has a wide audience for those who are just learning the stitch and those who are looking for more proj…

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Jewelry Making & Beading For Dummies $8.80 Features step-by-step projects and full-color examplesCreate unique jewelry to wear with everything from jeans to a ball gown!Want to make your own jewelry? This easy-to-follow guide gives you lots of hands-on instruction in making simple, fabulous jewelry and working with beads. From wire wrapping and knotting to weaving and polishing, you’ll get all the skills you need to make necklaces, bracele…