Part 1: Introduction
with JULIUS ARTHUR
Lesson 15 of 27
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Julius guides you through the process of making a patchwork quilt and empowers you to design your own top.
From the Lesson Workbook
Part 1 - Introduction
In this project, we will explore patchwork and experiment with different ways to create a quilt that is unique to you. We will explore shapes, patterns and colours to create improvised patchwork quilt tops.
In this lesson, you will need:
- Quilt top base: 60 x 80 cm (23⅝ in x 31½ in) cotton or linen, or piece together smaller sections of fabric to create a base the size needed for the quilt top.
- Appliqué: Selection of scraps or remnants of cotton or linen in different colours.
- Backing: 70 cm x 90 cm (27½ in x 35½ in) of cotton or linen, or piece together smaller sections of fabric to create a backing at least 10 cm (4 in) wider and longer than the quilt top.
- Wadding (batting): 65 x 85 cm ( 25⅝ in x 33½ in ), or at least 5 cm (2 in) wider and longer than the quilt top.
- Binding: At least 620 cm (245 in) of 10 cm (4 in) wide straight binding.
- Sewing thread: Strong sewing thread to match your chosen fabric.
- Quilting thread: 10 g ball of Pearl Cotton crochet thread size 8 or similar, in colour of your choice.
- Paper to create your design.
Designing your quilt tops
- Start by thinking about how big your quilt top is going to be. Most quilts are squares or rectangles. This quilt is broken down into three panels. I strongly recommend getting some dotted paper and a pen.
- I drew a quilt of 60 cm x 80 cm (23⅝ in x 31½ in). In my drawing, every two dots are a centimetre. I've divided my quilt into three panels. The panels are 30 cm x 60 cm (11 13/16 in x 23⅝ in), 20 cm x 50 cm (7⅞ in x 19 11/16 in) and 40 cm x 60 cm (15¾ in x 23⅝ in). These panels are going to be further divided into smaller panels.
- During this stage, I like to play with fabric and colour palettes. I've picked out a selection of different blues and warm neutrals. This is a great way of seeing how your colours will come together. You can also play about with small sketches by cutting out small pieces of fabric and seeing how they might fit together.
- When you are designing your quilt, think about the fabrics you have and the fabrics you are looking for. If you have an idea in your head, source those fabrics as you go.
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Your Instructor
Julius Arthur
British textile artist specialising in handmade quilts and unique textile objects for the home.
Julius Arthur is a textiles designer specialising in quilts and unique objects for the home. His design practice, House of Quinn, creates small-batch homeware using traditional and age-old craft techniques and practices to cultivate contemporary design narratives onto familiar objects. His work is grounded in uncomplicated - often repurposed - materials and inspired by an abstract view of the places and things around us. Growing up in Cornwall, memories of childhood and a sense of home and belonging intersect in Julius' work. Quilts have become a staple motif in Julius' work - a way of combining materials, connecting through stitch and exploring shape, form and line - and the subject of his book Modern Quilting.
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