The process of quilting fabric is a time-honored craft that may be a lot more versatile than on first thought. After all, mention quilting and visions of a warm, cozy night nestled under a soft quilt that grandma made comes immediately to the minds of most people. Quilts do more than sweeten our dreams, though.
For anyone looking to expand the scope of their quilting projects beyond the obvious, there is a quilt pattern available that will inspire or influence projects for home decorations in every room of the house, including the wardrobe.
Consider the elegant finishing touch to window treatments that can be achieved when a quilt pattern is used to embellish a valance and matching tie-back straps. Add some matching quilted throw pillows and a living room or den develops a very welcoming, homey feel.
A formal dining room that features placemats in a quilt pattern and unquilted napkins in the same or complementary fabric is a great way to showcase antique dinnerware or cutlery. It’s also a great way to make the food seem more like the home-cooked meal that is rapidly disappearing from dining rooms across the country.
In the wardrobe, bureau, or closet, vests and jackets made from quilted fabrics add a degree of warmth and softness. A clever seamstress who also quilts can incorporate a quilt pattern into the bodice of a dress or top or can make a matching quilted belt to accessorize a favorite outfit.
Other accessories suitable for a quilt pattern are purses and bags of all kinds. Many bags designed for keeping up with a baby feature quilted panels, sides, or embellishments and these same quilted touches can work beautifully when added to bags made for older children and adults, too.
In colder climates, where hats worn during the wintertime look good and keep us warm at the same time, a quilt pattern used to make the crown of a hat or cap adds a degree of warmth, even if the insulating layer of batting is thin.
When using a quilt pattern to adorn garments and decorative elements of home décor, many quilters choose to focus on the stitchery aspect of quilting instead of the quilt blocks or patchwork. The simplicity of the stitching is often more compatible in these pieces whereas the blocks or patches can overwhelm.
