How to Create a Quilt Design Board | Tips for Planning Your Next Quilting Project

Everything You Need to Know About Creating a Quilt Design Board

If you’re thinking of starting a new quilting project but feeling overwhelmed by the design process, a quilt design board can be incredibly helpful. A design board allows you to visually plan your quilt layout before cutting into any fabric. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know to make your own custom design board.

What is a Quilt Design Board?

In simple terms, a quilt design board is a flat surface that allows you to arrange mock fabric pieces or templates to preview different quilt designs before committing to a pattern. Design boards come in various sizes but are typically made from foamcore, cardboard, or acrylic sheets with a gridded background for easy measurement. The gridded surface provides a way to accurately position and scale templates cut from fabric or paper to represent quilt blocks, sashing, or borders in a proposed design.

Why Use a Quilt Design Board?

There are several benefits to planning your quilt design on a board first:

1. It prevents wasting time and money cutting fabric for a design that doesn’t work or please you on a larger scale.
2. Arranging templates first makes it easy to visualize the proportions and balance of different elements like blocks, sashing, and borders.
3. You can experiment with many layout variations quickly to find the most aesthetically-pleasing design.
4. It helps ensure accurate fabric yardage requirements before shopping for materials.
5. Serves as a reference guide when piecing the actual quilt top to assemble pieces in the right places.

From my experience, a design board is essential for complex projects with non-traditional layouts or large scale prints where the placement of motifs really matters. Taking time with a board pays off in completing a quilt you truly love.

How to Make a Basic Quilt Design Board

Materials needed:
– Foamcore, mat board, or cardboard sheet (at least 1/4″ thickness)
– Ruler and pencil
– Fine-tip permanent marker

To make a basic design board:

1. Choose the size of your board based on the projected size of your quilt. For example, a queen size quilt board would be roughly 90″ x 90″.
2. Use a ruler and pencil to draw a light grid of 1″ or 2″ squares evenly across the entire surface.
3. Use a permanent marker to darken grid lines for visibility. The grid allows precise block positioning.
4. Optionally mark perpendicular guidelines to indicate quilt edges for easy alignment of border pieces.
5. Your board is now ready to arrange templates and plan designs!

Using a thicker board like foamcore makes templates stay put better than thinner materials. Regularly erase and reposition pieces as needed during the design process.

Tips for Effective Quilt Design

Now that you have a board, here are some tips for using it successfully:

1. Cut templates to represent blocks, sashing strips, and borders from paper, fusible fleece, or lightweight fabric.
2. Start with a focal area or block and build outwards, alternating prints or colors for interest.
3. Experiment with balance – try symmetrical vs. asymmetrical layouts. Rotate pieces to find the best flow.
4. Consider piecing order when placing – assemble “flying geese” units before sewing to blocks, for example.
5. Vary block sizes within a design for visual appeal and avoid repetition.
6. Leave room for quilting – high-density designs can be difficult to quilt attractively.
7. Take photos of favorite layouts for future reference once fabrics are purchased.

With some trial and error, a design board makes it fun to visualize different options before committing to a final plan. Trust the process – your best design may surprise you!

Making Templates

Creating accurate templates is key for proper block positioning on the board. Here are basic template-making tips:

1. Print block patterns at 100% scale if using paper templates.
2. Duplicate the pattern on cardstock or lightweight fusible fleece for durability.
3. Carefully cut out template pieces with sharp scissors.
4. Label each template with the block name or number for easy identification.
5. For non-traditional blocks, trace the pieced shape onto template material.
6. Regularly press templates with an iron to maintain crisp edges.

I’ve found using fabric for templates helps visualize how different prints will look best. Just be sure to fuse or pin them securely on the board. Properly sized templates are key for flawless quilt piecing down the line.

Finalizing Your Plan

Once you’ve settled on a winning design, it’s time to finalize the plan:

1. Take detailed photos of the board for reference when piecing.
2. Note the specific fabric or print needed for each template piece.
3. Write out cutting instructions for blocks and any additional pieces like sashing or borders.
4. Compute total fabric yardage needed, adding extra for mistakes.
5. Assign blockPiecing order – number templates in the desired assembly sequence.
6. Save board photos digitally for future quilt planning inspiration too!

With a complete design plan in hand, shopping for fabrics and piecing will go so much more smoothly. Taking the time with a board truly pays off in a successful finished quilt.

I hope these tips help you create a great design board to plan your next quilting project. Let me know if you have any other questions! With some practice, you’ll be designing like a pro in no time. Happy quilting!

Essential Requirements for Making a Quilt Design Board

FAQ

1. What is a quilt design board?

   A quilt design board is basically a flat surface where you can lay out fabric squares and shapes in different patterns to plan out what your quilt will look like. It lets you see how colors and textures will go together before actually sewing anything.

2. What kinds of materials can I use to make a design board?

   There are a bunch of options for materials. Some popular choices are: a sheet of foam core, a canvas drop cloth, a piece of pegboard, or even just a large tabletop covered in contact paper. You want something firm but with a little flexibility. The surface also needs to be smooth so tiny fabric pieces don’t slip around too much.

3. How big should my design board be?

   The size will depend on what size quilt you’re making. Basically, you’ll want the board to comfortably hold all the fabric squares for your whole quilt with some extra space around the edges. Most quilt designers suggest starting with a board that’s at least a couple inches bigger all around than your planned quilt size. Better too big than too small!

4. What kinds of tools do I need?

   The basic tools for a quilt design board are fabric squares or shapes, straight pins for holding them in place, and a tape measure for keeping track of measurements. Having a water-soluble fabric pen is also handy for labeling pieces or drawing layout lines. You might also want a sewing machine nearby to test piecing as you design.

5. How long should it take me to design a quilt?

   This can vary a lot depending on the quilt pattern complexity and your skill level. For a simple pieced pattern, you may be able to complete the design in an afternoon. However, designing original complex patterns can take days or weeks of rearrangement. Don’t feel rushed – part of the fun is playing with different layout options. Allow yourself time to daydream and discover new ideas!

   

6. What tips can help me in the design process?

   Some tips that may help are: start with a color scheme in mind; work section by section rather than the whole design at once; take progression photos as you work to retrace your steps; step away and come back with fresh eyes; get input from friends on layouts you like best. At the end of the day, remember – there’s no wrong way to design as long as you’re having fun with it!