QUILTGENIUS DESIGN TOOL KIT CLASS PLAN
Find the QuiltGenius Design Tool Kit & the refillable QuiltGenius Graph Paper at C&T Publishing.
Class Description
Create your own original quilt design using the QuiltGenius Design Tool Kit! Learn to use the different shape stencils and the layout stencil to build quilts and blocks. Starting with basic shapes, create simple blocks and design a small baby or lap quilt, and work your way up to designing a king-size Medallion Quilt!
Suggested Class Size
6-10 students
Suggested Class Length
Half-day to full-day workshop
Supply List
- QuiltGenius Design Tool Kit
- Pencil(s) - mechanical pencil recommended, 0.5 lead works well.
- Extra lead if using a mechanical pencil
- Pencil sharpener if using a regular pencil
- Eraser(s)
- Colored pencils (optional)
- Magazines, photos, Pinterest/Instagram images...any visual inspiration that students would like to bring as a starting point for a quilt design.
Classroom Preparation
Have some block idea resources available for inspiration such as the line of Quick & Easy Block Tools or Quilt Builder Card Decks from C&T Publishing.
Class Agenda
Introduce the QuiltGenius Design Tool Kit
See the C&T Publishing Youtube video here for a product overview.
Review and explain the 3 different types of graph paper and the types of quilt designs they are used for:
- 1/4” grid for “regular” designs
- 1/4” diagonal grid for “on point” quilts
- 1/4” isometric grid for 3D, triangle, and hexie quilts
Let’s Get Started!
Practice making shapes with each of the stencils. Line up the inside of the stencil shape with the graph paper grid as neatly as you can. (But don’t sweat it if it’s a little wonky! Think of this as a sketch...it doesn’t need to be perfect!) Notice that some shapes (such as the square in a square and flying geese) have dashed registration lines to help you line up the shape within the graph paper grid.
Practice combining shapes with the Basic Shapes 1 & 2 stencils. These two stencils contain the basic building blocks of quilt designs including half-square triangles (HST), quarter-square triangles (QST), Flying Geese, etc. Combine these shapes to make endless options for blocks. For example, draw a rectangle with a half rectangle inside. This creates a half-rectangle triangle (HRT). What shapes would you use to create a “square in a square block”? Practice creating different combinations of shapes using examples in the instruction booklet for inspiration if you’d like. (If you are combining shapes, notice that you don’t need to draw over an existing line as this creates thick lines that are more difficult to erase.)
Use the sashing strips, parallelogram, and trapezoid shapes on the Quilt Layout Stencil by themselves or in combination with the Basic Shapes stencils to create more blocks.
Practice creating rows with the Borders & Rows stencil. To create a row of the same design, trace the selected motif, shift the stencil over, and trace again to fill the spaces.
Practice combining different Borders & Rows motifs to make unique border patterns.
Practice drawing isometric shapes. These are the shapes you use to create hexie, triangle, and 3D designs. Remember to use the isometric graph paper when practicing the isometric shapes.
Let’s Make Some Blocks!
Quilt blocks are the “building blocks” of a design. Spend the next 15-20 minutes drawing some quilt blocks on the 1/4” grid using your imagination or referring to some of the Block Tool resources for ideas. Make them as big or as small as you like, as simple or as complex as you like. No rules, just play around and try out different shapes and sizes.
Start Building with Those Blocks
There are many fun quilt designs you can create with just one or two blocks. Choose a block and try some of the following:
- Draw one block on repeat. Do you see a secondary pattern forming?
- Draw one block but turn it in different directions. Does it vary the pattern?
- Draw your block in different sizes. How do you group them so that they fit together?
- Choose two of your block designs and combine them by alternating them in a layout. Do you like the effect? What changes in the blocks might you make to create a different design?
Experiment with “on-point” designs. Choose one of your blocks and draw it on the Diagonal grid paper (with the pink lines). Use your stencils at a 45-degree angle to the graph paper or turn your paper so it is at an angle. Keep in mind that you will either have “half” blocks along the edge of the design or you can create side and corner triangles out of solid/background fabrics.
Experiment with isometric graph paper. Practice making a cube design using the diamond shapes or mix some hexies in with diamonds to see what patterns you can create.
Let’s Design a Quilt!
Where do I start? Here are a few places to start:
- Size: Do you need a particular size quilt, e.g. for a king-size bed? A baby gift?
- I love Flying Geese!: Pick a favorite block and see how many ways you can use it in your design. Vary the direction, vary the size and then color in your design, and use color, value, and movement to make your quilt come alive!
- Design a block: Play with your basic shape stencils and create a variety of blocks in different sizes. Start with a simple block and experiment with adding complexity to the block.
- Combine existing blocks: Using your own block designs, or pre-existing block designs, combine them together to discover interesting repeat patterns and secondary patterns. Try multiples of a single block. Try alternating two blocks; the secondary patterns may surprise you!
- Inspiration is everywhere: Using books, magazines, Pinterest, Instagram, and any other design sources you like, create original designs from the inspiration you find there. See the YouTube video at the 6-minute mark (linked above) to see how Amy finds inspiration in her design magazines.
Exercises
#1 HST Quilt
Design a Half Square Triangle Quilt. Half Square Triangles (HSTs) are one of the most versatile shapes in your quilting design toolbox. They can be mixed up randomly or laid out in an orderly pattern. You can easily mix and match sizes for a variety in the scale, and best of all, they are easy to sew!
#2 Alternating Blocks/Secondary Pattern Quilt
Choose two blocks and combine them by alternating them in a layout. Do you like the secondary pattern? What happens if you add complexity to one or both of the blocks? Does it change the secondary pattern? How does adding color to the design change the look and feel of the pattern?
#3 King Size Medallion Quilt
Use what you have learned so far to create a King size medallion quilt. Draw your quilt outline (108”x 108” square for the king size) and find the center. Determine the size of your center block and work outward from there, alternating a variety of borders, rows and blocks.
Final word of advice:
Don’t be afraid to use your eraser! There are no rules so play around, see what you come up with and have fun!
