My daughter and other quilters keep journals or sketchbooks in which they write and draw ideas of fabric art designs and patterns they have in mind.  Some keep a journal of various stitches and experiment with how they might plan pieces using these.
Perhaps your journal will be made with actual fabric pages on which you actually practice various stitches.  Or you might simply sketch your ideas in black and white.  You could add color, too.
Each quilt/fabric artist develops their way of journaling.  Some even include stories about their quilting experiences. 
In Creative Embroidery, authors Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn discuss keeping an ideas book, …read more

Previously I mentioned the Round Robin my daughter’s local group was conducting. Occasionally Beth posted a photo of a Round Robin fiber art piece she was working on.  The artists are displaying the finished pieces as the Round Robin Collection at their exhibit at the Artistic Roots Art Center at Campton, NH.  Beth also has photos of these for viewing at her blog, http://meanderingthreads.blogspot.com , along with other exhibit pieces.
For those unfamiliar with Round Robins, they consist of works passed around a group (either a local group where quilters meet regularly or an online group in which they mail the pieces to one another).  Each artist adds something to the piece before sending …read more

Quilters, from early days, have had stories to tell.  They may not have realized they were making history, contributing to women’s heritage, and leaving a legacy in fabric art.  Their stories fascinate their descendants and encourage women everywhere in the quilting world.
What’s your quilting story?  You must write it down for yourself and your family, for other quilters who might be inspired by what you’ve accomplished and what you have to relate.
Even if no one else in your family quilts or works in fabric art, nor have in the past that you know of, your story is important and should be written …read more

Do you have a notebook or sketchbook for jotting quilting thoughs and designs?  These can consist of various types and sizes and used for a number of purposes, depending on your needs.
My daughter has a sketch book, about 8 1/2 x 11-inches in which she sketches ideas for quilts.  Perhaps she sees a flower that strikes her fancy.  Or she may have some interesting fabric, so she plays with ideas in the sketch book.  Perhaps she acquires some embellishments.  What should I do with these? might be answered through sketching.
I have a Trails End Quilters notebook where I jot down …read more