I have been a crafter for many years. And one of my favorite crafts is sewing. Through the years, I have made many quilts and admired the quilts of friends and family. My great-grandmother Gramlich was an excellent quilter. And I am privileged to have a few items made by her and a few block pattern pieces from her. I love the look of quilts--they evoke a homey feeling of the country life my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents had. My only problem with quilting was that quilting with fabric took so much time. I like quick results! :)
Now that I am scrapbooking more than quilting, I can use paper in place of fabric to create my quilt blocks. This goes so much quicker and I still enjoy the country feel of the design. The two crafts are very compatible since they both involve using a patterned or plain flat design element (fabric or paper) and cutting it and positioning it to make a creative 'picture' (the quilt or the scrapbook page).
I have developed a simple step by step process to help me get scrapbook page designs from traditional quilt blocks. They were meant for fabric-- but now they transform into quilted paper pieced pages! Here is what I do.
Step 1. Think about the subject of the scrapbook page:
What is the theme of your photos? In my example, I chose the Fall harvest and farming. Don't forget, quilt pages can be for men as well as women's topics! Quilt patterns abound in sewing stores, in books, and online. But how do you pick a pattern? Will it be too complex? Where do I look online for FREE patterns? Sure you can buy a book on it...but do you know that almost all pattern blocks offered online are free? They are also usually sized for 8 inch to 12 inch finished squares! Perfect for a scrapbook page!
Step 2. Pick a Pattern Block
I start with an online web search for "Quilt+pattern" in quotes. After I get those results, I search within those results with the keyword "Free". This will bring up thousands of sites with patterns. My favorite site is
Block Central because it is so comprehensive.....so many choices so little time! LOL
I also like Kim Graham's Quilter's Neighborhood where I found a great block called "Farmer's Fields". What a perfect name for the theme of my photos too! It was just added bonus that my block is named for something that coordinates with my theme. But almost any block can go with any theme so don't limit yourself to their names.
For your first block, pick one that has fewer than 8 pieces. This will help you keep it simple. You also want to be sure that the largest areas are big enough for your photos. Most photos are 4x6 and can take trimming down to take them about 4 inches on any side without affecting the central subject.
If you are an experienced paper piecer or quilt maker, you can go for a more elaborate pattern with up to 20 individual pieces per block. Try not to make the pieces too tiny either if you are a beginner. Pieces smaller than 1 inch can be harder to cut and handle. You can also simplify the pattern by leaving out 'cutting' lines. Compare figures 3 and 5. I took out some cutting lines for smaller pieces to give me more photo space on the four main triangles.
Step 3. Save the Pattern Block:
Once you have found a block you like, isolate it with a right click of your mouse and a VIEW IMAGE click. You should then be able to save the image to your computer. For the correct procedure to save an image off to your hard drive, consult your HELP button . Be sure to note ( and write down) the name and where it is sending the image. That way you can find it again!
Step 4. Print the Image:
If you are a 12x12 page user, most quilt pattern images are the right size to print right off the website for a full 12x12 inch block. Some patterns may need to be shrunk for 8.5x11 page users. So, get out your own favorite computer printshop program. On a blank page or "poster" setting, bring your saved image in and make it the size you like. I made my pattern a bit smaller (about 7 1/2 inches wide) on my 8.5x11 page because I also wanted to have room for the title and caption and a cute farmer paper piecing I had made. I kept it square but just smaller in proportion than their original version. Keep the page composition in mind when resizing the quilt pattern.
Step 5. Cut Your Pattern Apart
Cut it carefully on the black lines. A paper trimmer is best for this.
Step 6. Choose Your Layout Scheme.
Identify what your options are for color, placement, journaling placement, and juggle it around a few ways. Here are two schemes I came up with on my layout planning.
I eventually decided to go with the plan in figure 7 with some modification on the journaling. Can you see how just changing the accent, the border or the journaling spaces can really alter the same pattern?
Step 7. Cut the Photos and Papers.
Be sure you know which photo you want in which place. Each photo should be cut so that it will be in the correct position on the finished page. See figure 9 and figure 12. Cut your printed or solid "fabric" pattern pieces as well. Again use the personal trimmer for straight lines. I drew from the blues in the farmer's denim clothing and the sky for my paper choices. Choose colors that enhance the photos. Lightweight papers are easier to work with for paper quilting than cardstocks.
Step 8. Headlines and Lettering
I usually do my lettering and titles on separate papers in case I make a mistake on size or placement or neatness. Here I have used Bouquet from the Baby CK lettering cd. Fortunately, he quilt pattern name was also a great title so I used that--"Farmer's Fields". Further specifics about my photos were added as a caption at the bottom left.
Step 9. Assembly of the Quilt Page.
Try a rough layout (no glue) to see how you like the look. Double check that all the photos are facing the right way. :) Make a note of where you want the bottom line to be on the quilt. Measure with a ruler how far from the bottom of the page the quilt sits and jot it down.
Now start at the bottom of the quilt and build the quilt upward. Use REPOSITIONABLE adhesive at this point. Since it is supposed to be square, you can check your right angles with the sides of the background paper. Make sure you are not lining things up crooked. Use the ruler to check that the bottom quilt border or edge is parallel with the lower edge of the background paper. Lay all the quilt elements out on the background paper. Once you have them where you want them, use permanent adhesive.
Step 10. Add any Extras.
My barefoot farmer boy paper piecing and his pile of straw are my final touches. I left room for him when planning my pattern size back in step 4. If your quilt takes up the whole space of your page, perhaps you will want to just add pen stitching to the 'fabric' sections or outline the outermost border. Many real life quilts are signed so you can also sign yours in a corner of a block somewhere for a fun personal touch.
WOW! What a nice page! You can make a quilted page too!
Find a pattern! Give it a try!
