Summer Quilting Trends: New Ideas Extend The Quilting Season

Quilting – A Year Round Pastime

Quilting sometimes gets passed over during the summer months. The days are longer and warmer. We’re out and about more. There are Little League games to watch, backyard barbeques to attend and vacations to take. In short, the last thing your customers have time for is to sit down with a big quilting project when there’s just so much more to do during the summer.

We have found that more and more quilters are extending the season by creating smaller, more portable projects. These projects range from tabletop runners and tree skirts to tote bags and laptop bags. They are a great way to introduce quilting to those customers who’ve never tried it before or those who want new challenges.

The Popularity Of Smaller Projects

Smaller projects have taken off in popularity in recent years. The reasons for this are many but include:

• Portability. Small projects go with you. You can sew by hand whenever and wherever you want. Toss your pieces and tools into a Ziploc bag and take it with you to the game, in the car or out on the deck to enjoy the sun. Wherever you go, your project goes with you.
• Less Investment. If you’re new to quilting, the idea of making a whole quilt can be intimidating. That’s a big project to jump right into! Smaller projects give new quilters a chance to put in a smaller amount of time and money as they get started. As they gain confidence and hone their skills, they can work their way up to bigger projects. For seasoned quilters, smaller projects are a fun change of pace and a great way to use up extra fabric or whittle away a few hours here and there.
• Projects Completed Sooner. There’s nothing more satisfying than a quilting project completed! Small projects can be finished much more quickly than larger ones. By the end of summer you can have a completed project just by working on it a little at a time. The more success a quilter has, the more quilting they will do!
• Creative Freedom. With smaller projects, quilters are more willing to take risks, try new techniques and toss out the “rules”. We are past the days of quilting as a way to keep our families warm. Today, it’s a hobby and an art form. People are making portable pieces, like bags and cases, that they are proud to show off. There’s a lot more time spent choosing fabrics and patterns to fit people’s home décor and lifestyles than there was in the past.

Small Project Quilting Ideas

Some great small project ideas to share with your customers include:

• Tote bags, purses, diaper bags
• Laptop bags or covers
• Gadget cases for phones, music Players, tablets
• Tree skirts, wall hangings, decorations, Christmas stockings
• Tabletop runners
• Quilted covers for storage baskets
• Throw pillows
• Candle mats
• Aprons, pot holders, trivets, casserole covers

Trends in Color: Summer Colors Take Center Stage

Summertime means bright, bold colors and we’ve certainly seen this trend in demand for quilting fabrics. Today’s quilters want a clean, modern and simple look, but you’ll notice a demand for colors and patterns that are popular in other areas of life. Modern designs feature less use of blocking and more open space than in quilts of years past. Handwork and Hexiquilts are re-emerging with embroidery and appliqués being used to accent many designs.

Some of the most popular patterns these days are:

• Animal prints
• Chevron
• Citrus
• Geometric designs
• Large floral patterns
• Owls
• Paisley
• Zig-zag patterns

A Modern Take On An Old Pastime

Quilting has been around since people invented fabric, but instead of piecing together whatever was on hand, today’s quilters are more discerning and approach their hobby as art and a form of creative expression. People are breaking the rules, going out on a limb and pushing the boundaries of quilting in ways we’ve never seen before. The results are some truly stunning and unique designs and a resurgence of interest in quilting across many generations.

Interestingly, the resurgence of interest in quilting can be attributed partly to a return to more frugal living and an interest in generating less waste. Instead of tossing out old clothing, fabrics or bedspreads, people are cutting them up and turning them into quilts. The availability of free patterns online and the need for nothing more than a needle and thread means that anyone with an interest can get started in quilting for very little upfront cost.