Getting started with art quilting

Art quilts can be challenging and rewarding to create. If you’re wondering how to get started, here are a few tips.

What is an art quilt

Art quilts come in a vast array of forms and styles. In contrast to most traditional piecing techniques, art quilts push the boundaries of society’s idea of what a quilt should be. Art quilts often experiment with textile manipulation, color, and texture.  Many times they include a diverse array of mixed media. Each art quilt is completely unique. A personal statement. An opportunity to test new methods or materials in an unstructured environment.

These lovely quilts are by quilt artist Arlene Blackburn.

Getting inspired

Creating an art quilt is an original exploration of a concept or idea. An art quilt is a creation that comes from you. It is self-expression. It can be anything you want it to be. Decide what inspires you. What attracts your attention? Are you interested in landscapes? Abstracts? Wildlife, your pets, family photos? Starting an art quilt is really exploring your own thoughts. Abstract, interpretive or realistic—its your call.

These diverse examples of art quilts are by quilt artist Arlene Blackburn.

Planning the quilt and gathering supplies

When preparing to start an art quilt, gathering your supplies is one of the first steps to consider. Decide what materials and techniques you would like to experiment with. Color and texture in fabric play a huge role in art quilts, just like the paints in a painting. You may think about dying your own fabric or stamping and making your own batiks. You may want to add embellishments such as beads, buttons, lace, etc.

This quilt by Beth Schillig is a vibrant example of the use of color in an art quilt.

If you’re not using an inspiration image, you can draw or sketch the plan for your quilt. If you don’t like plans, and prefer to create as you go and see what result you get … that’s fine, too!

Here’s another beautiful example of colorful art quilting by Arlene Blackburn.

Construct the quilt

Depending on your chosen method, constructing an art quilt could include any or all of these techniques:

• Traditional piecing
• Paper piecing
• Needle turn applique
• Raw edge applique
• Embroidery
• Trapunto
• Fabric painting
• Couching
• Adding embellishments

This beautiful quilt by Beth Schillig demonstrates the use of several construction techniques.

Quilting the art quilt

Once your quilt is constructed you may finish it as desired. That could include some or all of these types of quilting:

• Hand quilting
• Overall quilting
• Lines, waves or crosshatch
• Custom quilting
• Securing applique
• Texture quilting
• Thread painting

Look at the lovely quilting on this art quilt by Arlene Blackburn.

Learn more

There are wonderful educators that teach many techniques in the world of art quilts. Research art quilters and discover who inspires you and whose style you admire. Take online or in-person classes. Your efforts and imagination are sure to be rewarded.