180 Doodle Quilting Designs Review

Add a book for lifelong reference to your quilting library with 180 Doodle Quilting Designs from Martingale. Complete with a wide variety of free-motion ideas, this book will inspire you with new and unique ways to finish your quilts. Don't let your closet fill with abandoned, unfinished quilt tops! 180 Doodle Quilting Designs makes it easier than ever to first unwind with doodling, and second apply your favorite doodles to your quilt.

This book is structured perfectly for beginners and seasoned quilters alike. Perhaps you've had experience sewing several quilts, or maybe you're guilty of having that closet full of unfinished quilt tops. You'll learn to sew dozens of free-motions designs by first doodling them on paper. Compiler Karen Burns writes, "While you might be tempted to jump right to stitching, doodling on paper is an invaluable step that allows you to get accustomed to the rhythm of the design and create the muscle memory you need to stitch in a continuous line" (p. 6).

First, use tracing paper directly over the designs in the book. Each design has a marked starting point and arrows pointing you in the correct direction for stitching (or in this case, tracing). After you've practiced tracing the pattern a few times, try freehand drawing it on a piece of paper or in a sketchbook. Burns recommends a sketchbook, particularly for when you start dreaming up your own quilting designs (which will inevitably happen the more you doodle)! Last, stitch the design on some practice quilt sandwiches. One of my favorite tips from Burns is this: "Use a thread color that doesn't contrast too highly with the fabric; otherwise, you might find yourself fixating on mistakes" (p. 7). Once you have these basics down, you're free to start doodling, and then quilting.

The doodle styles are divided into four sections: Lines, Waves, and Squiggles; Loops, Curves, and Pebbles; Swirls, Curls, and Feathers; and Just for Fun. I love the Easy Orange Peels design (p. 50). The pattern looks like a mix between geometrics and florals with thin petals. You'll find several geometric patterns in this book as well as organic patterns like raindrops, leaves, peapods, and flowers. Drop Drop (p. 36) is a really neat effect achieved by alternating curved stitches with straight ones. Designs in this book range from large, simple effects to very intricate. Swirls and Pebbles (p. 74) is a gorgeous design featuring tiny stones filling the gaps between larger swirls. Last, I love the holly and snowflake designs for winter! The stitch patterns are such a charming way to dress up a winter quilt.

If free-motion quilting scares you, combat that fear with 180 Doodle Quilting Designs! Practice your favorite patterns, create that muscle memory, and finish your quilts beautifully.

What is the most intimidating part of quilting?