Step By Step Portrait Art Quilts: Unleash Your Creativity

Creating portrait art quilts is a wonderful way to express your creativity and capture the essence of a person through fabric and thread. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting out, this step-by-step guide will show you how to create stunning portrait art quilts that will be cherished for years to come.

What Are Portrait Art Quilts?

Portrait art quilts are quilts that depict a person's face or figure. They are created using different techniques that involve fabric selection, piecing, appliqué, and threadwork. These quilts can range from realistic and detailed portraits to more abstract interpretations, depending on the quilter's style and vision.

When creating a portrait art quilt, the artist carefully chooses fabrics that match the colors and textures of the subject's skin, hair, and clothing. They stitch these fabrics together to form the basic structure of the quilt. Then, they add details and depth by appliquéing additional fabric pieces and using thread to create shading, highlights, and other fine details.

Step by Step Portrait Art Quilts: Learn to Create Realistic Portrait and Pictorial Quilts

by Margaret Bucklew (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8530 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	50 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Getting Started: Materials and Tools

To begin your portrait art quilt journey, you'll need a few materials and tools:

• Fabric: Choose a variety of colors, textures, and prints that will match your subject's features.
• Background fabric: This will be the base of your quilt.
• Thread: Select various shades that will help you achieve the desired contrast and details.
• Needles: Use different types of needles depending on the stitching technique you're using.
• Scissors: Have sharp fabric scissors for cutting fabric and smaller scissors for thread trimming.
• Sewing machine: While hand stitching is an option, a sewing machine can speed up the process.
• Pins: Use pins to secure fabric pieces in place before stitching.
• Quilting hoop or frame: This will keep your quilt taut and make it easier to work on.
• Reference photo: Choose a high-quality photo of your subject to guide your work.
• Quilting template: This can help you transfer your design onto the fabric.

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, it's time to dive into the process.

The Step-by-Step Process

Creating a portrait art quilt requires attention to detail, patience, and a willingness to experiment. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Design

Choose a clear and well-lit reference photo. Print it out or have it in front of you on a screen. Use a quilting template to trace the main lines and features of the design onto your background fabric.

Step 2: Choosing Fabrics and Colors

Study the photo and select fabrics that closely resemble the subject's skin tone, hair color, and clothing. Consider patterned fabrics for added texture and interest. Cut small fabric swatches and arrange them on your background fabric, experimenting with different combinations to achieve the desired effect.

Step 3: Piecing and Appliqué

Using a sewing machine or hand stitching, piece together the main elements of the face and body, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Appliqué additional fabric pieces to add depth and details. Secure these pieces with pins or temporary adhesive and stitch them onto the background fabric.

Step 4: Threadwork and Embellishments

Now comes the intricate part - creating shading, highlights, and fine details using thread. Load your sewing machine with the appropriate thread color and adjust the settings for desired stitch length and tension. Start by outlining important features and gradually fill in areas with different shades and textures. Experiment with different stitch techniques like free-motion quilting and satin stitching to achieve the desired effects.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Once you're satisfied with the threadwork, trim any excess fabric or thread. You can add additional embellishments like beads, sequins, or embroidery to enhance specific areas if desired. Finally, sandwich your quilt top with batting and backing fabric, and quilt it through various layers to give it stability and texture.

Creating portrait art quilts is a mesmerizing and rewarding experience. Through fabric selection, piecing, appliqué, and threadwork, you can bring a person's likeness to life on a quilt. Remember to enjoy the process, experiment with techniques, and let your creative spirit flow. Who knows, you might discover a new passion for portrait art quilting along the way!

Step by Step Portrait Art Quilts: Learn to Create Realistic Portrait and Pictorial Quilts

by Margaret Bucklew (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8530 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	50 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Step by Step Portrait Art Quilts takes you by the hand through every step of creating your own unique applique art quilt. This book is complete with detailed instructions on how to choose the proper photograph, make your custom pattern, select the best fabrics, create your quilt top, and complete your heirloom portrait or pictorial quilt.

You do not have to be an expert quilter or a computer whiz to do any of the steps, and no drawing skills are required. If you know how to create and save a file and sew a zig zag stitch, you have the experience required to craft an extraordinarily beautiful memory in cloth.

To help you create your digital quilt, in-depth instructions are included for three different image editing software applications: Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, & Gimp--which is free. The book includes ample photos and screen shots of palettes and dialogue boxes. Whether you prefer a PC or MAC you can easily follow the step-by-step instructions in this book.

You'll happily combine the technical aspects of creating your custom pattern with the relaxing aspect of quilting and if you prefer one-on-one help, Margaret offers an online class to accompany the book.

Margaret Bucklew, author, teacher, & award winning portrait quilt designer
Bonus: A free pattern is included with this book.