Hello!
I'm going to post my introduction just after this

When you are planning a quilt without a pattern, do you just use a plain notebook, or is there some kind of paper/grid that one can get to plan and keep all the ideas together?

I know there's software out there, but I'm not sure I want to invest in that quite yet!

I was just wondering if there's neato kinds of books and accessories for the creative aspects of planning your quilt (without the pattern)

What do you do?

If you are designing a quilt, it is helpful to draw it out on grid paper, providing there is some geometric quality to the design. If you are doing a landscape quilt, you can draw it full size or you can make a mock up, either on graph paper or regular artisits paper. The advantage of using the graph paper is that will aid in keeping the proportions accurate when enlarging it.

Many on-line sites offer coloring pages, there are some on the home page of this site. If you are doing a geomtric design and want to try out different color schemes, these are a real boon. There is software, it is pricey, so unless you are sure you intend to stay with quilting (and who wouldn't? LOL, it may not be worth the investment initially.

I use a binder (four or five 3" binders, actually). I am interested in different techniques so have designated them by technique. Pieced blocks go in one, paper piecing is seperated by a divider. I have one for redwork, embroidery, and crazy quilts (which are embellished with embroidery). One for applique. I keep my drawings and notes, yardages, fabric swaps, the circumstances for the quilt (gift, charity auction, etc) and a picture in see-through sleeves.

I like the freedom that I have in controlling what info goes in and how much space I want to devote to it. That is the advantage of purchasing a formal quilting journel.

Welcome to the forum. Hope this info was helpful.

When I draw up my own designs for quilts, or just want to jot an idea down or draw a sketch, I use graph paper. I have a tablet that is just graph paper. Since I bought that, I found this: http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/ on line. You need Adobe to open them, but you can then print them out. They have several different types of graph paper.
Hope this Helps!
Jami

thanks for that link, Jami. I had a feeling that graph paper was about it, or a notebook. I just wanted to figure out how people keep some of there ideas together.

Well, I just go by a sketch (sometimes), mainly I have a picture in my head, then put my blocks up on a design wall (Flannel sheet - used to be pinned to the wall, two houses ago , then tacked onto a 2x2 board that can be draped over top of my cupboard doors. ) When I like the layout, then I figure out width of borders, sashings if any, etc. I have never been organized enough to write things down in a journal/notebook (on a scrap of paper sometimes - not always a good idea - they grow feet ) but I do have a graph paper pad 1/4" grid that I have used. I have never yet followed a complete written pattern. And I can start out with a set number of fabrics to use, but almost always end up adding more - guess I'm scrappy at heart!! But I do love the look of only a few fabrics, just haven't made too many like that, mainly baby quilts for nieces/nephews.

Jami, thanks for the link, I'll have to check that out!

Gerda

Jami
What a wonderfull site.... locked in the favorits....
Going to try this out. It beats doing it by ruler....
Again thanks for posting it
Julia

Jami, I just want to 'ditto' red-ju-ju, that is a wonderful site, I have also put it on my favourites.
Marg

Jami

Thanks for the link - very useful

Milica

Hello...I know I am jumping in here late, but I have a couple quilts on my flickr photo site that I designed.
http://flickr.com/photos/blewbird/

One is the "Train Quilt" and the other is the "Pelican" These were both done with machine applique. My printer has the ability to print a picture or sketch out at "Poster" size....so, after printing, I tape the picture back together and use that as my pattern.

If I am designing a "traditional" type patchwork, graph paper is the way to go. Just be sure to add in your seam allowances to your measurements!