My Absence of Patterns

I don’t use patterns.  I get asked over and over again, and while I think many don’t believe me and think I’m hiding my trade secrets, fact is I’m not. I don’t use them. I use something I call “cutting geomtery”.

It sounds better than “freehanding it”.

Basically it’s this: I use 9×12 sheets of felt. I start by dividing them in half, either horizontally or vertically and then start dividing from there. Cut it that way get six 3″ circles (small pincushon tops or bottlecap balls), another and you get two 6″ circles (larger pincusion tops) and more 3″ circles. Fold that half again in half longwise and cut along it and you get two strips, use one for a small pincushion side, or two for a large side (just stitch together) or  you have six 3″ circles for balls.

See what I’m getting at? No? These pics might help explain.

Below are representations of 9×12 sheets of felt.

The thick straight lines is the line is the first cut to cut it in half
My shelves are fronted with these half sheets, since most everything I do is based off these 9×6 sheets I call tem my “working stacks”

The fine straight lines are the second cuts to divide it up into 3″x3″  or 6″x6″squares
I keep these in special boxes organized by color so any sheet I cut ges immediately dispatched into various sizes depending what I need. I never ever have any sheets in my stacks that have chunks cut out, it annoys me.

So here are the three most common ways I cut up my sheets, and if you look at these as two half sheets, you will pretty much see every way I cut them up, click to enlarge!

The little rectangular piece in the lower right (of pic 3) I will usually keep as is, these are perfect for bottle cap sides, bottoms and  to make buttonballs. I cut bottlecap bottoms and sides as I go, some designs use taller sides than others. If in a pinch I use these 3″ squares and rectangles for my punch cut pieces too if I run out of scraps to use.

I also quarter the 3″ squares to make violet and poinsettia leaves as well as flowers – so it all works out on various levels.

Now the last picture (pic 4)-  this is my mega  size. You will see this used on my Americana or Large Cherry blossom  ones. A big 12″ circle. This is the only time I ever usually grab a full sheet.

And yes I free hand cut the rounded corners, it’s easy enough to do and this larger design  doesn’t need exact.

Anyway, i hope these have helped you explain my process, and why I don’t use patterns!