Tips for Origami Quilting

Here is a fun new quilting technique, fabric folder or fabric origami. It takes practice and time, but it is fun.

Fabric origami is the art of creasing and folding pieces of fabric into shapes and designs. The folded pieces of fabric are used for creating gift wrapping, home décor accents, and even quilts.

There are books available, including Fantastic Fabric Folding: Innovative Quilting Projects and Quiltagami: The Art of Fabric Folding, that provide instructions for folding fabric to use in quilts and other projects. This article provides useful tips when using these techniques.

Before You Begin

Before you start cutting pieces of fabric to fold, there are a few things you can do to make the process less frustrating and more enjoyable.

First, start with something simple. The more difficult patterns will be easy to tackle with a little experience.

Read all instructions before you begin. Not only read the instructions, but make sure you understand them! Review any included illustrations and compare them with the instructions.

Practice the folding instructions with paper before trying it with fabric. Before dealing with the unique issues of folding fabric, practice on paper to make sure you understand the instructions and to make sure the completed product is what you though it would be.

Another practice step that is helpful, but not as necessary as those above is to practice the folding instructions on a larger square of fabric than the required size in the instructions. Working on a larger piece of fabric is helpful to see the creases and folds, especially in the later steps of the pattern.

Once you are sure you understand the instructions, you are ready to select your fabric.

Selecting Fabric

There are only a few things to consider when choosing your fabric. As a beginner to origami quilting, 100% cotton fabric is best to use. The cotton fabric is easier to handle and the creases and folds are easier to make than with other fabric. As you advance in origami quilting you may want to experiment with other fabrics like silk.

The pattern of the fabric is another thing to consider when selecting fabric. Fabrics with either no or small design patterns look best. Hand-dyed fabrics are especially good when creating flowers.

Preparing Fabric

After selecting the fabric, properly preparing it saves time and frustration in the long run.

First, iron, iron, and iron again. Make sure there are no creases! In origami, you create a crease for a guideline. Having unwanted creases in the fabric makes folding confusing.

Cut the fabric accurately. Just as accurate cuts are important in other types of quilting, it is important in origami quilting.

Another preparation step that is helpful, but not necessary, is to spray stiffener on the fabric. This provides crisp creases and ensures folds stay in place.

Folding the Fabric

There are several tips to observe while folding the fabric that improves your experience and quilt.

First and most important, do not over handle the fabric. Too much handling, folding, and creasing causes the edges of the fabric to fray. This is another reason that it is good to practice with paper.

Accuracy of the fold is very important, just as it is in paper origami. Uneven folds create gaps and odd shapes in the final product. To help the accuracy, use an iron to create creases even if instructed to only finger press. A mini iron works best and is less likely to accidentally burn you fingers.

Once you complete the pattern, be sure to turn under and tack down any raw edges. This helps to prevent fraying later.

If you follow these tips to create an origami quilt you will find the experience enjoyable. The truly remarkable thing about origami quilts is the uniqueness and compatibility with any kind of embellishment. Do not be afraid of overdoing it! You can use embroidery floss, buttons, patches, and ribbons. Let your imagination go!