Imagine Quilts by Dana Bolyard - The Jolly Jabber Quilting Blog

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Imagine Quilts by Dana Bolyard

252 Comments
Hello fellow quilters! We were excited when one of our bloggers, Dana of Old Red Barn and Co. invited us to check out her book, Imagine Quilts and share the love with all of you! Imagine Quilts will spur your imagination and help you start turning your own quilt ideas into reality. 
Ampersand quilt

Dana encourages you to get inspiration from different places like your fabric stash, classic quilts, and even everyday objects! 

Scribbles quilt
Elephant Parade quilt
Here’s a look at some of the quilts in the book!
Dana was kind enough to give away 5 autographed copies of her book to our amazing Jolly Jabber readers. For a chance to win a copy of Imagine Quilts, all you need to do is let us know what inspires you to create quilts in the comments section of the post. We will randomly pick 5 winners on March 5th, 2015. Good luck everyone and let your imagination run wild! 

And the Winners are….

252 comments

  1. My quilts are inspired by family and friends– their hobbies, favorite colors, personality! Dana's quilts looks inspirational also, especially Dance Floor!

  3. Many times I'm inspired by beautiful fabric! I'm such a fabric geek! I love the idea of creating something that could still be here long after I'm gone!

  5. My inspiration is the joy I receive from the beautiful fabrics and patterns. There are so many. My granddaughters and family getting joy from using them and seeing them being used.

    Thanks for the chance! Love the quilts 🙂

  6. I have a great need to create, and my love of fabric feeds my need for quilting. I find inspiration in just about everything, even some downright strange things!

  9. Precuts inspire me — especially jelly rolls!! Appreciate the time saved not having to cut those strips. When I see a line of fabric with a theme that I know a family member or friend identifies with, I get busy!! Thanks for the chance to win what looks like an awesome book!!

  12. When I quilt I want it to be for someone whom I love or who loves quilts and will appreciate them to use – not just to look out. Made a baby quilt recently and the Mom called to ask if it was to use or to look at. I said to use and wear out. She said good because her the baby snuggled in it every morning and she didn't want to hurt my feelings if it was just to look at.

  13. A fabric can get my mind racing to design a quilt. When someone I know mentions something they really like, off my mind goes designing again. Most of these "quilts" never get made, but I sure enjoy the designing. Sometimes it leads to a totally different quilt that does get made.

  15. I am inspired by lots of things… if I am going to make a quilt for someone in particular, I use the things I know about this person to help decide the final design.

  17. I usually will make a quilt as a gift for a friend or someone in my own family. The inspiration comes from either a fabric I see which reminds me of one of those people, whether it's a color they love, or maybe something having to do with a hobby the do. And, of course, for Grandkids, the inspiration comes from their latest movie obsession or toys they love like cars or dolls etc.

  18. I get inspired looking at colors in magazines, especially garden articles, and women's clothing catalogs. Of course your blog is also a great inspiration. Thanks for inspiring!

  19. Fabric and books are my inspirations for my quilts. I may start with the fabric or maybe the book and then go from there. This book looks like it is full of inspiration. Thanks

  20. I am inspired to quilt by the person for whom I am making the quilt, or by the fabric I see and can't resist working with, or by something around me–usually a tile or brick floor or a pattern in nature like bark or leaves or branches.

  22. I see things that I like in shops and ideas from others and then as I start on a basic, I see where I can make it my own. I have fun seeing how the project turns out.

  23. Bloggers, Pinterest, my quilty friends in my bees and guild, and even a black & white picture of tile in the newspaper! Inspiration can come from anywhere, and whatever inspires you should not be ignored – or recycled. 😉

  27. What insires me – better question is what doesn't inspire me! I love nature , family, and all color! I love her whale! Would love to see it in my Grandsons room!

  29. Inspiration comes from everywhere, birds,trees, flowers, bugs, other peoples quilts, museums, churches, drawings, you name it. Sometimes it can be a crazy dream.

  31. I love that "ooh!" moment when I happen to see a design pop out of the window design or the ad in a magazine. Sometimes it's even a reflection off the store window meeting the items in the display. Makes the paper come out of the purse.
    Thanks for the give a way. rjc2cam@gmail.com

  34. I'm newish to quilting, but so far I'm usually inspired by the person who will receive the quilt and then the fabric! I am also becoming inspired by other's projects and patterns. Thanks! Sarah: crjandsbj(at)netzero(dot)com

  35. My sister in law inspires me. Her way with color and pattern just amazes me and makes me want to sew, sew and sew some more. So sad she will be moving soon.

  39. hahaha all my students are grown up and having children……lots of quilts……all my relatives need quilts…….all their kids and their grandkids need quilts and those who are not fortunate to have a quilter in their lives need quilts too. I will never run out of people to share with.

  40. Lots of things inspire me to make a quilt, but probably the main inspiration is the gorgeous fabrics out there. And having plenty of grandkids wanting quilts in their favorite colors. Thanks for the giveaway – I love the whale quilt especially.

  41. Sometimes I am inspired by a need. A Quilt for someone who needs healing, laughter, comfort and what I know about them and their life . Sometimes its just talking to another quilter and seeing what they are creating and it sets my mind to spinning and sometimes its set off by the blogs I check each day.

  42. am meisten insoiriert mich meine restkiste, da kommen immer die besten idee,
    schönen tag noch und vielleicht hab ich ja glück
    lg elfriede

  43. I am absolutely in love with the Elephant Parade quilt! It's fabulous. I find in get inspired by color combinations that appeal to my eye and make me happy. Lime green and purple are my inspirations for my next project.

  44. My family and friends, blogs, pinterest, a special occasion, and sometimes random thoughts/ideas, a what if?, start me thinking. Thanks for the giveaway!

  45. I'm inspired by the fabrics available both in the stores as well as in my stash! I want to do it all! I read several magazines, blogs etc. and never grow tired of seeing what other quilters are doing. I'm a traditional quilter and gravitate toward the quilts that are reminiscent of past times, but I find myself attracted to the newer modern quilts as well.

  49. Love fabric: however, patterns from magazines which could be used for a fun modern creation. Enjoy it all!!

  53. Mostly my inspiration come from quilts other people made. But hands down I tend to change these patterns then up to make them more me;-)

  57. I am inspired by the person receiving the quilt and also just by the fabric patterns and prints.

  58. On the deepest level, I'm inspired by my grandmother who quilted.
    While I am inspired by all of the wonderful designers, quilt bloggers, teachers and fabrics its specifically, Kimberly's Jelly Roll Jam tutorial which set the hook in my soul. I think about fabric and quilts all the time now. What a peaceful misery to fret over which fabric I must have over the many I love, the ones I missed and the new ones yet to come. **sigh**

  59. The ampersand quilt reminds me of a game my mom & I play on road trips to quilting retreats. She calls it "Ampersandisms", and we think up all the songs or phrases that have "and" in between-like peaches & cream, bread & butter, Me & My Sister Designs-you get the picture! We get inspired by so many things-right now I'm going crazy on Pinterest. So many beautiful quilts! Also art journal photos inspire for color & shape.
    Peggy

  62. Seeing other peoples quilts and fabrics inspire me. I just wish I had more time to do all I want to do! This work thing really gets in the way sometimes!! Thanks so much for the chance to win this great book – I'm sure it'll inspire me!! 🙂
    Debby E
    samtaylorcjsmimi (at) yahoo (dot)com

  64. I am inspired by what the designers, other quilters have made. There are so many creative people out there and they have so many wonderful ideas. We are so lucky to have the internet and can see what others are making. Thanks for a chance to win.

  66. I'm always attracted to certain color combinations. I'm still learning how to combine color so the internet has been so valuable. Looking at and reading about the creative process of others is indeed inspirational. Thank you for the chance to win such a wonderful book, from a truly super creative person.

  68. Many things bring inspiration–working in the garden and seeing a pleasant color combination of flowers (purple, green, yellow) or browsing fabric in a LQS and spying a great design collection or reading a book on quilting and falling in love with a pattern. So many options!! Love the designs in the new book, Imagine Quilts! Thanks for a chance in the giveaway.

  69. I get a lot of my inspiration from magazines. Whenever an ad or photos of rooms catch my eye, I stop and consider the colors, the proportions, and combinations.

  70. My daughter who has a great eye for colors, movement, and everything else that needs to be combined into creating a quilt. Thank you for the giveaway.

  73. I am inspired to quilt for family and friends but the fabric has to speak to me as well. Recently a friend of mine turned 50 and she loves gardening. I tried to pick out flower material but it was just not coming together. Then I saw this gorgeous Layer cake of batiks with floral theme and the quilt almost put itself together.

  75. I'm inspired by my quilting friends and the talented bloggers that share there work with the rest of us in the world.
    Thank you for the opportunity to win this book and to spread our wings.

  77. This book would be a great birthday present to me–my birthday is March 5! To answer your question, I am inspired to make quilts when I love the design of a quilt, first and foremost.

  78. I think being is inspired just comes from about anyplace and anything if you just quiet your heart and mind to be open to what is around you. Also all the new fabric lines are enough to get anyone inspired.

  79. I am greatly inspired by the gorgeous fabrics available! I see so many that I want to use in quilts and small projects! Reading blogs has inspired me too. So much so that I started my own! I just love seeing what others are doing these days.

  81. I am inspired by so many things. Sometimes I don't even know where it comes from; I just love to design and create. Inspiration is everywhere!

  84. I'm inspired by my group of seven very dear quilting friends. I'm the newbie — they're all awesome quilters who have befriended me and taught me so much. We've also shared harrowing times (three are breast cancer survivors) and they were my circle of love when our youngest DD got pregnant. We get together about every two months — most of them live 100 miles from me. We're getting together next weekend. I can't wait!

  85. I'm inspired by so many different things. In particular strong graphic design because I'm a graphic designer by trade and love bringing strong elements into my work. Would love to win and add this book to our MQG library since I'm the librarian.

  87. I am inspired by other people's quilts – especially their color choices. That's right – other people inspire me and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

  94. I am inspired by nature, especially animals. But I prefer an abstract representation of it. I'm also a minimalist so I love solid fabrics. I lean toward bright color but also include neutrals for balance. This book is great – thanks for the giveaway!

  98. I always get inspired by fabrics. Once I see a collection I like I start hunting down a pattern to create them into something magical!

  99. I grew up with quilts. The history passed from generations, and the stories shared. I love knowing that I am carrying on the tradition.
    I love color and pattern and knowinng I can make a new story to share.

  102. I'm inspired to make quilts because they last – they will be here when I'm gone. Thanks for a great giveaway. I would love to win. Thanks again. (debbie at wowilikethat dot com)

  103. Inspiration comes from a variety of places! Becoming a grandmother inspires me to do fun quilts, sometimes I'm taken away by the colors &/or the fabric itself. I've learned also to look at stone work designs & iron work (recently returned from Charleston & saw quite a few black iron work beautiful gates patterns!)
    The book has peaked my imagination, looks interesting.

  105. Wow…what inspires me…that is a tough question to answer. So many things inspire me. A picture, a particular fabric, a pattern, chatting with a friend, looking at anothers work. Most often I am sparked by sight. See something and off I go to the sewing room!!

  106. My garden is my inspiration. In front, we have a water saving lawn with cactus and lilac with visiting butterflies all the time. Out back we have a wild California garden with yellow and red flowers that just rooted and are growing like crazy. If I can't see something there, I'm lost. Love the Elephant Parade Quilt!

  112. I am inspired by traditional quilt block patterns and small print fabrics. I love choosing somethng that fits the person or purpose of what project I'm doing.

  113. Color is my inspiration! Like the blue of the sky or the green of a leaf. When I see a fabric I imagine what i could do with it even if I never even buy that piece.

  115. Thank you for your giveaway! Most of nature inspires me, no matter the season. I especially like spring because it is the birth of vibrant colors.

  117. I'm inspired by seeing all the beautiful work on blogs I follow in addition to just wanting to make something special for the people I am making things for. Thanks!

  120. Fabrics & Patterns inspire me…but I always consider who I am making a quilt for…their likes, colors, style etc are Huge Inspiration. 🙂

    This book is sooo cool! Lots of Great Inspirations for sure! Lots of variety! 🙂 Thanks for chance to win!

  126. I get inspiration from everywhere. On line, patterns, nature, fabric, my grandkids. I have more ideas than I will ever be able to sew in my life time. Thanks for a chance to win Dana's great book. Janita

  129. I'm inspired by lots of different things but nature is probably number one.

    winda_ca at yahoo dot com

  132. Inspiration for me first comes from color and color combos. It can be anything – just something strikes me about the combinations I see. And fabric is just so beautiful – who wouldn't want to paint with cloth? ktsquiltdreams atgmail dotcom

  133. I'm inspired by quilting books and fabrics, as well as preferences of the recipients of my quilts. Dana's book has been on my wishlist for much too long…Thanks for the chance to win it.

  134. I love Dana's blog and have been looking at this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    I am inspired by patterns I see in nature and in the architecture in the buildings around town, especially those around where I work!

    Sandy a

  135. Color inspires me most. I could be any where and bright happy colors jump out and I have to get my idea down on paper before it passes. I think that has something to do with age.

  137. Hiya!!! I find inspiration in lots of things and places, but most comes from the history behind the quilts that I see. Thanks for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!! Pam
    pamspretties57 at gmail dot com

  141. Inspiration comes from all around me, especially patterns on floor tiles and woodwork, and the colors of flowers in the garden.

  142. What inspires me changes constantly…it may be a pattern, or picture, a friend's quilt that I just HAVE to make myself or a luscious fabric that just whispers my name then screams make something with me!

  143. Sometimes it is the fabric; sometimes it is a blog post; sometimes =it is a picture of a quilt in a magazine or on the web. I wish I could make up quilt designs out of thin air, but I
    can't

  145. I am inspired by many things – fabric, color, magazines, other peoples' creations, Pinterest, etc. My head is constantly full of ideas, and I can't seem to get through a day without either working on a quilt or drawing up the plans for one!

  148. Everything I look at I can see a quilt pattern it. Commercials on tv, flowers, plants, floors, walls, doors. Everything is a pattern. Personalities of people I love inspire me also to name a quilt after them.

  149. Thank you for hosting the giveaway! Fabrics and the satisfaction of making a quilt out of those fabrics is what inspire me. weitay at Gmail dot com

  154. I am inspired by many of the things others listed, but behind them all are the quilts and pillows that my grandmother collected from antique shops in Maine when I was a child. They seem to have stuck in my subconscious!

  156. Usually my quilts and all sewing is made for someone special so I try to use their favourite colours and think of their home too. Thanks for a great giveaway. x

  157. Most of my inspiration comes from family. The challenge is to find just the right fabric for the person receiving the quilt.
    I also enjoy quilt patterns that have a simple, graphic twist (like Ampersand–that bold quality is always fun.

  161. Looking at others' quilts, looking at colours in Nature, sometimes paintings, magazines, books, are all places I get inspiration. This looks like a lovely book. Love that whale quilt. 🙂

  162. So many places to find inspiration! But my favorite is from blogs. I follow almost 100 different quilt blogs and probably find too much inspiration! Eh, who am I kidding? There's no such thing as too much! 😉

  163. So many places to find inspiration! But my favorite is from blogs. I follow almost 100 different quilt blogs and probably find too much inspiration! Eh, who am I kidding? There's no such thing as too much! 😉

  166. Inspiration comes to me from all quarters — other quilts and quilters, nature, architecture, even floor patterns. I'm always a bit surprised at what sparks my imagination.

  167. My quilt inspiration comes from what I hear people say they like (colors/collections, etc) and knowing if I surprise them with a quilt, it will make them smile. I also am inspired by my own creativity and silliness from my second designing.

  170. Thank you for a chance to win this great book. I make a quilt to fit the personality of person I am making the quilt for.

  171. I get inspiration from beautiful quilts others have made, as well as from quilting books and magazines. I also get my leads from the intended recipient.

  172. Much of my quilting is inspired by the people for whom I'm sewing. I made coffee themed place-mats for one son, wine themed place-mats for a daughter and am working on a baseball quilt for my grandson and planning a chemistry themed quilt for my professor son. Colors & mood also play a role in my quilting endeavors.

  174. My family inspires me to make quilts! I would not even know how to quilt if it wasn't for people out there in you tube land especially Kimberly who post fabulous tutorials!

  177. Lately i have been inspired by babies. I have 6 quilts made and 4 more to go so i can to donate to local charity.Should have them all done before Easter. this page gave me some new ideas.
    JLB

  181. I am constantly inspired by the creativeness of bloggers like YOU who share their creations. I pin many of them so I can choose one when I'm ready for a new project.

  186. I get inspiration from a lot of sources. Beautiful quilts others have made, color schemes that touch a chord, nature, natural history, and, most especially, the people I plan to make them for.

  191. I'm inspired by the endless creativity I see from bloggers. I'm working on my first quilt now but I have dozens upon dozens of ideas bookmarked for "one day"! Thanks for the giveaway. bwwedprep(at)yahoo(dot)com

  192. I get inspired by looking at quilt sites, magazines, and books. Also by looking at blankets in magazines . The modern quilts really get me thinking outside of the box for my quilts. Often I design my own backs for my quilts to use of my leftover fabric. So it helps to look at other quilts for ideas.

  195. This looks like a really fun book! I am inspired by my favorite unit, HST, my favorite colors, beautiful fabrics and precuts, and mostly, other quilters..

  198. Blogs, Pinterest, and quilt shows…but if only I'd make time to actually quilt more than just say "Ooo, I want to make that!" 😉

  200. My inspiration comes from my family. I like to match quilts to my kid's and grandkid's personalities. Some are light and bright, some are more subdued….yes, I tend to overthink things sometimes 😉

  203. I am inspired by nature, flowers in spring, a home's landscape, pretty much anything outdoors.

  205. I am inspired by a conversation with my daughter or a picture on instagram or a color in a magazine that catches my eye!

  206. Right now I'd have to say I'm being inspired by bright colors and prints. I'm creating a quilt using Laurel Burch's Holiday Celebrations and the colors are amazing. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.

  209. I am inspired by color, pattern and by stories. I love to weave a story about the person who might be receiving what I am making, how will they use it? what color do I want them to see first? How do I want them to feel with the item?

  210. Inspiration is always all around me, but at the current time, using my stash with new patterns is currently "it" for me. So much fun pulling fabrics from my stash!! Thanks for doing this giveaway and have a great day!!

  219. It might be easier to answer what doesn't since that would be a more limited answer. Some of my inspirations include other quilts, nature, and artwork.

  224. Nature, architecture and everyday items always inspire my quilts either by pattern or color choices. Inspiration is all around us!

  227. I just look around me for inspiration. To me, geometry equals a quilt opportunity and since it means "earth measure" there is inspiration wherever I turn. 🙂

  233. Inspiration for the projects currently represented on my design wall include: quilting books, quilting blogs, Pinterest, Threadbias friends, and fabric.

  234. I usually start with the fabrics I love, and build a quilt pattern around showing them off the best – playing colors and patterns off each other.

  235. I get inspiration from everything around me. I have a photo of the tile floor in the Paris Opera House that I want to make into a quilt.
    (linesmary1@gmail.com)

  237. Inspiration from lots of different places makes quilting fun. Fabric, blogs, awesome quilting books (like this one), making that special quilt for a loved one are all what inspires me.

  240. What inspires me is are beautiful quilt patterns, beautiful colors and patterns in the fabric, and the wonderful opportunity to cut up pieces of fabric to create something uniquely me.

  243. What inspires me is the feeling of "no rules" and the meditating feeling I get just following my heart in what inline to do.

  244. Books, Blogs, Pinterest, Fabric, Friends and Family – all inspire me for my projects!

    Thanks for putting my name in the hat for this drawing!

  247. My mother and grandmother sewn quilts all the time for family and for people at the hospitals,Since then I have done the same with my daughter and now we have a New addition for our tradition my 8 year old granddaughter. It always fun!