Three Quilting Projects To Get Creative With This Quilt Expo

It's the most wonderful time of the year… if you're a quilter, of course! Quilt Expo, Spotlight's yearly love letter to everything quilting, is upon us, which means it's time to grab your rulers, rotary cutters and sewing needles and start quilting! At Spotlight we have everything you need to make incredible quilts in amazing styles, and we'd love to share with you some of our favourite quilting projects. We have projects suitable for beginner quilters and projects for intermediate and experienced quilters looking for a challenge. Check them out here!

Why We Love Quilting!

Quilting has some really nice physical and mental rewards for those who choose to partake. Did you know that quilting has the following benefits?

• Quilting combines your brain's analytical and creative sides when choosing colours and shapes, producing similar benefits to when you are drawing and colouring mandalas or completing art-related puzzles.
• The concentration required to quilt means your brain has to focus entirely on the action of quilting, meaning other stresses and worries in your life will be pushed to the back of your mind. This will help you feel more relaxed as you work and makes quilting a great way to de-stress.
• The use of mathematical formulas, geometry and calculations helps keep your mind sharp, and you'll be doing this a lot when you quilt if you want specific shapes in your project. It keeps your brain engaged and developing, which is very handy for senior quilters in particular.
• Your brain releases happy hormones when you undertake satisfying, enjoyable tasks. Quilting's combination of beautiful colours and patterns, soft-touch materials and repetitive actions are sure to make you feel great!
• Create a beautiful masterpiece for friends and family. Quilting is so rewarding because you have a tangible end result to cherish.

Beginner quilting project - Butterfly Paradise Quilt

Don't let the large number of steps in this quilting project fool you, making the Butterfly Paradise Quilt is a great way for beginners to start their quilting journey. It's made of simple square and triangle shapes, with strips you'll need to press with a steam iron as well. The end product is a very pretty quilt that will look perfect in a child's bedroom!

Intermediate quilting project - Florabelle Wall Hanging

More experienced quilters will enjoy creating the beautiful Florabelle Wall Hanging quilt - but make sure you have your iron ready, because it involves a lot of pressing! You may also like to use quilt basting spray at the beginning to prepare your wadding. This stunning quilt is perfect for displaying on the wall of your living room or bedroom, although avoid hanging it in direct sunlight as the colours may fade.

Advanced quilting project - Ninola Coral Dreams Quilt

Ideal for advanced quilters looking for a challenge, this amazing quilt features an enchanting variety of sea creatures and will have you creating 70 blocks altogether! You'll also be creating curved shapes, so make sure you have your measuring and cutting tools on hand so you can create precise cuts and perfect shapes every time. The finished product is one you can be proud of - hang it on a wall in your home or gift it to a lucky friend if you're feeling generous.

Get quilting with Spotlight

Spotlight has all your quilting supplies online or at your local Spotlight store. Hungry for more quilting projects for beginners and advanced crafters? Check out our quilting projects page online for heaps of creative quilt ideas! You should also read our buying guides on how to choose the right quilting tools and how to choose quilting fabrics to ensure you've got all the correct quilting supplies to bring your quilting patterns to life.