Quilt Construction Device with Stabilizer Template and Centering Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casual quilt makers face challenges when constructing quilts from fabrics with low-intrafabric stability, as they require additional processing and stabilization, which can be costly and time-consuming, and often necessitate professional assistance for completing the quilt back, adding to the overall expense.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for constructing quilts using a flat body with a back/sash template and centering guide that stabilizes the back of quilt blocks, allowing for easier alignment and stitching of quilt blocks without significant additional time or cost, using a stabilizer template to stabilize the back fabric, reducing the need for professional help and minimizing visible stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If woven fusible stabilizer is applied to reduce fabric instability, then intrafabric stability is improved, but cost increases significantly (two to three times the cost of quilt fabric)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying stabilizer to the front of the fabric pieces as is conventional, this invention applies the woven fusible stabilizer to the back of the quilt. By inverting the stabilization approach, the stabilizer provides necessary support without adding significant cost, as the stabilizer is applied once to the entire quilt back rather than to each individual fabric piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer applied to the quilt back serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides intrafabric stability to low-stability fabrics, maintains interfabric stability between layers during quilting, and supports the weight of the quilt without requiring additional stabilizer layers on each fabric piece.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple layers of fusible stabilizer are used to control fabric distortion, then intrafabric stability is improved, but the stiffness introduced and additional time and cost make it undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by applying stabilizer to the quilt back rather than to individual fabric pieces. This single application provides sufficient stability control for the entire quilt without introducing excessive stiffness or requiring multiple layers, thereby simplifying the overall process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hand-basting and pinning are used to maintain interfabric stability in the working area, then interfabric stability is improved, but a lot of time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer applied to the quilt back performs the stabilizing function in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming hand-basting and pinning during the quilting process. The preliminary stabilization provided by the woven fusible stabilizer on the quilt back maintains interfabric stability throughout stitching without requiring additional time-intensive techniques.
4Stability of the object's composition
If machine pad-stitching with walking foot is used to maintain interfabric stability, then interfabric stability is improved, but the cost of extension table and walking foot, as well as limited pathway of stitches, may discourage use
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is applied in advance to the quilt back, providing preliminary stabilization that eliminates the need for expensive walking feet and extension tables during machine quilting. This preliminary action allows standard home sewing machines to maintain interfabric stability without requiring specialized equipment.
5Stability of the object's composition
If quilt blocks are stabilized at the front instead of the back, then intrafabric stability is improved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional stabilization approach by applying stabilizer to the quilt back rather than to the front of fabric pieces. This inversion dramatically increases productivity because the stabilizer is applied once to the entire quilt back rather than to each individual fabric piece, reducing construction time while maintaining necessary stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for constructing a quilt from a plurality of quilt blocks are described herein. The devices include a flat body having a front planar surface and a rear planar surface that contacts a fabric when in use, the flat body including: a back/sash template for measuring and cutting a back piece of each quilt block; and a centering guide for indicating where quilt blocks in different rows of the quilt will align.