The Kimberbella Blog

Understanding Kimberbell Background Quilting Designs

Written by Jenny Lyman | Apr 20, 2023 3:13:24 PM

Kimberbell background quilting designs take machine embroidery projects to a whole new level of WOW. And the good news? We keep coming out with more...and more...and more designs so you can build your quilting library and have the perfect pattern for every project!  

While looking for just the right background quilting design, though, have you ever felt just a little confused? I mean, what's the difference between designs shown in BLUE and designs shown in ORANGE? And what's up with the DARK GREY  and LIGHT GREY designs?

Well, friends, I hear you. And once you understand our system, it's very easy to identify what you need.

Our Color System

Meet Liz, Kimberbell's background quilting product manager. Liz and her team are responsible for designing and digitizing the darling background quilting designs you find on kimberbell.com. 

I asked Liz to explain our background quilting designs and why they're shown in different colors. She was more than happy to make this three-minute video to tell you all about it!

Just click the play button, then we'll review the information below. 

 

Isn't Liz great? She and her team do a fabulous job. Here's a recap of the information she shared, just in case you'd like to print it out for reference. 😀

Blue Designs

Designs shown in BLUE  work with Kimberbell Clear Blue Tiles®. These designs create an all-over or custom quilted look, just like you quilted the design on a long-arm machine...

...But you actually used your home embroidery machine!

With Clear Blue Tiles, the continuous pattern of a BLUE design will go through a quilt sandwich of top fabric, batting, and back fabric with the design showing on both sides. 

When you purchase a BLUE background quilting design, you’ll also receive a set of Block-by-Block quilting files in addition to your Clear Blue Tiles quilting files. 

Now let's talk about our second color: ORANGE.

Orange Designs

The ORANGE quilting designs are only available for Kimberbell’s Block-by-Block quilting method. Unlike BLUE  designs, the ORANGE quilting designs will not show on the back of your project.

Block-by-Block files contain batting and fabric tack down lines and are specially digitized so no batting will be in the seams. ORANGE  designs are  ideal for feature quilts, bench pillows, and wall hangings.

Quilt the block first, then stitch your applique or embroidery on top. Then sew your blocks together, add your batting and back fabric, and then stitch in the ditch to complete your project!

ORANGE designs will not work with Clear Blue Tiles. Their orange color means they work well with Kimberbell’s Orange Pop Rulers.®

Dark Grey Designs

Any design shown in GREY is for quilting on borders. The DARK GREY designs work with our Clear Blue Tiles system to create a continuous-looking pattern on border strips. These designs utilize the full length of your embroidery machine hoop.

Like the BLUE designs, these DARK GREY designs will also include a full set of Block-by-Block quilting files (in addition to the Clear Blue Tiles files).

Light Grey Designs

The LIGHT GREY border quilting designs work only with our Block-by-Block quilting method. This is because these designs are exact, repeated patterns. The length of the border is shortened so you can easily match them up from one hooping to the next.

Summary

In conclusion, if you want to use Clear Blue Tiles, you'll look for a BLUE design OR a DARK GREY border design. If you want to add Block-by-Block quilting, you can use any of the colors: BLUE, ORANGE, DARK GREY, or LIGHT GREY.  (They will all work for Block-by-Block quilting! 😀)

Whether you’re using Clear Blue Tiles to finish a baby quilt or our Block-by-Block quilting on a bench pillow, we have the perfect Kimberbell background quilting pattern for YOU! 😍

And remember... please always enter your favorite quilt shop's affiliate link when purchasing Kimberbell background quilting designs. They appreciate it, and so do we! 

Happy stitching!