| There are hundreds of sites online offering all sorts | | | | creating a vibrant and interactive web based |
| of free quilt patterns. Free applique quilt patterns, | | | | community rather than just a static website that is |
| free beginners quilting patterns, free Amish quilt | | | | mainly trying to sell quilting merchandise. They also |
| patterns or a quilt in a day free pattern. You name it | | | | usually offer quilting related articles and resources |
| and there are sites out there offering some kind of | | | | designed to inform and educate members. |
| quilt pattern giveaway. | | | | The kind of interactive features available are things |
| Now these sites are useful and can be helpful in | | | | like personal photo galleries, which give the ability to |
| giving you fresh ideas for new patchwork projects | | | | store, share and showcase digital pictures of your |
| but there is now a new kind of quilting website | | | | own quilt portfolio; a members forum to exchange |
| around that also offers a lot more besides just free | | | | views with other quilters around the world, ask |
| quilting patterns and quilting merchandise. | | | | questions and pass on (or pick up) patchwork and |
| I am talking about quilting community websites that | | | | quilting tips; and also web based utilities that allow |
| provide a specialist online experience where you can | | | | you to set up your own quilting blog and/or a |
| share your passion for patchwork and quilting with a | | | | personal quilting website. |
| group of like-minded enthusiasts. | | | | Many needlecraft workers these days are starting |
| These sites provide a whole new dimension to the | | | | blogs which act as their own online patchwork and |
| online quilting world through the use of the kind of | | | | quilting journal to record their projects and ideas and |
| innovative social networking features that have made | | | | share these with others in the community and (if |
| the social media sites such as My Space and | | | | they choose) the rest of the quilting world. Having |
| Facebook so popular recently. They give quilting | | | | your own website can also become a possibility |
| enthusiasts a corner of quilting cyberspace that | | | | through these online membership sites, even for the |
| becomes their own "online patchwork space". | | | | most technically challenged. Most will be running on a |
| Some of these patchwork and quilting community | | | | software platform designed to make the use of |
| sites operate as free sites and some as subscription | | | | these type of web based applications very easy to |
| based membership sites (usually just charging a small | | | | use and, provided you can use a web browser and a |
| monthly membership fee). However like most things | | | | simple editing tool, you will surely be able to take |
| in life you tend to get what you pay for and as the | | | | advantage of these type of features. |
| saying goes "there is no such thing as a free lunch". | | | | Some of these community sites include more |
| The "free" sites therefore often have copious and | | | | advanced tools as well, such as online "chat" giving |
| sometimes aggressive advertising which many people | | | | the ability to communicate with other members (or a |
| find off putting. | | | | group of members) in "real time" anywhere in the |
| So what type of features do these kind of sites | | | | world without phone charges. This can be by using |
| offer? This can be very variable and can be anything | | | | text messages but also sometimes include the ability |
| from a simple online forum for quilters to a complete | | | | to use audio or even video messaging. Alternatively, |
| suite of online communication tools and utilities. | | | | you may also be able to send pre-recorded audio or |
| At the simplest level you can find groups for quilters | | | | video messages through the site by email (which are |
| (such as those on Google and Yahoo) that permit | | | | just created via the web browser using a simple |
| the exchange of text-based information between | | | | webcam), to other members (or anyone else who |
| members. The problem with these is that they are | | | | has an email address). |
| open to all comers and are often "infiltrated" by | | | | If you are passionate about patchwork and quilting |
| spammers and others who are trying to push | | | | but are bored with run of the mill websites and online |
| unsolicited material, some of which is often of deeply | | | | quilting groups then joining an interactive community |
| dubious (and even offensive) quality. | | | | of quilting enthusiasts might be just what you are |
| Other craft oriented sites can have quite good | | | | looking for. Having the fun (and the features) of |
| member forums but they are sometimes poorly | | | | being involved in a quilting community as well as |
| structured with the forum posts all being made under | | | | having access to free quilting patterns and other |
| a single category (rather than subdivided into special | | | | resources may be something that just takes the |
| interest topics) which means you have to wade | | | | enjoyment of your craft to a new level. If this idea |
| through dozens and dozens of posts to find anything | | | | appeals to you then you need to check out what is |
| of interest to you. | | | | available on the net that will give you the kind of |
| At the other end of the spectrum you get | | | | features and benefits described here and which will |
| patchwork and quilting websites which offer a lot | | | | serve to enrich your online experience by enabling |
| more in the way of member features and benefits. | | | | you to share your passion with fellow quilters around |
| These are intended to provide a more interesting and | | | | the world. |
| fun online environment for craft enthusiasts by | | | | |