This isn't so much a tip or trick as it is a different way to look at the stencils you already have.

Once you start looking for designs that can work together, you may discover combinations you hadn't thought of before. Instead of thinking of each stencil as a design that has to stand on its own, think of your stencils as building blocks. You can combine them in whatever way works for your quilt.

Below are a few combinations I know will join together nicely. The two music designs are probably the most obvious examples, but there are lots of possibilities once you start looking!

Bigfoot in the Woods

The trees in The Woods #40079 match up very nicely with A Bigfoot Sighting #40096.

This is really what I'm talking about — using stencils as building blocks and combining them to create a larger scene or design. Bigfoot doesn't have to wander around by himself. Put him in the woods where he belongs!

Music & All That Jazz

Here are two stencils that were practically made for each other: Music #40056 and All That Jazz #40002.

They connect beautifully and let you add some variety while keeping the quilting design related throughout your project.

Even if you find two stencils you'd like to combine and they don't match up perfectly, you can still make them work. It may take a little ingenuity where the designs meet, but that's part of the fun!

Alternate Designs for a Completely Different Look

With White Winter with Snowman Border #40005, the snowmen and snowflakes are already on the same stencil — but have you ever thought about quilting them alternately in a row?

Where the designs meet, you can improvise as needed. I think it makes a really interesting border and gives you another way to use a stencil you may already own.

Build a Scene: Cabin in the Woods

Here's another natural combination: The Woods #40079 and Cabin in the Woods #40020.

They also connect beautifully. And, as you can see, once you start mixing designs, you can have a cabin in the woods and Bigfoot lurking around nearby!

Look at Where the Designs Meet

Here's another combination I found!

The trick is to look at where one design ends and another begins. If those points are in roughly the same place, there's a good chance you can make the designs flow together.

Sometimes the connecting points are in the middle, like Mod Box #77036 and Mod Boxes with Bubbles #77015. Other times they're toward the top or bottom.

And they don't have to line up perfectly. You can simply travel up or down a little with your quilting line to connect the two designs.

Now Take Another Look at Your Stencil Collection

Pull out the stencils you already own and look at them with fresh eyes. Don't just look at the overall design — look at where the quilting lines begin and end.

You may discover some fun combinations hiding in your collection!

And if you find two Full Line Stencils that work especially well together, let me know. I'd love to see what you come up with — and you might just inspire another quilter!