Abstract:
Quilt swag decoration template set ( 10 ) includes adjustable tracing pattern template ( 15 ) for creating a shape of predetermined length for marking and cutting out swag pieces ( 120 ) and adjustable placement template ( 45 ) for marking the location for placing each swag piece ( 120 ) to create a swag decoration ( 119 ) on border ( 115 ) of a quilt ( 110 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention related in general to tools for making quilts, and more specifically to a set of templates for making and placing pieces for a swag border for a quilt. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fabric quilts are often used as bedspreads, lap throws, or decorative wall hangings. Quilts are made by sandwiching a layer of filling between two layers of fabric and attaching them together by sewing through all three layers with many lines of stitching. A “pieced quilt” is a quilt with a top fabric layer that is made up of several pieces of fabric sewn together before the quilting stitching is sewn. 
   Often, a pieced quilt includes a central pattern enclosed by a border of large strips of fabric, as seen in  FIG. 3 . A popular method of embellishing a border is to make a pieced “swag” design consisting of generally crescent-shaped swag pieces arranged end to end and appliquéd onto the border so as to make a scalloped frame. 
   A border composed of an integral number of complete swag pieces in each side of the frame is more pleasing than a border that includes partial swag pieces on one or more sides. 
   A traditional method of cutting swag pieces from fabric is to create a crescent-shaped paper template by tracing two curves of different radius. Frequently, the curves are traced from two different circular objects, such as a large dinner plate and a smaller dessert plate. The two ends may be made blunt instead of pointed so that finished swag piece has a neater appearance. This traditional method does not require any special tools other than what can be found in any household, but it can often involve much experimentation to achieve a template of the correct length such that the border contains an integral number of swag pieces. The paper template is then used to mark fabric for cutting the swag pieces. 
   Handmade quilts, especially quilts intended to be wall hangings, do not always have standard dimensions. Thus, a paper template for cutting swag pieces is not necessarily usable for every quilt. Also, paper templates wear out quickly. For both these reasons, the tedious trial and error of creating a paper template must usually be done each time a swag border is put on a quilt. 
   Another problem with this traditional method of creating swag designs is positioning each swag piece properly before appliquéing it. Swag pieces are arranged easily if their ends are all aligned along one edge of the border strips. However, it is often preferred for artistic reasons that the swag design be displaced from the edges of the border. In this case, each end of each swag piece must be the same distance from the edges of the border. Unless this distance is measured carefully with a tool such as a T-square, the measurements tend to be imprecise, causing the swag design to waver. 
   Thus, there has been need for a template tool for creating the outline for a swag decoration piece of the correct length to fit around a quilt border of arbitrary dimensions an integral number of times. There is a need for a template tool that does not require the user to adjust the length by trial and error. Also, there is a need for a template that is re-useable, inexpensive, and sturdy. 
   Further, there is a need for a tool to aid precise placement of the swag pieces on the border. Also, there is a need for a tool that allows swag pieces to be easily placed without aligning the pieces on an edge of the border. Also, there is a need for a swag placement tool that is re-usable, inexpensive, and sturdy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a set of two adjustable template tools for creating and placing swag decoration pieces on the border of a quilt. The set includes a tracing pattern template tool for drawing an outline of a swag piece on fabric or paper and a placement template tool for marking a line on the quilt border where each swag piece is to be placed. 
   Both adjustable template tools are slidably adjustable to any length within a range, for example, a set could create swag pieces of any length from 12 to 15 inches. The required length of swag pieces is calculated by dividing the length of a section of the border by the number of swag pieces desired in that section. The tracing pattern template tool can optionally be used to create an outline for a special swag piece to be placed in each corner of the border. 
   Once the length for the swag pieces is determined, both template tools are set to that length. Setting the length is done by sliding the ends of a template tool until the length, in inches, is indicated by cooperative indication means, such as a ruler on one piece and an indicator mark on the other piece. 
   When both template tools are adjusted to the same length, the lower curve of the placement template matches the upper curve of the tracing pattern template. 
   The tracing pattern template has a generally crescent-shaped outline. The user traces around the tracing pattern template with a pencil or fabric marking tool directly onto the fabric to be cut or onto paper. Many paper patterns may be outlined and cut out, then placed onto the fabric to be cut around. Use of paper patterns avoids marking on the fabric and makes layout for cutting more efficient. 
   The placement template is used to mark the positions on the quilt border where swag pieces are to be placed. The “drop” that is, the vertical displacement of the swag pieces from the inner edge of the border, is pre-determined or determined by eye while sliding the placement template vertically and the amount of drop, as indicated on the two drop rulers of the placement template, is noted. The lower curve of the placement template is marked as an arc onto the border, then the placement template is moved to the position for the next placement, using the drop rulers to keep the template level so as to have the desired drop. 
   The swag pieces are placed by pinning or basting each one with its upper curve on an arc marked using the placement template. The swag pieces are sewn in place. 
   The features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood when the detailed description thereof is read in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of the Quilt Swag Decoration Template Set of the present invention, including the placement template and the tracing pattern template. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded top view of the tracing pattern template of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top environmental view of the method of making a swag decoration on a quilt border, using the placement template of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view, partly cut away, of an alternative preferred embodiment of the template set of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a top view of the Quilt Swag Decoration Template Set  10  of the present invention, including the placement template  45  and the tracing pattern template  15 . 
     FIG. 2  is an exploded top view of tracing pattern template  15  of  FIG. 1 . Tracing pattern template  15  includes a left piece  20  and a right piece  30 . 
     FIG. 3  is a top environmental view of the method of making a swag decoration  119  comprising a plurality of swag pieces  120  on a border  115  of a quilt  110 , using placement template  45  of  FIG. 1  to mark the locations where swag pieces  120  are to be sewn. Swag pieces  120  were previously cut from fabric using tracing pattern template  15  to mark the outlines. 
   It is aesthetically pleasing to create a swag decoration  119  that comprises an integral number of swag pieces  120  and that does not include partial swag pieces  120 , even if the quilt border  115  is of non-standard dimensions. To accomplish this, both tracing pattern template  15  and placement template  45  are adjustable in length over a certain range. The required length of swag pieces is calculated by dividing the length of a section of the border by the number of swag pieces desired in that section. A Quilt Swag Decoration Template Set  10  that includes the length in its range is then selected or obtained. 
   Left piece  20  of tracing pattern template  15  includes tapered end  21 , overlap end  22 , upper edge  23 , lower edge  24 , and cooperative slide means  26 , such as a pair of slots  27 . Right piece  30  includes tapered end  31 , overlap end  32 , upper edge  33 , lower edge  34 , and cooperative slide means  36 , such as two pairs of tabs  37  adapted to fit within slots  27 . Many other cooperative slide means will be apparent to one skilled in the art but are not illustrated. 
   The preferred embodiment of tracing pattern template  15  shown in the figures has a generally crescent-shaped outline with a length between left tapered end  21  and right tapered end  31  that is adjustable to any length within its range, as determined by cooperative slide means  26 ,  36 , which in the embodiment illustrated is from 12 to 15 inches. Other preferred embodiments have different useful ranges. Other preferred embodiments may have different general outlines that are capable of being varied in length over a range of a few inches. 
   Left piece  20  includes cooperative length indication means, such as length ruler  25 , and right piece  30  includes cooperative length indication means, such as indication feature  35 . The length of tracing pattern template  15  is adjusted by sliding tabs  37  along slots  27  until indication feature  35  is aligned with the desired length shown on ruler  25 . Because left piece  20  is typically made of transparent plastic, indication means  35  is visible through left piece  20  or by viewing tracing pattern template  15  from above upper edges  23 ,  33 . Many other cooperative indication means will be apparent to one skilled in the art but are not illustrated. In  FIG. 1 , tracing pattern template  15  is shown as adjusted to a length of 12 inches. 
   Once adjusted to the desired length, tracing pattern template  15  may be placed directly onto the fabric to be used for making the swag pieces  120 , seen in  FIG. 3 . The outline of tracing pattern template is traced around with a suitable marking tool and the marked fabric cut out. 
   Alternatively, the tracing pattern template  15  may be placed on paper and traced. Many paper patterns may be marked and cut out. All the paper patterns are then placed onto the fabric and temporarily affixed, as is well known. The patterns may then be cut around to cut out the swag piece from the fabric. 
   Typically, the fabric piece is cut ¼ inch larger than the paper pattern to form a margin. The margin is turned under with the paper pattern still attached. The margin may be snipped to ease the corners, as is well known in the art of sewing. The paper pattern serves as a folding guide to make it easier to turn the correct amount of margin under. The folded margin may be basted or ironed into place before attaching the fabric piece to the border. 
   Placement template  45  is shown in  FIG. 1  above tracing pattern template  15 . Placement template  45  includes a left piece  50  and a right piece  70 , which are slidably attached together similarly to tracing pattern template  15 . 
   Placement template left piece  50  includes an outer end  51  including a foot  52 , a flat edge  54 , curved edge  56 , and cooperative slide means  57 , such as a pair of slots  58 . Right piece  70  includes an outer end  71  including a foot  72 , a flat edge  74 , curved edge  76 , and cooperative slide means  77 , such as two pairs of tabs  78  adapted to fit within slots  58 . 
   Left piece  50  includes cooperative length indication means, such as length ruler  55 . Right piece  70  includes cooperative length indication means such as indication feature  75 . Indication feature  75  is aligned with the desired length indicated on length ruler  55  to adjust the length of curved edges  56 ,  76  between left foot  52  and right foot  72  to be the desired length of the swag pieces  120  that will be arranged end to end to form swag decoration  119 . When placement template  45  is adjusted so as to have the same length as tracing pattern template  15  is adjusted to have, curved edges  56 ,  76  of placement template  45  combine to form the same curve as the combined upper edges  23 ,  33  of tracing pattern template  15 . 
   The adjusted placement template  45  is used to mark a curved line onto quilt border  115  to show where the upper edge  122  of a swag piece  120  is to be sewn. The swag decoration  119  shown in  FIG. 3  is “floating” in border  115 , that is, swag pieces  120  do not have their ends or any other part adjacent to edge  116  of border  115 . To mark a consistent displacement “x” of the swag pieces from the inner edge  116  of border  115 , the displacement desired, hereafter called the “drop,” is measured using left drop ruler  53  and right drop ruler  73  of placement template  45 . 
   The amount of drop desired can be pre-determined, such as from a printed pattern, or chosen by eye, shifting placement template  45  or a cut out swag piece  120  up and down on border  115  until a pleasing drop “x” is found. The distance “x” is then measured using drop rulers  53 ,  73 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 3 , placement template  45  has been aligned with corner  117  on inner edge  116  of border  115 , to begin marking the locations for swag pieces  120 . Both drop rulers  52 ,  72  are placed so as to indicate identical drops “x”, using edge  116  of border  115  as a reference. Placement template  45  is made from transparent plastic to allow edge  116  to be seen through placement template  45 . Placement line  121  is marked with any suitable fabric marking tool and the position of left end  80  of flat edge is also marked, such as by a pencil or straight pin. 
   Placement template  45  is then moved parallel to border  115  such that the right end  81  of right flat edge  74  is positioned at the mark indicating the previous position of left end  80 . Drop rulers  52 ,  72  are positioned relative to edge  116  so as to indicate the correct drop, and another placement line  121  is marked. After placement lines  121  for all swag pieces  120  are marked, swag pieces  120  are put into place by matching each swag upper edge  122  with a placement line  121 . Swag pieces  120  are typically basted or pinned in location. Each swag piece  120  is then sewn onto border  115 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , placement lines  121  would result in a line of swag pieces  120  that do not meet along corner diagonal  118  of border  115 . To fill this square space centering on corner diagonal  118 , a compatible decorative piece may be made by using template set  10 . The user cuts a piece of paper the same size as the empty corner of border  115  and folds the paper in half diagonally. 
   Placement template  45  is used to make a partial placement line  121  on the folded paper, using the same drop as was used for the swag pieces  120 . Tracing pattern template  15  is then placed on placement line  121  and a partial outline of tracing pattern template  15  (all that will fit on the paper) is traced onto the folded paper. The outline is cut out through both layers of paper and unfolded. The resulting paper pattern is symmetrical, fits the corner perfectly, and is compatible with swag pieces  120 . This pattern is then used to cut out a fabric piece that is sewn into the corner space. The fold in the center of the pattern is placed on corner diagonal  118 . 
   Alternatively, the length of swag pieces  120  may be calculated such that swag pieces  120  sewn end to end to make a frame that is continuously connected around corner diagonals  118 . In this case, no corner decoration is needed. 
     FIG. 4  is a top view, partly cut away, of an alternative preferred embodiment of the template set  10  of  FIG. 1 . Combination template  10 A is used both for tracing a pattern for swag pieces  120  and for measuring and marking a line  121  for the placement of swag pieces  120 , generally as described above. Combination template  10 A includes right piece  30 A with taper end  31 A, and drop indication means such as foot  92  and drop ruler  93 . Left piece  20 A, not shown, also includes foot  92  and drop ruler  93  and is substantially a mirror-image of right piece  30 A. 
   To create an outline for a swag piece  120 , the length of combination template  10 A is set and the outline of combination template  10 A is traced around, except for the outline of foot  92 . After drawing the outline, combination template  10 A is removed from the paper or fabric and a line segment is added connecting upper corner  81 A and lower corner  82  to complete the outline. 
   To mark placement lines  121 , the drop “x” is measured using drop rulers  93 , as described above. Placement line  121  is marked by tracing right upper edge  33 A and left upper edge  23 A (not shown) of combination template  10 A onto quilt border  115 , instead of lower edges  76 ,  56  of placement template  45 . 
   Although particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various changes may be made in the form, composition, construction, and arrangement of the parts herein without sacrificing any of its advantages. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.