Color Choice I

Have you ever noticed that when we are at our machines sewing we can ramble and talk about all sorts of things? We can solve everyone’s problems--even our own--when at the machine. Today I thought I would ramble about color in the fabric world. Fabrics have come so far and are so vastly different than back in the day. I look at some and my reaction is “I would have never put those colors together but doesn’t that look nice” or “what pill did they take before coming up with that!” Color is like beauty it is in the eye of the beholder and nothing more.

 When I teach quilting classes, one of the first questions asked is “How I pick out what colors to use”. There are so many choices these days so my answer is pick out what you are comfortable with.

 A fantastic way is to purchase pre made kits.  Kits are both easy and economical. You just choose what color theme you like and everything else is included. Most of the time the backing is not included but we all can get creative and chose the backing. I always wait until my quilt top is together before I even choose the back so that I can put what I call “my final thoughts” on the back. For example, that quilt--which I started 2 years ago and I feel so guilty that I have not finished--I will finish and put fireworks on the back because I am so happy it is done!

Another great method to select your colors and theme is to go by collections. Many manufacturers bring out collections which have a theme or color choice. The whole line complements each other so you can’t go wrong.

 You could use a simple color wheel which lets you know about the hues, opposites and harmony we can have in a quilt.

 You can all get color sticks at your favorite hardware paint store. I know Lowes thinks I change color in my house every 3 months because of me browsing over the paint cards so often!

One of my favorite tricks to use when I pick my main fabric is to look at the selvage. You will find a row of color dots which shows each color used to produce this fabric. I know if I choose colors within these color dots they will match and I will like the results. A friend of mine takes her main fabric and finds the least amount of color used within the fabric and matches that. She swears it makes everything else pop on the piece.

Another trick is to audition the fabrics. Take the fabric you would like to use, make the block and put the block on your design wall. Step back and see if you like the combination.  There is nothing worse than putting a top together and then hating the colors!

 Use this trick also on the blocks: Take two mirrors.  Hold the mirrors on the edge of fabric at a 45 degree angle and you will see what your quilt top would look like together.

You can also audition the fabric by folding the fabric and stacking it on top of each other. Take a picture and you can then get a feel for the look of the quilt.

Well I guess that is all I can ramble about today. Just remember it is your quilt so chose what you like and the world will be a better place as you and others enjoy your creation. Happy Quilting!

By CarolinaCotton Company’s Guest Quilter

What kind of quilt kits would you like to see? In the future we will be bringing these forward. Do you have a color scheme, style, feel, collection, or a few fabrics you would like featured in a premade kit ready to use?  Please comment on here or contact us. Our writer mentioned a “design wall”. We have that fun interactive tool online! Thanks for sharing, Quilter!