Can we talk about white fabric?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
I have one quilt that I made with different white-on-white fabrics. I taught a dresden plate class at the LQS so I had several different blocks that I made while the students were making theirs. I would buy another white-on-white each time so none of them match. But they turned out to be a nice quilt when I decided to put all those blocks together. Would you like to see it?
#12
If there are large pieces of white I sometimes tend to use the same fabric throughout (though that's certainly not a rule) but if there are smaller pieces I like to mix different whites. I like having some that are very bright and others that are not.
#13
I tend to prefer white on whites as I think there's more movement and interest in the fabric. Rarely do I use plain colored fabrics and using a plain white to me just looks odd or as if something is missing.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tulsa, Ok
Posts: 4,582
I buy Kona white by the bolt because I use a lot of white sashing and want it all to match and as you noted there can be lots of variation. That being said, however I do mix whites, ivories, creams and neutrals in piecing and like the results.
#15
It depends on the quilt's design and the look you're after. I have white solids ranging from bright snow white to antique white to very off-white, as well as white on white prints that offer a little pattern and texture when you want a little bit more interest without being distracting. It's good to have this type of variety in your stash so you can experiment and learn what appeals to you and what doesn't.
Try not to overthink this; embrace the choices we're offered from the fabric manufacturers and play away!
Try not to overthink this; embrace the choices we're offered from the fabric manufacturers and play away!
#17
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,269
My questions are when using white, is it best to use a flat white or a lightly patterned white, and do the whites have to match? Like if a colored fab has a lot of white in it, I suppose you would try to match the white as close as possible, unless you are looking for a slight contrast, but to get that floaty look, they would have to match.
What whites do you have in your stash? Can you post pics? Do you ever do white on white?
What whites do you have in your stash? Can you post pics? Do you ever do white on white?
I recently used a bright, pure tone on tone white for sashing with fabrics that had very soft off whites in them, which I thought was a no-no, and I was quite worried about it initially, but it was the only thing that set off the soft whites enough, and no quilt police came for me.
I've chosen both solid and tonal whites for sashing depending on the quilt. Solids work well with modern fabrics and patterns. I think whites also mix beautifully with each other, though I haven't yet made a quilt using more than one white fabric (if that's what you meant by white on white). Normally I choose my whites in person, or audition on-line fabrics (which can be costly), but once I ordered the whole amount of sashing fabric on line, and it was perfect. That was from The Fat Quarter Shop, and they have good color representation, in my experience.
#18
I have one quilt that I made with different white-on-white fabrics. I taught a dresden plate class at the LQS so I had several different blocks that I made while the students were making theirs. I would buy another white-on-white each time so none of them match. But they turned out to be a nice quilt when I decided to put all those blocks together. Would you like to see it?
Dina
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 209
I rarely use white in a quilt, but the dresden plate above is wonderful. However, I did make my nephew a a big pinwheel quilt and used tone-on-tone stark whites with different prints for half of the pinwheel. Not my cup of tea but he loved it. Now if I'm doing a pattern that calls for white, I usually use a soft white (or off white) and buy enough for the pattern
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 290
I like to use white on white for "newer" quilt patterns but will use solid white in more traditional patterns and applique. When shopping I think along the lines of light bulb purchases - cool white or warm white. I can not really pin point a way to describe it except how it feels to me.
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