Color Coordination
#1
Like many of you here I used to watch Alex Anderson on TV.. I was smart and recorded as many of her shows that I could.... Thankfully..
The best tip I ever got in my life came from her..It was a show on color coordination. She showed how much more vibriant quilts could be by using the light, med, and dark color theme.. Now I use it when I do any quilt top..
Do any others here use that color rule? Or do you do it differently?
The best tip I ever got in my life came from her..It was a show on color coordination. She showed how much more vibriant quilts could be by using the light, med, and dark color theme.. Now I use it when I do any quilt top..
Do any others here use that color rule? Or do you do it differently?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,097
It's all about contrast! Value (light to dark) is one kind of contrast.
I also like to have scale contrast - small scale prints, some medium, and some larger (and maybe a more neutral background). A quilt made with all small scale prints looks prim and dull. A quilt with all large scale is "mushy" - they all blend together. But if you have a good combination of different sized prints, the quilt tends to be more interesting and it "keeps the eye moving".
I also like to have scale contrast - small scale prints, some medium, and some larger (and maybe a more neutral background). A quilt made with all small scale prints looks prim and dull. A quilt with all large scale is "mushy" - they all blend together. But if you have a good combination of different sized prints, the quilt tends to be more interesting and it "keeps the eye moving".
#3
Thanks Cathe...That is the kind of answer I am looking for..I am self taught..Until recently I never bought a book.. I just watched Alex A. on TV is all.. I never even knew quilting forums existed until I joined here..
I know I need to broaden my horizon.. I need to look at quilting as an expanding art form and right now I am very limited in my knowledge..
I know I need to broaden my horizon.. I need to look at quilting as an expanding art form and right now I am very limited in my knowledge..
#4
You can also pick colors by using one multi-colored fabric that you LOVE, and picking your other colors from it. That's another Alex Anderson trick :wink:
One way to check the 'value' of your fabrics, if you're not sure about some of your choices, is to squint at them....or use a "ruby beholder", which is a red lens to look thru'. Personally, I squint - one less thing to carry around in my bag! LOL
:lol:
One way to check the 'value' of your fabrics, if you're not sure about some of your choices, is to squint at them....or use a "ruby beholder", which is a red lens to look thru'. Personally, I squint - one less thing to carry around in my bag! LOL
:lol:
#5
I also have found if you "audition" your fabrics that can help. For instance I recently bought a red hat fabric that had a cream back ground with red and purple gloves toss but when I layed it next to a few of the intended blocks. I said whoa that will NOT work. :oops: So it is back to the design board, I had earlier discovered the original purple water drops fabric wasn't going to work either. So I still haven't solved this deliemma and I was so hopeing to finish this before sis's birthday in Nov. :?
#6
Another trick to check values is to take a digital photo of your fabrics, download them into the computer and then change the photo to black and white. It's amazing what you discover.
I'll think I have darks, mediums and lights but will discover several lights or darks will read medium. What an eye opener!
I'll think I have darks, mediums and lights but will discover several lights or darks will read medium. What an eye opener!
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11-16-2010 04:51 PM