Color?
#24
I made myself use colors I really don't like: lime green, orange, and other such colors. I had to force myself to buy them. Guess what? After that I had no problem using different colors because that quilt was awesome. It was a child's quilt because it was easier to start with.
I also used my EQ when I taught a beginning quilting class so students could have a line drawing of their quilts and then color them in. Each one used different colors and all turned out great.
Going to quilt show also helps. You can see how others use color and scale of print to make their quilts. and ... of course you might see some quilts that absolutely turn you off. Going over what you like and don't like about the quilts will help you a lot. Just, please, if you don't like a quilt keep your opinions to yourself so you don't hurt someone's feelings.
ali
I also used my EQ when I taught a beginning quilting class so students could have a line drawing of their quilts and then color them in. Each one used different colors and all turned out great.
Going to quilt show also helps. You can see how others use color and scale of print to make their quilts. and ... of course you might see some quilts that absolutely turn you off. Going over what you like and don't like about the quilts will help you a lot. Just, please, if you don't like a quilt keep your opinions to yourself so you don't hurt someone's feelings.
ali
#26
There are two bloggers that are doing a series on fabric selection right now.
http://greycatquilts.blogspot.com/
http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com...art-2a-fabric/
http://greycatquilts.blogspot.com/
http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com...art-2a-fabric/
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere in Time
Posts: 2,697
Sometimes it is just "A Leap of Faith". I usually stay with colors I like, then choose several interesting fabrics and try them one at a time until I find the one that "jumps" while not offending the other fabrics but emphasizing the other fabrics. It is had to explain. But it gets easier with practice and if you shop in groups, ask others to assist. Of course, occasionally I just throw caution to the wind and pick. Start small -- a table runner/topper, build your confidence. You will probably surprise yourself.
My first experience was watching someone choosing two border colors and I was thinking "WHY?". But once they were added, it was like "WOW!"
My first experience was watching someone choosing two border colors and I was thinking "WHY?". But once they were added, it was like "WOW!"
#28
Originally Posted by amma
Originally Posted by sewcrafty
#30
Originally Posted by tweezy50
I have been watching this board for a while now and have come to the conslusion that alot of what makes a quilt pretty, beautiful, or gorgeous are your color combinations. Seems like most of you can take the simplest pattern and make it stand out by your color combinations. Mine on the other hand are .........yawnable, if there is such a word. I've got the light, medium, and dark down, but how do you decide which colors will "pop"? Please let me in on the secret. Apparently color coordinating wasn't one of the genes I picked up.
A lot of fabrics have circles of color on the selvedge - the color of inks or dyes usd in the printing. These can help you with color selection. When picking out prints, keep in mind that you don't want all focus fabrics or your quilt will be shouting, "Look at ME!", "No, look at ME." and the eye will go crazy jumping around all over the place. The design also gets lost when all the same type(size) and value of print is used.
Look at quilts you really like & break them down into their different fabrics - color & type. See what works & what doesn't work. Learn from the quilt world celebs! With their works, they don't show the ones that didn't work, but we know they all had them!
Good luck and have fun!
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