Does anyone else hate the task of picking out fabric.
12-03-2010, 03:19 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 486
Ten years or so before I actually made my first quilt, I wanted to make a king size log cabin for my bed. I knew the two colours I wanted, knew how the colour values had to be organised, and wanted cream for the centres. I gave up eventually because I just couldn't put seven fabrics together the way I wanted/needed to.
Now I play in EQ and audition fabrics from various websites so I enjoy the fabric selection part of the process. If only EQ could run an automatic cutting machine (the part I dislike) I'd be much more productive!
Now I play in EQ and audition fabrics from various websites so I enjoy the fabric selection part of the process. If only EQ could run an automatic cutting machine (the part I dislike) I'd be much more productive!
12-03-2010, 03:41 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 645
When I am fabric shopping for a project, I try to focus my search on that one "perfect" fabric. Sometimes that is soooo hard to do because there are so many beautiful fabrics to choose from.
But once I've found that one perfect fabric, then I look for co-ordinating fabrics for the rest of the project. For me, it makes the process much easier to do it in steps.
But once I've found that one perfect fabric, then I look for co-ordinating fabrics for the rest of the project. For me, it makes the process much easier to do it in steps.
12-03-2010, 04:14 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,929
Originally Posted by merrylouw
I had that problem too, at first. How about if you take that Storm at Sea pattern back to your LQS, pick out one fabric that you LOVE and then ask the experts in the shop to give you a few suggestions for coordinating fabrics. It's their job, they do it every day. The more you watch them do it, the more it will rub off on you.
Just remember to have fun. That's what it's all about.
Just remember to have fun. That's what it's all about.
12-03-2010, 04:41 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 24
To me it's the worst part. My hubby won't "let" me drive since my heart surgery. I'm terrible at picking out colors. I get all flustered in the fab shop. It takes forever and then when I THINK I find something I like my hubby comes in and says "U ready to go?" By then I've lost my swatches and grrrrrr! I put everything back and go home empty handed or I end up buying something for the final color I think might go with my stash, get it home and it's looks completely different in my lighting than it did in the store. grrrr! What's a person to do??? So I think I came up with a solution. I took a little sample of each from my stash and put each one in a little laminate pouch, (WalMart sells them, they're for making name cards) punch a hole in the corner of each, run a string through them, hang it around my neck so in the store I could just hold up this little thingy I made next to the bolt of fabric to see how the match is. I didn't loose my swatches and it took less time than ever. The clerk didn't mind that I took it up to the window to see through daylight rather than florescent lighting. It worked. I am now ready to start my next quilt.
12-03-2010, 04:50 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Clinton, OK
Posts: 1,736
This is a great idea... its what I do because I, too, have trouble choosing. There is usually someone who is particularly good at making those fabric choices, and at my LQS, everyone knows who she is! Using collections is the other great idea... the fabrics go together perfectly!
I had that problem too, at first. How about if you take that Storm at Sea pattern back to your LQS, pick out one fabric that you LOVE and then ask the experts in the shop to give you a few suggestions for coordinating fabrics. It's their job, they do it every day. The more you watch them do it, the more it will rub off on you.
Just remember to have fun. That's what it's all about.
:-D
Originally Posted by merrylouw
I had that problem too, at first. How about if you take that Storm at Sea pattern back to your LQS, pick out one fabric that you LOVE and then ask the experts in the shop to give you a few suggestions for coordinating fabrics. It's their job, they do it every day. The more you watch them do it, the more it will rub off on you.
Just remember to have fun. That's what it's all about.
12-03-2010, 05:03 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 1,866
I love picking fabric. My friends all tell me I am way to far out of the box for them. I go by what feeling a fabric gives me. I know that sounds nuts, but I sometimes think fabric really does talk to me. grin
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