How do you pick colors for a quilt?
07-24-2010, 05:27 PM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: La Verne, CA
Posts: 794
Originally Posted by Spydee
I agree with go with what you like, but if you feel color challenged there are two tricks that might help...
1. Buy the all the fabric for a quilt from one fabric line. After all the manufacturer do make an effort to coordinate the look, so take advantage of it. This where charm packs/layer cakes/fat quarter packs/ etc. come in handy.
2. Another trick is a trip to the paint store-- yep the paint store. Those free paint chip brochures have wonderful professionally coordinated color combinations. Pick up a few of those and march off to the fabric store and let those guide your fabric purchases.
I am sure others will chime in with some of the tricks they use to pick fabric.
1. Buy the all the fabric for a quilt from one fabric line. After all the manufacturer do make an effort to coordinate the look, so take advantage of it. This where charm packs/layer cakes/fat quarter packs/ etc. come in handy.
2. Another trick is a trip to the paint store-- yep the paint store. Those free paint chip brochures have wonderful professionally coordinated color combinations. Pick up a few of those and march off to the fabric store and let those guide your fabric purchases.
I am sure others will chime in with some of the tricks they use to pick fabric.
Thanks,
07-24-2010, 05:30 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 397
As an artist and a quilter, I recommend you get a color wheel. Color schemes using analogus colors or complimentary colors. Analogus colors are those on either side of a chosen color and complimentary colors are those opposite a particular color on the color wheel. You can also use a split compliment scheme which means you select the color directly across from your main color then choose the colors on either side of that. Another means of selecting colors is to pick a print that you like then select you other lights and darks from the other colors in the print.
07-24-2010, 06:45 PM
#43
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Chicago suburb
Posts: 144
I pick out all the bolts that feel like they go together best, then I step back and squint at it, so it's kind of fuzzy. If anything stands out crazy bad I take it out of the pile. This is a trick I read about long ago when I first started quilting - 1976! Lots of bright fabric back then!
07-25-2010, 04:11 AM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: East TN
Posts: 339
I have a friend who has a wonderful eye for color so when I want to start a project I invite her over and we go through my stash to see what I have then go to lunch and hit the fabric store for any fabrics still needed!!
07-25-2010, 04:41 AM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Posts: 1,653
I pick a quilt pattern first and go from there. Many patterns call for a focus fabric that has multiple colors in it and you then choose other prints that have those same colors in them and have those be different values, as well. Other times, I get an idea in my head of what I want in the end and choose colors that go together or contrast, depending on the design. Sometimes, I've not been able to find the exact color fabric I wanted, so ended up using lots of thread to achieve the look I wanted (when fmq). You can always go with analogous colors, complimentary =opposite each other on the color wheel, etc. like others have mentioned. I personally think you can't go wrong with using whatever colors you like together. I do think it's a good idea to cut out your fabric choices and place them on a pattern of your block to preview what they'll look like - before you go to all the work of sewing a block together. It's much easier to change out a small piece of fabric from a block when it's glued on verses all sewn together.
07-25-2010, 05:55 AM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 481
Originally Posted by koipuddle
Thank you for the responses. Actually, I've not made a quilt yet, just getting into the learning mode. Tomorrow I go into town to check on a quilting class. But am ready to get the material and start cutting. I need to get a belt for the ol treadle singer machine that my grandmother used, then will be ready to start putting the blocks together. I think. As for the pattern, thought I'd start with the D9P and have a border around every 9block.
Jack
Jack
07-25-2010, 09:39 AM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: currently central new jersey
Posts: 8,623
just poked in, so i don't know if anyone directly answered.
a backing for a generous queen quilt - 96 x 96 - needs at 3' of 108" or 9' of 40" seamed fabric. add in your amount for seam allowances on the front.
the more pieces you have in the design. the more you need for seam allowances. if you know anyone with a computer program, it can be broken down for you.
a backing for a generous queen quilt - 96 x 96 - needs at 3' of 108" or 9' of 40" seamed fabric. add in your amount for seam allowances on the front.
the more pieces you have in the design. the more you need for seam allowances. if you know anyone with a computer program, it can be broken down for you.
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