How important are solids to your quilt?
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,589
I struggle with solids. I have a lot of blenders, or tone on tones, but not true solids. I have a few blue, green, a coral that I am using instead of neutrals in those quilts. That's about as far as I go. I have seen some gorgeous quilts done all in solids, often the quilting really carries them - but I know that they would remain forever UFO's for me.
#23
I have an assortment of solids, but I tend to use only white and black. I've seen some very impressive quilts made with all solids, and I always think I'll try to make one someday, but that day hasn't come yet. In fact I have a Craftsy kit that is all solids. Hmmm...maybe time to make it?
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,503
I rarely use solids. I prefer blenders in my quilts. Of course I do keep a bolt of muslin in both white and beige just in case I need it for whatever. Mostly I use the muslins for backing on utility quilts, wallhangings and table runners. Tone on tones I keep on hand and blenders for my solids.
#25
I have been using a lot of solids. I have made two string quilts QAYG and I use solids in between the larger flowered strips. all flower strips would not look good all together.
I have always used solids as well as blenders. I like the looks so much better.
I have always used solids as well as blenders. I like the looks so much better.
#28
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 148
Solids have a solid history in quilt making!
I grew up with generations of quilts around me that were part of my grandmother’s quilt collection acquired from family members. There were many that utilized solids. A few were dramatic Amish type quilts with black backgrounds. But many were much softer, from hand dyed fabrics. There was a soft pink and cream. There was a brown from Walnut hulls made into a drunkards path. There are beautiful Irish chains using a solid white/ivory and either red or yellow for the chain. They are so cheery! There are diagonal four patch arrangements (Field and Furrow is another name) that have alternating plain with print fabrics. The plains are chosen to showcase the print and allow for gradual color variations across the quilt surface. Trip around the world uses them to break up the pattern and make a far more interesting quilt. My personal favorite is a hand stitched sky blue sawtooth star with a white background. The sashing of each star is blue with white cornerstones. It is both delicate and stunning! In short, Solids can be well used and always have been. They also are great for spaces to see the quilting pattern that is used.
‘Yes, I know textured backgrounds with slight variations that “Read” as solids are all the rage. And there are wonderful uses for those, as well. But solids can be used in such a wonderful variety of ways. They always have been.
To each their own, but I love both solids and grunge backgrounds. They can really make a design pop. Planning on doing a Hunter’s Start out of two shades of solids with a white. I saw one and it was exquisite!
Just my two cents!
I grew up with generations of quilts around me that were part of my grandmother’s quilt collection acquired from family members. There were many that utilized solids. A few were dramatic Amish type quilts with black backgrounds. But many were much softer, from hand dyed fabrics. There was a soft pink and cream. There was a brown from Walnut hulls made into a drunkards path. There are beautiful Irish chains using a solid white/ivory and either red or yellow for the chain. They are so cheery! There are diagonal four patch arrangements (Field and Furrow is another name) that have alternating plain with print fabrics. The plains are chosen to showcase the print and allow for gradual color variations across the quilt surface. Trip around the world uses them to break up the pattern and make a far more interesting quilt. My personal favorite is a hand stitched sky blue sawtooth star with a white background. The sashing of each star is blue with white cornerstones. It is both delicate and stunning! In short, Solids can be well used and always have been. They also are great for spaces to see the quilting pattern that is used.
‘Yes, I know textured backgrounds with slight variations that “Read” as solids are all the rage. And there are wonderful uses for those, as well. But solids can be used in such a wonderful variety of ways. They always have been.
To each their own, but I love both solids and grunge backgrounds. They can really make a design pop. Planning on doing a Hunter’s Start out of two shades of solids with a white. I saw one and it was exquisite!
Just my two cents!