How important are solids to your quilt?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 990
I go through quite a bit of white for backgrounds, but not true solids for blocks. I've found myself gravitating to a more "contemporary" aesthetic over the years, though, which has me using lower and lower volume prints. Lately I seem to be addicted to ombres, which are kind of "solids with movement". I love how they give pieced blocks almost a three-dimensional quality.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,168
I forgot to mention in my previous post that I typically do not use solids as random "scrappy" fabric. Is hard to explain, but the solid pieces next to the busy prints make a empty spot. I certainly will use solids with scraps but they are two different categories for me.
I will use solids in my more planned projects. Am using one now for my Froggy Beach. I bought an entire bolt of "Olfa Green" solid at the thrift store for $15 -- so now I need to find ways to use it! So here I have an actual solid, a reads as solid and a busy print for what probably should have been a solid...
I will use solids in my more planned projects. Am using one now for my Froggy Beach. I bought an entire bolt of "Olfa Green" solid at the thrift store for $15 -- so now I need to find ways to use it! So here I have an actual solid, a reads as solid and a busy print for what probably should have been a solid...
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,046
That Roman Stripe Amish pattern is one that's been in my mind for many years, since visiting Amish communities in Illinois. The one solid I have is black and that's how I've been visualizing it. I've been carried away with art quilts, but am getting back to the pleasure of semi-traditional quilting now. Thanks for the reminder, Iceblossom!
I order from Quilting Twins a little too often, mostly batiks and blenders and maybe now I have to have that burlap pack. Oh, no!!!
I order from Quilting Twins a little too often, mostly batiks and blenders and maybe now I have to have that burlap pack. Oh, no!!!
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 1,703
solids work well as background fabric, to help break up any busy-ness inside the quilt. but I have also made quilts that use only solids, no prints. some may find that boring, but there is something clean and crisp about the look it provides.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,168
That Roman Stripe is indeed classic. It is basically what I call a "direct lift" from the project shown in the book World of Amish Quilts by Rachael Pellman. I think there is a pattern in the companion book but that I just randomly chose 1" wide finished for the strips. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd go a little thicker, But it has the same basic border construction, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Amish-Q.../dp/1561482374
I do find the use of solids to be very bold and graphic and modern, and maybe with my vision issues I should do more with it again. I like contrast... My cousin who will receive the quilt, she won't know that it is "Amish" she will just know it is purple and graphic and she will like it on that basis. I am planning on a pretty traditional quilting pattern, have been trying to work my skills up. Have drafted up a triangular design that I will do on both sides of the triangle, and then a cable border. Machine quilted, of course, and I don't feel like my skills are quite ready. So still a few projects ahead of it. Good thing is I have plenty of other projects to improve with first.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Amish-Q.../dp/1561482374
I do find the use of solids to be very bold and graphic and modern, and maybe with my vision issues I should do more with it again. I like contrast... My cousin who will receive the quilt, she won't know that it is "Amish" she will just know it is purple and graphic and she will like it on that basis. I am planning on a pretty traditional quilting pattern, have been trying to work my skills up. Have drafted up a triangular design that I will do on both sides of the triangle, and then a cable border. Machine quilted, of course, and I don't feel like my skills are quite ready. So still a few projects ahead of it. Good thing is I have plenty of other projects to improve with first.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 706
I probably have more quilts with no solids than I do quilts with at least one solid. If I use solids, it is likely to be a quilt with Thirties reproduction fabric. I have no problem mixing solids with prints in a scrappy quilt.