Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Color.

Here's a little something that may help those struggling with color and fabric selections.  Choose a focus fabric...a fabric that you ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!  If that particular fabric is going to be included in your quilt, then use that sublime fabric as a jumping off point.  Allow it to help you match colors and make other fabric choices.  Fabric has colored dots along the selvedge edge. Those dots show you what specific colors were used to make that particular piece of fabric.  So...sew, use those colored dots to your advantage!  If you are not going to use that sublime fabric in your quilt, but you do SO love the colors, then let those dots help you choose fabrics and colors that will match and work together in your quilt.

During a class I took with Sally Collins, she said, "Color gets all the glory, but value does all the work." Remember to add a mix of lights, darks and mediums.  This can be done using the value of a color or scale of a print.  If you are unsure what value a color is, photocopy the fabric.  It will copy dark, white or grey...

I don't always make the best choice first time around either.  My 'mistakes' can be used on the back of the quilt or may become a signature patch.  See, I can still use that awesome fabric somewhere!  For me, color and fabric selection are two of the MOST fun aspects of quilting.  I encourage you to just let go! Delight in color and let it make your soul smile and your designs soar.  I BELIEVE in you and your choices!!!

Make your quilt yours!  I use fussy cuts, favorite fabrics and hidden bits in most of the quilts I make...these things make the quilt mine!
I LOVE how this entire fussy cut flower turned out.  What FUN!!!  See that lime green Funky Monkey fabric on the left?  I happen to enjoy the whimsy of sock monkeys and isn't that color FAB?!  It found a place in my pieced border.

That dark fabric, on your right?  I didn't have a piece large enough for this applique shape.  So, I sewed two pieces together.  I bet you would never have known?!  

Can you spot the little hearts, words and pops of black tucked in there?  Those little things help to make a quilt magical!
I encourage you to enjoy your quilt making journey.  Choose colors and fabrics that make YOU happy.  It is my hope that you will LOVE the project you are working on and the process too.  : )

Piecefully, Pam
  

6 comments:

  1. Pam! I am so glad I started following you - thanks for all that huge help! Makes me really think about how to pick fabrics and make it unique and my design, not having to copy someone else! Can't wait to get home and try it out!

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  2. I so agree with your applique philosophy!! fabrics are so luscious today to play with I too.. love that wonderful fussy cutting on the blue floral!! thanks pam for any details to make my applique look as wonderful as yours

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  3. The statement that a "picture is worth a thousand words" is so true. Your applique photos are extremely helpful, and I thank you for taking the time to post them. I'm still struggling, but I am satisfied (er, I think!) with what I've selected so far. Michele

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  4. well said! thanks for taking the time to write this.
    I have to agree make the quilt your own
    I changed the basket on my next block choice
    I just decided I am going with my instincts and doing what I want !
    I have to admit its getting easier to chose the fabrics and step out of the box...just keep remembering the big picture not the block!
    Kathie

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  5. Beautiful. What an inspiration.

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  6. I agree with you Pam. When I did my photography class, we were told to grade everything in the grey scale - 1 to 10. If you squint your eyes you can sort of see that grey scale. Have fun though! cheers, Kim McLean

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