vickig626

Don't feel bad. I've been sewing over 40 years and just learned this a couple years ago. But, it is very helpful.

CutNup

Thanks for all the encouragememt! I'll just keep trying.

patmas57

Ha ha! I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one who struggles with colors. Even using the color wheel, I managed to come up with something hideous once I laid all the pieces together. LOL!

QM

I love color and often get positive comments on the combos I use, however, I rather doubt that I am naturally better at it than you are. I use the colors I like to see,

I use Quilt Pro, although any quilt software would be good. Try 'plugging in' various colors until you see what you like. My DH is partly color blind, but this method works with him.

Select a main fabric you like at the LQS. Take other fabrics and put them underneath, so you see them along the edge. Keep changing until you have a combo that works for you. Then look for the pattern you want to use.

kathome

Here's what I do:

Choose a print fabric that you like. Chances are that you were attracted to it because you liked the colors in it. Those colors looked nice together because designers are paid big bucks 'cause they know all about color values and combos!!!

Now.............. buy the colors from the printed fabric!! You may even buy some of the print and incorporate IT!

QM

Go to websites, magazines and catalogs. See quilts YOU like. What do they have in common?

I don't use kits at all, but many people use them to get things they like without having to figure out what that would be. You can get very attractive quilts this way.

In general, a locally owned LQS will have staff who will be delighted to help you with this sort of decision. They will generally set up a "kit" for you, if you want.

What I actually do, however, is buy fabrics that I like. Often they are in the cool range of colors, although I will almost always buy a really good deep red, purple or a strong blue, as they are not that easy to find. When I pick up a theme fabric, I go to my stash to see what I like that goes with it.

There have only been 3 or 4 of my 430 finished quilts for which I bought all the fabric at one time. I don't mind having fabrics sit a while in my stash until I find the right place for them. For my garden maze quilt, I was given a yard of really great floral fairy fabric. The green I used was left over from a quilt several years ago. The magenta, I bought last summer, just because. I have no idea how long the off-white sat in my stash. Any good tone on tonemay have a host of good uses.

Until you are sure of your own taste, pick all the fabrics for a quilt at once. You do have taste, or you would not be able to select your own wardrobe. Quilting is much more forgiving than clothing. Do, however, start with relatively simple designs, so that you are not overwhelmed.