Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Need fabric/color suggestions for my next project >

Need fabric/color suggestions for my next project

Need fabric/color suggestions for my next project

Old 07-25-2010, 02:33 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DoxieMom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 535
Default

For my next project (a twin or full quilt top), I think I'm going to try a block that is a square on point surrounded by 4 triangles (aka square within a square). I want to use Anita Soloman's technique for fast rotary cutting shown in this video: http://www.hgtv.com/video/super-fast...deo/index.html

I'm new at color/fabric selection and haven't the faintest idea how to choose fabrics for this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
DoxieMom is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 02:42 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
candi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE The Sunshine State
Posts: 3,910
Default

I am new to quilting, but picking out colors and fabric is my favorite part. I think of who the quilt is for? Where is it going to be used or displayed? Does the room have a color theme? Does the recipient have a favorite color? And then go from there. For the square within a square, I would probably choose a nice floral fabric or other focus fabric (butterflies, kid's print or whatever depending on the purpose of the quilt), then you can either choose two or four tone-on-tone fabrics with colors that go with the focus fabric colors for the setting triangles. If you want a scrappy look, you can go with any number of colors for the setting triangles and arrange the blocks randomly.
Also you can do a search on the board or the internet in general and take a look at how other quilters used this block.

Good luck and have fun.
candi is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 02:52 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
candi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE The Sunshine State
Posts: 3,910
Default

OK, I was just watching the tutorial you posted and I love it, I may try that myself, thanks for sharing If you want to make it easy for yourself, you can just coordinate five or six different fabrics from the same collection and just cut them into squares and then mix and match for the blocks, or if you have access, buy pre-cut squares bundles, normally they are from the same collection and match.
candi is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 03:40 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DoxieMom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 535
Default

Thank you very much for the suggestions. It would really help if I focused on who/what it's for!

Originally Posted by candi
I am new to quilting, but picking out colors and fabric is my favorite part. I think of who the quilt is for? Where is it going to be used or displayed? Does the room have a color theme? Does the recipient have a favorite color? And then go from there. For the square within a square, I would probably choose a nice floral fabric or other focus fabric (butterflies, kid's print or whatever depending on the purpose of the quilt), then you can either choose two or four tone-on-tone fabrics with colors that go with the focus fabric colors for the setting triangles. If you want a scrappy look, you can go with any number of colors for the setting triangles and arrange the blocks randomly.
Also you can do a search on the board or the internet in general and take a look at how other quilters used this block.

Good luck and have fun.
DoxieMom is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 03:46 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
CoriAmD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Lake Orion, Mich
Posts: 1,630
Default

I am doing that exact pattern right now. I am using assorted blues (light & medium) for the center square and alternating white and beige for the corner squares. One block has white, the next block has beige. I was commissioned to to this and these are the colors she requested. So far, it is turning out pretty good, but I had to buy different beige. The first I used just didn't give enough contrast to the white. So, "unsewing" 45 blocks.. Now I think I am on track. Will post photos when done, but it will be a while... I am taking my time on this one as I am being paid well to do it.
CoriAmD is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 03:47 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
NorBanaquilts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 2,835
Default

Thanks for the video, That would save a lot of time! As far as colors Candi gave you excellent advice, have fun and pick fabric you love and your quilt be fabulous!
NorBanaquilts is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 03:55 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
kristen0112's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 2,438
Default

I would suggest you do a google search for a color wheel. Print it out (I lamanented mine). When you select a color use your wheel the colors on either side of your color are complimentary. The colors diagonally across from your color on the wheel are contrast complimentary colors (like red and green contrast complimentary colors) I like to have contrast in my quilts I think those colors groupings make t pop.
Another tip I like is using the selevage strip to pick other colors for your quilt. If you find a fabric with a print with more than 2 colors along the selevage are color marks of all the colors in the fabrics. It helps me pick out other colors for the quilt.
kristen0112 is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 04:21 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DoxieMom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 535
Default

I was also beginning to think I should start studying a color wheel. Thanks also for the idea about the selvedge strip--I've admired them but didn't realize how useful the color samples could be!!!

Originally Posted by kristen0112
I would suggest you do a google search for a color wheel. Print it out (I lamanented mine). When you select a color use your wheel the colors on either side of your color are complimentary. The colors diagonally across from your color on the wheel are contrast complimentary colors (like red and green contrast complimentary colors) I like to have contrast in my quilts I think those colors groupings make t pop.
Another tip I like is using the selevage strip to pick other colors for your quilt. If you find a fabric with a print with more than 2 colors along the selevage are color marks of all the colors in the fabrics. It helps me pick out other colors for the quilt.
DoxieMom is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 04:44 PM
  #9  
Power Poster
 
amma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
Default

Maybe pick out a focal fabric for the center, then use the selvedge to pick out the corner pieces :D:D:D
amma is offline  
Old 07-25-2010, 05:39 PM
  #10  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 32,855
Default

I need to use my color wheel. It helps me pick out fabrics. Then all I need to worry about is the value.
littlehud is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jan in VA
Links and Resources
20
01-28-2017 08:05 AM
Suze9395
Pictures
28
06-16-2013 07:18 PM
Recurver
Pictures
80
06-11-2013 09:19 AM
ragqueen03
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
12
09-21-2011 02:17 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter