I just don't seem to be able to put colors together:( I can pick a print, match solids to it and then can't decide what pattern to use. Am I destined to be a copycat? How do you guys do it?

I have the quilt wizard program it was about $30.00 it is a basic of the fancy ones out now and it is a good way to try different colors and combination's before sewing. Tells you the size to cut yardage to purchase and everything.

I'm not great at it either. As a quilter, you will find things you are really good at and the things you aren't so good at. For the things that just aren't "you", have friends help you. I have friends help me put colors together all the time. All quilters like to help other quilters.

Happy quilting!

I have a problem with colors too. How I make it work is to pick out a focus fabric I really like and then pull colors and prints from that. I was surprised to find out many other quilters in my quilting group do the same.

I have a problem when I go outside my "comfort zone." I've been known to buy enough fabric for three quilts trying to get it right.

You are not alone :D :D There are many of us!!!

Most LQS are helpful with putting colors,patterns together for you.Just ask. pab

i am not good with colour--lucky hubby is---but i have made an effort to learn about the colour wheel --library+internet--lots of info out there still not confident but i am begining to understand some of the rules!![so i can break them!!!]

what is wrong with being a copy cat

My family says my quilts all look the same and I know it is because I tend to like the earth tone colors. I like primitive country and that's what I make.

If you like it, isn't that what matters?

My friend who is an artist was talking about her style of painting not being everybody's cup of tea. Then she said, "I'm not going to change my style trying to please the public, then it wouldn't be 'me' any more. If somebody sees something I've done and wants to buy it, wonderful! But if it doesn't sell because nobody likes it, I still do."

I tend to pick a focal and pull colors or similar value from that print, add some contrast, clear as mud.

Fabric store employees love to help. My current ones don't have the same tastes I do, but at least they are there to bounce ideas off. When I worked in a fabric store, I'd have the customer (or me) pull possibles off the wall, stack them so the folded edge showed, then stand back and squint. It helped so many go out of their comfort zone. Many brought the quilts back in to show how much they liked what was for them, an unusual combination.

Thanks guys!

I suck at color. That is the hardest part of quilting. I ask lots of opinions.

I thought I was going to be destined to make boring quilts, they just lacked .... something. Then I started attending quilt shows . It was at International show in Chicago that I had a... revelation. I was in awe at the specatular quilts..... then it hit me what caught my eye initally was the Colors ... the colors were fabulous. So I made it a point to take some photos ( where allowed) and every time I went fabric shopping I would take them out and ask myself " do these fabrics look anything like whats in the photo". It was soo helpful to get me out of my safe little blah boring world. I do not need the photos anymore to remind me about color, its starting to be fun to "get out there" in the use of color. But there is still a bit of the fear that I might just make the ugliest quilt ever! It has not happened yet , but if it does I will consider it part of my road to color.

When I am out and about I try to notice color combinations that I see, somtimes in nature, but most often in what people are wearing or unusual combinations in fabric prints. I would never have thought to put pink and brown together in a baby quilt but it turned out to be one of my favorites so far. To help with contrast I ask my husband, he is color blind to most colors and can see the contrast better than I can even with the red or green filters.

I will do this too when my brain isn't cooperating for color selection. It just makes it easier. You can always use the little color dots along the salvedge which shows you the colors within the fabric.

I have my LQS help me too. I'm not very good at picking stuff out either.

would you believe I didn't know what those dots in the selvage were?

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

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

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!

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.

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!

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.