Ombre fabrics - how do you use them?
 

Fabrics like this confuse me. I'm not sure what to do with them.

This is a picture of the full width of the fabric, from selvedge to selvedge.

Having very little imagination, the first thing that comes to mind is "trip around the world" because I can spy six or seven distinct color areas.

But that's not really a very creative idea, so...

... do you have any suggestions on how to use fabrics like this?

double post!

Check out Nancy Zieman's website. She did a whole series of ombre quilts.

i've used it for log cabins as the colors are already coordinated

I love these as they give me so many choices of colors that blend. They look great as a background or as strips for different blocks.

They make great backgrounds for applique - the shading can make the applique look like it's floating on the quilt surface. Ted Storm made a quilt a few years ago using an ombre that went from black to grey. Her applique was done in pale shades and white - it was a stunning effect.

Janet

It would work well in optical illusion quilts.

check out Toad You Sew patterns. They use a lot of ombres. That is a beautiful fabric.

I have used ombre in making my avatar.
Also jely roll quilts and tube quilts.

I like them alot and the one you posted is particularly nice. I use them in all kinds of piecing. Its like getting fabric pre-coorindated, when cut up into small pieces they really are nice. I love them for borders! Is that manufacture showing other fabrics to coordinate? There is great value in purchasing an ombre.
A few years ago I bought a few yards of a goldish color ombre, today I wish I had more. It gave great depth to the piece, with out the harsh transition to its neighboring fabric. Surrounding a complicated block with an ombre can have very pleasing results.
Using and ombre for the outer area of say a mariners compass can be a bit tricky , and have a bit more waste , but the results are worth it.
I see many quilters shy away from them in the quilt shops. I think the manufactures need to do a better job of guiding the consumer on how to make use of them .