I get my choice of quilting magazines as a benefit of my job (independant magazine merchandiser) so I have unlimited resources for patterns. I love alot of the patterns I see but I don't have the time or money to go searching for the particular fabrics called for in the patterns. I know I can substitute, but I never know what to substitute with. I'd like to stay within my stash (I have tons of different fabrics)...so making the right choice seems so complicated for me. What do you do when you come across a pattern you like and want to do, but don't want to buy any fabric...how do you decide to substitute fabrics?

If I want to make the quilt in the same color way I shop my stash and LQS for similar fabrics. If I want to change colors I try to figure out which fabric I want to switch out for what and then do the same as above. Sometimes the second way can be a little tricky. Lucky you to have access to so many magazines. Hope this helps.

First I try to decide on a color scheme. How many colors do you need for the quilt pattern? Do I have the amount needed in the colors I want? Do I have enough of the same color values (light, medium, dark)? Of course, no matter how hard I try, I never seem to have just the "right" fabric so always end up buying fabric to go with what I already have.... :D

not really sure?? if I like the pattern i get it and if I want to use my stash I just pick out something that i like that has the yardage needed and go from there.

The hardest part I have when I don't follow the fabric pattern is keeping track of my fabric choices for the particual pieces...so I cut samples to match the pattern key...takes me alittle longer to actually start cutting out the pieces but it keeps me from getting totaly lost after I start cutting.Choosing the fabric is the fun part....keeping reminding yourself this is suppose to be fun...something I have to constantly do.
dee

I sent you a pm regarding magazines and patterns. :D

Reply sent :)

I always pick fabric by value (light, med, dark) first and then the color second. If you put a fabric value finder on the picture of the quilt you like, you can see how much of each value you will need.

What is a fabric value finder? Is it a color wheel?

I also cut tiny samples, and I place them right on the pattern I'm using. Worth the time spent!

I am a magazine merchadiser too ...........I have no access ;(>> how do you do that ? :(

You got a lot of good answers...one more suggestion, Once you decide on your colors, make one block as a preview. It will be your guide if you decide the colors are right...have fun!

Ditter

When I want to substitute fabric I get into my stash of scrapbooking paper. I thought I wanted to scrapbook, bought a ton of supplies and then decided scrapbooking wasn't going to be my thing. I use the paper to help determine value and color selection. I go thru my fabric stash to find which ones I have the correct yardage amounts - then I look for scrapbooking paper in similar colors. I cut the block pieces from the paper, put it all together, play around a lot and then make the decisions for the fabric. I still make a sample block from fabric just to be sure I like my choices. I didn't think to post this tip before now, I hope it helps all of you that are hording a stash of scrapbooking paper and don't know what to do with it. :D

I use what I have.

I don't think I have ever used a fabric shown in a pattern. I like to make my own choices and come up with my own combination's. I may use the same color scheme and keep the values the same, but my own mix of fabrics.

I choose by values first. If you have problems deciding values, red and green plastic viewers are available to make choosing easier. Another option is taking a photo of several of your choices together, and converting it to black and white.

i squint at their color choices. you'll get a good idea of how much is dark dark, how much is dark, how much med, how much light, and how much is iight light.
and so on, depending on how many shades they used.

after that you can substitute any colors you like together. works for me every time.

Between you, me, and the gatepost, my guess is fabric companies provide patterns for quilts and then the magazine uses that company's fabric for the instructions - or the magazine makes the pattern and has a deal with the fabric companies..
That said, I have never made a magazine quilt with the fabric called for in the pattern - most of the fabrics called for are $$$ stuff at the high priced LQS and I don't go there.... LOL
I either use out of my stash (as I've said before, I usually by three to four fabrics as a 'quilt' - with no pattern in mind) or I might, if the pattern really jumps out at me, buy fabric with the pattern in mind....
Short answer, no, I don't use the fabric called for - and I'll use graph paper and colored pencils to figure out my colors.

option #1.

i always thought so, too.

me too- I have never used the fabrics called for..

I buy fabric if I love it regardless ...if i don;t have a use now I will later ;). ...........i also get a ton donated.. ..people know how many quilts I do . and it just comes in. I use what i can and I donate the rest some to senior centres.. where the gals are sewing. I get new fabric at garage sales do you know how many fabric collectors are out there?// The tags are still on it !! I don't have much * stash as you can see from my pictures.. but I do use my fabric. ..not store it. I recently helped an elderly lady by taking a lot of her stash and most was years old i had to toss most. ( later after I thanked her for it and the rest went to thrift store. just had a odor of old fabric.:( but she was so grateful as she had an entire bedroom floor to ceiling to get rid of and she just couldn't toss it.. ( I could ) she would call me every couple of days and i would haul bags out for her. Some was reusable. most was not.

Oh you poor thing!... not want to buy fabric?! Did some one tell you that was normal?
I always go to my stash first! I think I've gotten better in the last 5 years at (1) buying fabrics that coordinate, and (2) using coordinating fabrics; since I finally got it together and picked up a bunch of paint chips from Home depot and made a color wheel. I DO tend to go buy ' just a little something to fill in' for every quit I make. It's what makes the world go 'round!

Oh I never said I don't WANT to buy fabric I buy lots. but I also get a lot donated...I sew for valor every friday at a quilt shop and buy every friday :*( . I just like to use it up rather than pet it ..or store it on a shelf for years. LOL>. your laughing but I have a friend who doesn't even sew and buys it.. !! She keeps saying she is going to part ith it to me but she just thinks maybe one day she will sew . LOL

I generally find the main fabric and determine the position in the pattern that this fabric will take. Then I shop for the other positions in the pattern (from my stash). I have read the recommendation to make a black/white copy of the pattern first to take the color distraction out of the picture.

Like others who wrote, I have not bought the same fabric to copy a pattern. I usually do my own thing.

Value finders: You can also take photocopies of the fabric pieces which shows value.

A red vinyl binder divider works well for some values. Can't remember which though.

take an index card number the fabrics in the pattern and corresponding numbers on the index card and glue stick or scotch tape a corner of each fabric to the corresponding number. I teach my students to do this, work great.

I usually choose my border or focus fabric first and pull colors from that; there is always an exception to the rule:)

Someone once told me that she buys the border fabric first and then everything is easier after that. It all comes together.
I don't know.

Yeah, me too. That's the whole point of having a fabric stash.

I also use the color value, from light to dark. then choose the number of fabrics i will need. Then assign each of them a # that is in the pattern. then i just label each piece as I cut, and baggie them writing on the outside, for example fabric one template A . I have never used the material shown in a pattern.

I find that I like a pattern but not the colors used, so I just pick my own fabric.

I very seldom buy material to start a project, I start with one piece from my stash and just add colors to it if the yardage is big enough, I am currently making shopping bags from scraps, all I need is the width size and sometimes add a strip here or there to make it large enough , BUT sometimes I agonize for a day to make sure I like the colors I put into it are right and sometimes it just works, Besides you can get carried a way at a quilt shop and spend money you can't afford on a beautiful piece, Sometimes it takes a year to gather pieces for a special quilt , I also ask quilting friends if they have scraps in a certain color if I am making a vest, right now I need colors that will go with a black vest, A friend told me on Sunday she was cleaning out her stash, so I will get help from her , The best part I have won several times first place at the local CO Fair, and recently peoples choice at our local quilt show, so use your imagination and just do it :thumbup:

I go by the values in the pattern first and then shop from my stash for the blocks. I usually need to buy border fabric if it isn't a pieced border. At $A20/25 average per metre I usually only have fat 1/4 or less in my stash. I shop for backing fabric as I need it unless I see it on sale.

OH my goodness. Thanks for suggesting a way to make use of some of the BIG supply of scrapbooking paper!

I go through what I have on hand and pick out what I like, then if there is another color I really want in it, I just go and buy it instead of using something I really don't like.

You are so lucky to have your choice of magazines!!!

This is a wonderful tip. It would be heartbreaking to finish all your blocks and then decide you didn't like it. ( Don't ask how I know)

As usual...start with the focus fab that YOU want and go from there. All previous suggestions were great!