Thread: Creativity
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Old 07-14-2011, 05:37 AM
  #40  
annthreecats
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: N. Florida
Posts: 4,568
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Originally Posted by LDB
As a relative newbie quilter myself, as well as one who struggles with color, I have a few suggestions.

1) Try a quilt kit where the fabric is preselected and you can see what the finished product will look like. Be sure to select a beginner's quilt (a wedding ring quilt is very challenging) to avoid frustration and build your confidence.

2) Try purchasing a Fat Quarter bundle of a family of fabrics to work with in a quilt. These are typically all from the same fabric line so they should all coordinate well with each other.



3) Jelly Rolls / Layer Cakes / Charm Packs of a fabric line all coordinate with the pack contents as they are all from the same fabric line. You can do wonders with these precut fabrics. (This board or http://tutorials.missouriquiltco.com both have some wonderful tutorials for easy but lovely quilts using precuts.)

4) Try using solids. For me, it is easier to identify pleasing combinations with solids than it is with some prints. Solids can make a stunning quilt. (http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri.../0/ORH13QQKoWs) is a great one that is easy, quick and lovely.

5) If you can't trust yourself in color choices, pick a couple fabrics you do like together and then have your LQS help you find coordinating fabrics. Be open you their suggestions, but remember you are the one making the quilt so don't hesitate to be sure you like the suggested fabrics.

6) When picking fabrics try placing the bolt / FQ on the table together and walking away for a few minutes. Then stand back a few feet from the fabric and look again for any fabric that stands out in a bad way or blends in too much.

7) The key word in my reply seems to be 'try'. Try different things. Try different combinations. Try different patterns. Try different techniques. You will learn with experience what you like and don't like.

8) Fearless quilting - there are no rules one must follow so do what makes you happy. Quilting is supposed to be an enjoyable experssion of ones self. If you like a particular combination go with it.

May you be able to express your heart through your art!
Thanks for posting the link to missouriquiltco. That looks like a great site. It's now in my favorites.


To the OP. I am new to quilting as well. I recently read on this board somewhere that the Disappearing 9 Patch (D9P) is a great beginner pattern. I also found a tutorial in the tutorial forum on this board that explains how to do quilt top using a jelly roll. It makes a very easy quilt top using a 40 strip jelly roll.

I hope you have fun and don't sweat the color thing.
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