Originally Posted by
BellaBoo
I learned from many books, magazines, classes, and talking to award winning quilters that it isn't the fabric design that comes first, it's the contrast of fabrics that comes first then the color way then the fabric design. Get one of the red and green plastic fabric viewing screens and you can instantly see the contrast in the fabric. I was surprised at what I thought was light fabric against med fabric were both the same contrast!
I've never seen this tool but it sounds like a winner. Color value isn't always easy to see but makes all the difference in the final design. Your fabrics might be too similar in value so nothing really gives it the pop that makes you love it. You might also consult a color wheel for sashing suggestions. Sometimes a color that isn't even in the fabric but compliments it on the color wheel works. You've done too much work to quit now. Call it a learning quilt and do something you've never done before.