tweezy50

Thanks for all your help. I knew I could count on you!

MadQuilter

Maybe you have just been drawn to the neutrals. Now that you see the other options, your creativity is blossoming. Just wait and see what you will come up with. Give yourself a chance.

pollyjvan9

Use a color opposite on the color wheel to add that "pop" factor.

AliKat

I made myself use colors I really don't like: lime green, orange, and other such colors. I had to force myself to buy them. Guess what? After that I had no problem using different colors because that quilt was awesome. It was a child's quilt because it was easier to start with.

I also used my EQ when I taught a beginning quilting class so students could have a line drawing of their quilts and then color them in. Each one used different colors and all turned out great.

Going to quilt show also helps. You can see how others use color and scale of print to make their quilts. and ... of course you might see some quilts that absolutely turn you off. Going over what you like and don't like about the quilts will help you a lot. Just, please, if you don't like a quilt keep your opinions to yourself so you don't hurt someone's feelings.

ali

Grandma58

I choose colors by how they make me feel. Do they move me in some way or not. The nots do not get used.

Scissor Queen

There are two bloggers that are doing a series on fabric selection right now.

http://greycatquilts.blogspot.com/
http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com...art-2a-fabric/

Aurora

Sometimes it is just "A Leap of Faith". I usually stay with colors I like, then choose several interesting fabrics and try them one at a time until I find the one that "jumps" while not offending the other fabrics but emphasizing the other fabrics. It is had to explain. But it gets easier with practice and if you shop in groups, ask others to assist. Of course, occasionally I just throw caution to the wind and pick. Start small -- a table runner/topper, build your confidence. You will probably surprise yourself.

My first experience was watching someone choosing two border colors and I was thinking "WHY?". But once they were added, it was like "WOW!"

moreland

I agree--I bookmarked it for future use. Thanks a bunch.

Monie

I did not know what those dots were either. Ohhhhhh I learn soooooo much from all of you . Thanks

QuiltswithConvicts

When I was first learning to quilt, my teacher kept telling us to remember that we weren't getting dressed. Your fabrics shouldn't be all matchy-matchy. I think the most important feature is CONTRAST. Dark brown with orange & lime green. One of the other thing that needs to change is value - lights & darks. Again, this is really like contrast. Black & white is so hot right now & you can't get any further away from one than the other. Now take that B&W & throw in a wild & crazy pop of color!

A lot of fabrics have circles of color on the selvedge - the color of inks or dyes usd in the printing. These can help you with color selection. When picking out prints, keep in mind that you don't want all focus fabrics or your quilt will be shouting, "Look at ME!", "No, look at ME." and the eye will go crazy jumping around all over the place. The design also gets lost when all the same type(size) and value of print is used.

Look at quilts you really like & break them down into their different fabrics - color & type. See what works & what doesn't work. Learn from the quilt world celebs! With their works, they don't show the ones that didn't work, but we know they all had them!

Good luck and have fun!