Have you ever disliked a pattern because of the fabrics in the sample?
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,854
Oh sure...especially older patterns, where they used the popular fabrics of the day, but those fabrics are now a little passe'. It makes it hard for me to visualize that pattern in some hip, modern day fabrics, even though the quilt might come out fabulous. You just have to take a chance, or use some cool software to help you to see the end result.
~ C
~ C
#22
although I am often influenced by how the sample is made up, they don't have to be the colors I would choose but if they are in a pleasing combination... my mind starts to imagine a handful favorite fabrics I've been holding onto in my stash... in hopes that something I already have would work.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Martensdale, Iowa
Posts: 319
Yes, but I have gotten so I can picture the pattern in different colors or just change something in it. I couldn't always do this. But the more i made quilts the easier it got. Also just knowing you are the only one that needs to be happy with the end results helps.
#26
There is a particular group of patterns that I have used several of that are just as you have described. I have been on their website and seen their patterns in the LQS. I would never have purchased their pattern from looking at their pictures. They use such subdued colors in their samples you can't even see the design. Also the way the quilt is draped in the picture takes away from the design. I had actually looked briefly at a pattern at the LQS and decided it was ugly and 2 days later purchased it after following some links on Pinterest from a gorgeous quilt. I have done this 3 times with patterns from this company. Several people have questioned that it is the pattern I actually used, including the ladies at the LQS. They have sold a lot more of the patten since they hung my quilt in the shop.
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Posts: 109
There is a quilt shop in the area that has the"ugly pattern" group. They take a pattern that does not look so great on the pattern and change the fabrics - wow some of the results have been stunning. When they have the completed tops and the original pattern exhibited together - it is hard to believe such a beautiful quilt was the result of a not so great illustration on the pattern. Guess you can't judge a quilt pattern by its "cover"!!
#28
Yes! I used to have the same difficulty when making clothes and home dec items, too. To help me get past the ugly colors/textures, I look at it through the "tonal" filter on my phone. When picking fabrics, I print out a copy of the pattern in grey scale so I can use beautiful fabrics that I love instead of getting trapped into a boring recreation of someone else's color choices.
#30
I do, all the time. I try and picture different colors but my mind is too set on what is before me. Some are shown in two color ways and that makes sense.
Last edited by fivepaws; 02-09-2016 at 06:27 AM. Reason: Not enough o's on too.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
QuiltnLady1
Main
43
10-16-2016 07:05 AM
Happy Treadler
Main
92
01-25-2012 08:53 PM
Fab-ra-holic
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
42
06-22-2011 09:23 AM