How to choose fabric for a pattern...
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,533
I make charity quilts and have a lot of small scraps left over. I sort them in two bins, one for larger pieces, one for smaller ones. Then I just pull them out randomly and start sewing them together into a crazy quilt square. I do this until I have enough sewn together to trim up to a 7" square. I do this until I have enough for a quilt, then I lay them out and pick a color I like and use that for sashing between the blocks. The sashing helps the quilt to not look too busy.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,896
An easy way (for me) to collect fabrics for a quilt is to start with a focus fabric. One of those fabrics that I couldn't live without and had no idea how to use it. With yardage, I look to the dots in the selvage and start to pull from the stash. It is important to get lights, med. and darks. I always have a simple neutral in white, beige or grey. Don't lose contrast between the lights and the neutrals.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Posts: 581
Back in the days of quilt classes, I remember a teacher had use choose a focal fabric we like.....then we chose the addition color fabric using those little dots on the selvage. Background could be light or dark depending on other colors..
Hope this give you another idea. This even works if you decide not to use the original focal fabric, as you probably chose that fabric because your like the colors in it.
really kind of fun.
Judy in Phx, AZ
Hope this give you another idea. This even works if you decide not to use the original focal fabric, as you probably chose that fabric because your like the colors in it.
really kind of fun.
Judy in Phx, AZ
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,066
Oh, I wish I was closer to you guys. I love making more work for other people by kitting up fabrics. In my old guild when we had our big Ronald McDonald work weekends, that was often my station, putting together the fabric donations.
Right now I'm really trying to find ways to use large novelty prints because I happen to have a number of large novelty prints that need being used... I've found some good (and easy) setting techniques for collections of fabric that maybe don't connect well together but are a similar theme. Other times I look to see what I have in terms of strips or colors that need to be used. In my latest fabric reorganization round I find I have a full box that is getting too full of just solids. I'm hoping to use those this year in the Bonnie Hunter Mystery. All solids, but if there is a good choice for a consistent fabric, I'll probably pick a print for that and use it to pick the solids.
I used to agonize a lot over the best possible use for a piece of fabric. I've come to the conclusion that the best use is whatever use you can use it for!
Right now I'm really trying to find ways to use large novelty prints because I happen to have a number of large novelty prints that need being used... I've found some good (and easy) setting techniques for collections of fabric that maybe don't connect well together but are a similar theme. Other times I look to see what I have in terms of strips or colors that need to be used. In my latest fabric reorganization round I find I have a full box that is getting too full of just solids. I'm hoping to use those this year in the Bonnie Hunter Mystery. All solids, but if there is a good choice for a consistent fabric, I'll probably pick a print for that and use it to pick the solids.
I used to agonize a lot over the best possible use for a piece of fabric. I've come to the conclusion that the best use is whatever use you can use it for!
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,517
Thanks for the site Tallchick. That will be really helpful. Lately, I've been doing a lot of scrappies and just using bright scraps. In the past, I've used system of picking a focus fabric and then go-with fabrics. It works well and is relatively easy.
I have also used the constant fabric that is in every block. I find that unifies the finished quilt nicely. Especially if I have enough to used it for borders or binding.
I have also used the constant fabric that is in every block. I find that unifies the finished quilt nicely. Especially if I have enough to used it for borders or binding.