Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
How to choose fabric for a pattern... >

How to choose fabric for a pattern...

How to choose fabric for a pattern...

Old 08-23-2021, 01:13 PM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Central NM
Posts: 1,573
Default How to choose fabric for a pattern...

I have no idea how to do this. Don't want to use my bundles. Try to use up wayward fat quarters. Can some one come over a kit my fabric? Do I choose lights med and dark in one color way? Mix them all up? I just have too many choices on my cutting table and have no idea where to start. Thought if I had a Margareta it would clear the confusion.....NOPE!

Trying to make a pinwheel 36 x whatever.

Last edited by Julienm1; 08-23-2021 at 01:16 PM.
Julienm1 is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 02:07 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,559
Default

rainbow colored quilts are popular right now. Make individual pinwheels of one color and arrange them based on what flow of colors you like. Example: If you have tons of green fabric, make tons of green pinwheels and let the colors flow gradation-wise. That would be an easy way to use up your leftover choices. Have another Margarita and my description might make sense.
ibex94 is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 02:15 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
tallchick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,931
Default

Here is where I look for inspiration

https://colorpalettes.net/


I also pull fabric that has colors I like and use that to pull colors together. I have color wheels as well to help with my indecisiveness. Find pictures and use them as inspiration, get paint chips from paint stores, Lowes etc as they often have coordinated colors. I feel your pain, I struggle with color choices!

Last edited by tallchick; 08-23-2021 at 02:19 PM.
tallchick is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 04:14 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 148
Default

The paint chips idea is a very good idea. I have used that when stuck or to try to come up with a color scheme completely out of my comfort zone. Also using a favorite picture or painting and using colors from it. I also just pull fabrics and play with them. Sometimes I just search Pinterest for, say, “ blue and cream quilts’ to get an idea of what it looks like. A quilter who owned a fabric store once told me that gray goes with everything and that she often used it as a neutral to pull other colors together. Whatever you do, have fun with it! Best wishes on this endeavor. It truly can take time.
Grandma’sgirl is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 04:24 PM
  #5  
Power Poster
 
Jingle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,181
Default

If using scraps I just put together in colors for girls or colors for boys. I make donation quilts so I don't know what color anyone likes.
Jingle is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 04:37 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,578
Default

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
judy363905 is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 05:05 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 833
Default

Originally Posted by Julienm1 View Post
I have no idea how to do this. ....Can some one come over a kit my fabric?.
And when you are done at her house, I'll be waiting over here!
Rff1010 is offline  
Old 08-23-2021, 05:27 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,659
Default

Make sure you take into account the values (pale through deep shades of a color) of colors. You can use the pattern sample as a guide. Choose your colors but you can be guided by the value with what the sample does. Or you can always reverse the light and darks in the sample. We tend to pick out vivid deep or medium tones neglecting the lights. You usually need all three to make the quilt interesting.
mjpEncinitas is offline  
Old 08-24-2021, 01:10 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,635
Smile thanks for color palette link...good to know!

Originally Posted by tallchick View Post
Here is where I look for inspiration

https://colorpalettes.net/


I also pull fabric that has colors I like and use that to pull colors together. I have color wheels as well to help with my indecisiveness. Find pictures and use them as inspiration, get paint chips from paint stores, Lowes etc as they often have coordinated colors. I feel your pain, I struggle with color choices!
Thank you for the link for help on choosing colors!

I have used a fabric print I like to create a color palette. The work is already done for you. The designer has chosen the colors that work well together.



copycat is offline  
Old 08-24-2021, 02:56 AM
  #10  
Super Member
 
jmoore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Boothbay Maine
Posts: 9,518
Default

Yes, Tallchick … thank you for the color palette link. It is fun just to go through the different swatches.
jmoore is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter