toverly

I think of two sets of neutrals, the browns, beiges, taupes, creams and the black, greys, whites. But if you center it around a focus fabric that has both it can work out. Pat Wys has two neutrals books they may be in your public library.

judykay

. Four squares = 1 block 4 different white tonals and 4 different neutrals. 4 half square triangles (like a pinwheel) in the center. one on each side and end of block and one colored square to match color in pinwheel on each side and one white tonal in each corner. I would post a picture but don't know how.

Peckish

I agree.

Alex Anderson wrote a book about using neutrals, maybe you can find it in your library or at Amazon. She stresses the need for a little white to be included to make the quilt "sparkle", otherwise it just looks dull and muddy. After studying the pictures included in the book, I realized she was absolutely correct.


https://www.amazon.com/Neutral-Essen.../dp/1571204180

Pat M.

I have a friend that thinks Red is a neutral.HaHa

Feathers-N-Fur

I frequently read the advice on here to make a neutral quilt if you aren’t sure about colors. I disagree. I quilt because I love playing with color. If I was given a brown or white or cream quilt, it would just get put in a closet. Not everyone likes neutrals. Whereas, I would be thrilled with any “color” of quilt.

grandmasquilting

Can't wait to see the finished product. I have made several black and whites. Neutrals is on my bucket list.

cathyvv

Patrice, you mean red is not neutral. I'm like your friend - I try to get a bit of red in quilts I make. Sometimes it's just the thread off an almost empty bobbin that I finish off by using it to piece, but it's in there.

d.rickman

I had a sister whom was educated in her field of art, she suggested that if you look outside you will see lots of colors and it depends on the density of the color which you could consider a neutral color, and yes, even red. She also helped me when I was first quilting and putting colors together, to always use uneven numbers, such as 3, 5, 7, etc., in choosing my colors and to vary the depth of the shades I chose.

Quiltlove

This is a subject that is dear to my heart. I teach color theory and there is little information to be found for the concrete use of neutrals. Let me say this....A neutral is any color that is not on the color wheel. The color wheel only contains pure color and those pure colors that have black, gray or white added to them. Neutrals are bias with colors from around the color wheel. The key to using neutrals is the same for all colors. That is to make sure your selection has varied value and the largest proportion of color choice shares the warmth or coolness of the neutral.

oksewglad

What an interesting discussion, thanks for starting it.