|
Have never made a quilt and only recently joined the forum. As I've stated I'm not good with the computer and it took me 3 days to read all the help topics and rules.
I've studied "quilting" on the internet, read books and magazines, asked questions, and done practice blocks till I'm blue in the face. I only came to realize recently that I'm short in the creativity area and seem to be pretty bad at recognizing how colors and patterns go together. When I look at color charts I can see how one would compliment another but then find that that's not necessarily a good combination for a particular quilt. HELP!! |
Some people follow patterns, some will make a few alterations, some totally wing it.
Keep asking questions, reading, observing :D If we could all do this for every quilt we make, patterns would be totally unnecessary :D:D:D |
it just takes time-practice- suggestions- advice- and sometimes the help of a color wheel.
all that being said- look at nature- in nature colors you would (think) could never be together go together wonderfully- look at the sky- if you tried to paint it = it would look- fake- but if is not fake it is beautifully painted! i used to always have to ask the guys in the family to pull fabrics for me for a new quilt- they seemed so good at it= then dog-gone it they grew up and moved away- leaving me to have to figure it out all by myself- one thing that can help is to do what other (artists) do= disregard color- use a gray scale- and design your quilt using VALUES- without worry about color- as in...separate your fabrics according to light-medium-dark---sometimes i will lay out my fabrics with a couple inches of each showing and take a picture- then print it in grayscale- if a fabric does not (work) it becomes quite evident. and all colors/prints can go into a quilt together as long as the values are balanced. with time you will find it easier and easier to choose fabrics. |
Thanks. Going to the only fabric store in our little town today and will try to find something I like.
|
Follow what you like. I'm on my third civil war quilt now doing a block of the month. Each month I go to class and a teacher that I have the upmost respect for and love her work has picked out the fabric for the month. It's a good thing that she said early on that we make the block in the colors we want. Because I do. I have such a collection of reproduction fabrics (I do stay true to that part of the class) and I lay the colors out; sometimes take a digital picture of them together and pick out the ones I like together. Sometimes I use the ones chosen by my teacher other times I use only the ones I already have. Point is; be true to your self. Most people like certain colors together; like I like green and purples together; others may not. That is the great thing about quilting; you can let the creative side of you come thru; even if you didn't know you had one. It'll all work out. Good luck.
|
I think it will come with time.. the more you practice the better you will be just like with everything else in life.
|
What is gray scale?
|
don't overthink it. quilting is supposed to be fun. none of us is perfect to begin with. with each new quilt you will learn something. just start a simple one. and have fun. :)
|
When I get stuck or in grid lock on colors , I look at magazines ( most home dec) for color combinations I find interesting. I also look at what occurs naturally gardens, fall leaves,etc.
Many many times its a single fabric I fall in love with , and then coordinate with other fabrics, pulling the colors of the fabric into the project. Experiment with the bolts in the store .. stask them up and then stand back about 6 ft. the ones that don't belong will become apparent. A few things that help in picking the "stack" find a good mix of dark , light and medium coodinates. Having a quilt of all one canl read or appear to "lacking something". Over time the confidence will come... and yes there will be some projects that will fall in the "What was I thinking" category ... |
I really like the wedding ring quilt. Recently I saw an easy version; does this sound like a good one to begin with?
|
It takes practice. Just enjoy what you like.
|
Originally Posted by Jerse
I really like the wedding ring quilt. Recently I saw an easy version; does this sound like a good one to begin with?
|
Just jump in and create. As long as it's pleasing to you, it really doesn't matter about others, particulary when you are first learning. You should take classes if they're available from your LQS, also think about buying a kit. Thatway all the material has already been selected for you.
Lanny |
Begin with small projects. You will learn and retain more by working from start to finish on several than by laboring on a large piece.
|
I started with a quilt pattern from Better Homes and Garden. I followed the colors shown in the magazine. I made many mistakes but had a fun time and was proud of myself for actually finishing it. So, just jump in and have fun... as many on the QB say, there are no quilt police.
|
Yes, find a pattern in a magazine or quilt store, or even a small kit that has fabric with it. You'll soon be adapting and creating in you mind and you'll have something to be proud of. YOU GO GIRL! We're here for you!
|
Our Senior Center has a free quilt class. I started going 2 years ago, and am now addicted to quilting. They start you with an easy pattern and help you choose material. It is fun to watch other people learn too, and you make lots of friends.
Alicia |
Originally Posted by Jerse
I really like the wedding ring quilt. Recently I saw an easy version; does this sound like a good one to begin with?
You could start with a DP9 (disappearing 9 patch). Do a search on this board. Result looks like more effort than it really is! Here is one of many posts: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-137280-1.htm As far a color choices, I look for a print I love, then pick one or two fabrics that coordinate. Often, there are registration colors printed on the selvedge that can be used. |
The gals in your LQS will be happy to help you pick patterns and fabric. Pick their brains as much as you can. But do not be afraid to say "NO" to fabric colors that you do not like or find appealing. It is helpful to take classes if you can afford it or there may be a quilting group in your church or community that you can join that will give inspiration or help. Also my LQS has "free" open quilting sessions that you can get help with or it also has groups that you join for a small yearly fee that the gals are willing to help. . Good luck and SMILE- quilting is FUN!
|
You might be interested in a pre-cut simple kit that your local quilt shop might have. Look at the blocks on www.quilterscache and pick one that says beginner or easy. I started out choosing fabric by getting a larger floral and picking colours out of it to go with the floral fabric. You can also choose colours by looking at the selvage. On the selvage there are circles of all the colours used to make that fabric. The first quilt I did was for a child and it was loved despite my less the perfect performance.
|
I was exactly in your shoes 6 months ago - I just picked what ever materials catch my attention, and easy pattern and just ran with it. If I over think it, it becomes too complicated. I am now on quilt number 7! Let your heart sing!
|
I would start by finding a pattern with colors I liked, then imitating those colors and making that quilt. Once you get the hang of how the colors go together, it becomes much easier.
|
Do what you like. Remember, there is no quilt police! Look at quilt magazines and tear out pictures of the ones you love. Start out with a kit, or pre-cuts where the coordination is done for you. The more you see, and do, the more you will learn. Remember to enjoy it!
|
So glad to hear that you want to try this wonderful craft.
I'm enerting the way-back machine to when I first started. I knew a about color (art major), nothing about quilting. It might be helpful to you if you try to use a two color quilt to start with. Do a search for patterns and see what you can find. I think I made an Irish Chain. Another idea would be to use one of the great kits available to start with until you get comfortable with color. Taking a class can also help with color comfort. But remember, It is your quilt, others can only guide you. peace :D |
When you first start it is good to join a nice,friendly group with more experienced members who are willing to impart knowledge and share.You will have much more fun that way as well. Don't waste your time with unfriendly groups if you encounter them - move on until you feel comfortable and encouraged.
. |
Originally Posted by Jerse
Have never made a quilt and only recently joined the forum. As I've stated I'm not good with the computer and it took me 3 days to read all the help topics and rules.
I've studied "quilting" on the internet, read books and magazines, asked questions, and done practice blocks till I'm blue in the face. I only came to realize recently that I'm short in the creativity area and seem to be pretty bad at recognizing how colors and patterns go together. When I look at color charts I can see how one would compliment another but then find that that's not necessarily a good combination for a particular quilt. HELP!! |
You can't be told too many times to go with what you like. Look at magazines, look at quilts, notice what is in common with the ones you like. Do you like a lot of contrast in the colors in the quilts, a not of light colors and a lot of dark colors in the same quilts? Do you like quilts that are made of several shades of the same color? Do you like only pastels? Do you like mostly jewel tones? Everyone has favorites and these change from time to time. None of them is right or wrong, they just ARE. Don't start a log cabin pattern with strong contrasted fabrics if you really prefer shades of one color or pastels. Find out what you prefer first, then look for a simple pattern to make in the colors you like. When you find your pattern make something small like a table runner to see how you like using the pattern, then make the quilt. Invest $20 to test it, not $120.
|
Alot of companies sell fabric lines or fabrics that coordinate well together. I had to get over everything not "matching." I was very afraid to use anything but solids together and now I realize it is so much better to use tone on tone and very colorful fabrics. You can also ask for help at a good LQS. It is not an inate talent in all of us to be able to pick coordinating fabrics... practice and experience and it will all come together. BTW... have fun with it. Quilting is meant to be fun, not stressful. You can also start with 2 color quilts. That is also a good way to get going...
|
Originally Posted by Jerse
Have never made a quilt and only recently joined the forum. As I've stated I'm not good with the computer and it took me 3 days to read all the help topics and rules.
I've studied "quilting" on the internet, read books and magazines, asked questions, and done practice blocks till I'm blue in the face. I only came to realize recently that I'm short in the creativity area and seem to be pretty bad at recognizing how colors and patterns go together. When I look at color charts I can see how one would compliment another but then find that that's not necessarily a good combination for a particular quilt. HELP!! When choosing fabrics, I have found my digital camera is a great tool. I take photos of different fabric combinations, then review the photos to see how they look. This helps me a great deal. I have found that an actual camera works better than a phone camera. |
Since making 12 quilts, several door hangings and bow tuck bags - some from kits - I still have trouble w/color. I look at pics and say wow how did they do that w/all those different pats and colors that just combine together so beautifully. I still look to others for help w/colors. I guess it just takes time along w/trial and error. Thanks to all here for all this advise.
|
Originally Posted by Jerse
I really like the wedding ring quilt. Recently I saw an easy version; does this sound like a good one to begin with?
|
And yet another piece of advice - do try a D9P - the results are awesome and you only need 1 background color, 2 in either the same color family or contrasting and one that should pop off the quilt (the center 9 patch square). It an easy quilt to make, looks a lot harder than it is and will quickly teach you about strip piecing, bookmarking and matching seams and cutting accurately. Becasue it goes together fast, you also get some quick gratification.
As far as color goes, I pick one fabric I like and then pick a color from it to use as my 'inspiration'. I pick the remainder of the colors I need based off that inspiration color - ones that either go with it or contrast it. |
No. Wedding Ring is not a good one to start with in my opinion. Wait until you have some experience. Start easy and then get more variety in your techniques. Wedding Rings are a beast. Not there are many who love them and do well with the design. But it is not my recommendation to "begin with".
|
I totally wing it on color combinations. Never could get that color chart figured out.
|
As a relative newbie quilter myself, as well as one who struggles with color, I have a few suggestions.
1) Try a quilt kit where the fabric is preselected and you can see what the finished product will look like. Be sure to select a beginner's quilt (a wedding ring quilt is very challenging) to avoid frustration and build your confidence. 2) Try purchasing a Fat Quarter bundle of a family of fabrics to work with in a quilt. These are typically all from the same fabric line so they should all coordinate well with each other. 3) Jelly Rolls / Layer Cakes / Charm Packs of a fabric line all coordinate with the pack contents as they are all from the same fabric line. You can do wonders with these precut fabrics. (This board or http://tutorials.missouriquiltco.com both have some wonderful tutorials for easy but lovely quilts using precuts.) 4) Try using solids. For me, it is easier to identify pleasing combinations with solids than it is with some prints. Solids can make a stunning quilt. (http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri.../0/ORH13QQKoWs) is a great one that is easy, quick and lovely. 5) If you can't trust yourself in color choices, pick a couple fabrics you do like together and then have your LQS help you find coordinating fabrics. Be open you their suggestions, but remember you are the one making the quilt so don't hesitate to be sure you like the suggested fabrics. 6) When picking fabrics try placing the bolt / FQ on the table together and walking away for a few minutes. Then stand back a few feet from the fabric and look again for any fabric that stands out in a bad way or blends in too much. 7) The key word in my reply seems to be 'try'. Try different things. Try different combinations. Try different patterns. Try different techniques. You will learn with experience what you like and don't like. 8) Fearless quilting - there are no rules one must follow so do what makes you happy. Quilting is supposed to be an enjoyable experssion of ones self. If you like a particular combination go with it. May you be able to express your heart through your art! |
Originally Posted by Jerse
What is gray scale?
|
I have trouble with colors too and I've been making quilts for years. Sometimes I just pick up fat quarter bundles that are already color coordinated or fabrics from the same fabric "family". But often I'll get a print fabric that I like the colors in it, whether I like the print or not, and find colors that are in that fabric. If I don't like the print I'll put it back on the shelf and just use it as a color guide. The little color dots along the selvage may help some too with finding coordinating colors for you. Just remember to get some lighter and some darker fabrics. (See the post above I wrote about "gray scale".) To me, picking colors are the hardest part, but I find I am way pickier than I should be. There are plenty of prints and colors that look great together in a finished project that might not quite suit my fancy at the store.
|
Hey LDB, you SURE you're a newbie?:-)
As for grey scale, there is a tool called a 'RubyBehold' that does exactly what Martha describes (the 'clear red thing'). its a good tool for identifying light, medium and dark colors with good contrast. |
Take a look at your own wardrobe. Pick some blouses or a dress that you really like. Study the color combinations. Look at Light and Dark, how they interplay. Make a quilt block or pillow top that repeats your favorite dress colors. If you like neutrals and tend to dress in black and cream or khaki, well, that's good too!!! Or, since it is your bedroom, make a coverlet that matches/coordinates with your pajamas. Whatever you do, lay the fabrics out many times over before you cut or stitch. Play. Think of fabrics as your playtime. and enjoy every moment.
|
Originally Posted by LDB
As a relative newbie quilter myself, as well as one who struggles with color, I have a few suggestions.
1) Try a quilt kit where the fabric is preselected and you can see what the finished product will look like. Be sure to select a beginner's quilt (a wedding ring quilt is very challenging) to avoid frustration and build your confidence. 2) Try purchasing a Fat Quarter bundle of a family of fabrics to work with in a quilt. These are typically all from the same fabric line so they should all coordinate well with each other. 3) Jelly Rolls / Layer Cakes / Charm Packs of a fabric line all coordinate with the pack contents as they are all from the same fabric line. You can do wonders with these precut fabrics. (This board or http://tutorials.missouriquiltco.com both have some wonderful tutorials for easy but lovely quilts using precuts.) 4) Try using solids. For me, it is easier to identify pleasing combinations with solids than it is with some prints. Solids can make a stunning quilt. (http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri.../0/ORH13QQKoWs) is a great one that is easy, quick and lovely. 5) If you can't trust yourself in color choices, pick a couple fabrics you do like together and then have your LQS help you find coordinating fabrics. Be open you their suggestions, but remember you are the one making the quilt so don't hesitate to be sure you like the suggested fabrics. 6) When picking fabrics try placing the bolt / FQ on the table together and walking away for a few minutes. Then stand back a few feet from the fabric and look again for any fabric that stands out in a bad way or blends in too much. 7) The key word in my reply seems to be 'try'. Try different things. Try different combinations. Try different patterns. Try different techniques. You will learn with experience what you like and don't like. 8) Fearless quilting - there are no rules one must follow so do what makes you happy. Quilting is supposed to be an enjoyable experssion of ones self. If you like a particular combination go with it. May you be able to express your heart through your art! To the OP. I am new to quilting as well. I recently read on this board somewhere that the Disappearing 9 Patch (D9P) is a great beginner pattern. I also found a tutorial in the tutorial forum on this board that explains how to do quilt top using a jelly roll. It makes a very easy quilt top using a 40 strip jelly roll. I hope you have fun and don't sweat the color thing. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:15 PM. |