Have you ever disliked a pattern because of the fabrics in the sample?
 

Have you ever ignored or disliked a pattern because of the colors in the sample in the magazine or online?

I have been looking at a bunch of digital patterns today and suddenly realized I was ignoring the patterns where the fabrics used did not catch my eye. These are perfectly good patterns but the color choice did not inspire me. Some magazines show the quilts in more than one color way and I find that I enjoy seeing the different looks.

Absolutely! It's a challenge to see beyond what's presented.

Definitely Yes! I almost always change patterns but some how if it's not in my colorways or style, it's sometimes hard to see the merit in some patterns.

Yes I have. I have made them in different colors than the photo on the pattern and loved it. The picture shows one person taste. Maybe not mine but someone else's.

Absolutely--many in the magazines turn me off until I see the plain color schematic with it--then I may take notice. It seems when the magazine only uses one new fabric line, the quilt just seems so busy and not interesting to me.

Yes! All the time.

Definitely.

Watson

Oh yes, and I love the magazines that show more than one sample of the quilt. I'm not real good at imaging what a quilt will look like in another fabric.

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.

I think I am influenced by the fabric.

Only this morning on another site I was looking at a pattern in batik fabric which I disliked the colour mix. The pattern was just squares joined together and a border, nothing to dislike there.

i wondered if this was an issue for me as I am new to quilting. The other part, for me, is I am drawn to modern bold quilts with solid fabrics, but when I am in the stores I fall in love with fancy prints that I am unable to coordinate. Ah well, I have a lovely stash for someday.

I can usually see the shapes and ignore whatever the designer used. What will deter me from even looking is drooling over "cute" and the same for the fabric line. I rarely look at quilts online. I will check out patterns for blocks and the patterns in an LQS. I dislike some precuts. If a quilt is designed for a jelly roll, forget it. I won't buy one so put the actual yardage on the pattern. (There just aren't enough of the colors that I do want) I also have EQ7 and can futz it I so desire.

If it's in large frilly or floral prints, I don't like those, but I can still see the shapes. I will buy a pattern for a certain construction detail, but then apply that detail to something else. I also prefer earth tone colors and can see the pattern in the colors I like. This is also why I won't buy a kit. I like the pattern, but not the fabric.

I mix and match everything and have no brand loyalty. I go by color.

I learned to do this with garment sewing. I bought some pattern drafting software to help. I don't have to bother with the latest and greatest, I get what I want. That's the whole reason for sewing. Do it yourself.

Smart idea! It could help me get past the "oh, that's hideous!" reaction to "bet that would look good in my colors".

I agree with Bree123. When I print a pattern with my computer I always do it in black and white-just for that reason. If I like a magazine pattern I print it with my copy feature on the printer-in black and white. After I choose colors I make a test block and print it with the copier in black and white. Then I can see if I get the shading balanced-like the original pattern. This helps me a lot with color choices-this is the hardest part of the process for me.

Definitely! I pick my own colors and fabrics and seldom buy a kit.

My day job as a realtor and showing properties has taught me to look at patterns as a blank canvas. I may not like the color palette/décor but what about the layout and would it work. Some clients are easier than others. ALso like a recipe/base, how can I tweak it and add my own touch/spices to bump it up.

yes, i agree,,,it seems the mags are just advertising a line of fabric. Sometimes it's so busy you cannot even find the pattern! I really can't remember doing a pattern in the same fabrics as the pattern I may be using.....

Absolutely. But I try to look at the BONES of a pattern and not the fabric used. I think there is always pressure with major fabric manufacturers to use their fabric which might not be appropriated for that quilt pattern. Just my guess.

Yes this happens to me also.

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

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.

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.

Color is what first draws me to a sample; but, if I am looking for a pattern I am usually able to go beyond my first impressions.

Most definitely. I have also loved patterns because of the fabric used in the photos and been disappointed by my fabric choices.

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.

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"!!

I just tried this with my phone, Bree. What a great idea-thanks for the tip!!!

All the time. Sometimes it is hard to see the design through the fabrics. Use colored glasses to take the color out and just see the contrast.

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.

I used to do this all the time....when I wanted to use some Asian fabric I had a lot of, I tried to picture the pattern in my fabric instead of theirs....not easy for me sometimes tho'.

Oh yes! I have a hard time looking at the pattern if the fabric/colors do not draw my eye. If I find a pattern that I like the colors and pattern I can then put it together with my own selection of colors!!

Definitely true for me. I hate patterns with dark green and brown combo. So depressing to me. Now I need to make a grandson quilt and he loves wildlife themes. Guess what colors he likes? Hmmm

I find that the newer magazines and quilt books seem to focus more on the fabric than the patterns; I understand that for a magazine to survive, they need to get support from the cloth manufacturers and I do enjoy seeing the new lines but many being shown are beyond my budget !

Yes! I love it when they show the quilt in different color waves.

Yes, have rejected patterns and then seen it on QB done in different colors/fabric and wondered why I didn't like it to begin with.

I totally struggle with this! I have taking quilting 1 several times because I did not like quilting 2's pattern/fabrics.