I am stuck on a colorway
 

This is a little bizarre but I thought maybe somebody on here could help.

I am designing a quilt tote bag for taking all your stuff to a retreat, including embroidery hoops, matts, etc. I want to sell the pattern. Not my usual gig and not even my original idea when I made the bag. I just wanted a bag to take to class. I made the first one and took it to class. Everybody seemed to want one including the instructor and two LQS have offered to sell the pattern if I get it done.

I have made two, well the second one will be done this weekend, and done my revisions. I am typing the directions out for the pattern. Here's the problem. The first two I made I used licensed fabric and it was end of bolt type thing. 5 bucks a yard. After I bought the fabric online, THEN I saw the disclaimer on the edge. Red and black. No big loss, the first one was a prototype and had some glitches. My GF will be thrilled with it, glitches and all. The second one can be mine.

So now I have to come up with a third for the cover of the pattern and for the pictures with the directions on the inside.

But I am stuck on the red and black colorway. I just need three coordinating fabrics but I want them to photograph well and to appeal to a broad group of people.

I know we have had the discussion on here that people want to see samples in a CURRENT fabric that they can buy.

I have thought of aqua and brown but that seems to be going out. Batiks are ALWAYS my first call but that's me. I also like brights,but, in truth, if this bag is used the main color should be dark. Navy and green is my second call but I am not seeing alot of it out there. Yellow, gray and black is okay but alot of people dont like yellow

So what color combos do YOU like that I haven't mentioned or should I just do it in red and black?

This is worse than designing the bag!!!

How about blue and white? Those two colors would show up well in your photos, and blue and white is always around.

I agree, blue and white are universal "loves" for most quilters/crafters.

Also red & white

If you're looking for a third color to go with red & black, I would choose silver-gray.

I like green & blue with a deep burgundy thrown in. Also green, burnt orange and blue........http://bunks.files.wordpress.com/200...fait.jpg?w=500

That's just me.

I love just about any color combo, but think that brights or dramatics seem to draw the eye. I know that a lot of people if it is not in their colorway can't see past that, but it seems that BW&R or brights get most people past that.

Blue and white could work and it is universal.

I love those batiks.

I am going to the "big" quilt store this week 6000 bolts so I should be able to come up with something.

Yes, you definitely want high contrast for your pattern cover. I love black, white, red; also navy, burgundy, white. Those are my 2 favorite color combos.

How about bright blue and yellow. (SDSU Jackrabbit colorway)

or the Dutch blue with white and yellow

or for the really young crowd - Teal, pink, black

or my the combindations you could do.

Pantone's color of the year is kelly green...

What about red, white and blue...patriotic isn't so bad and should photograph well???

Go for clearer color choices, whichever you choose. I have a hard time distinguishing the pattern on packages with examples for civil war type quilts. Love the fabric and the quilts but pattern details are hard to see. Make sure all the notions needed are clearly listed on the outside of the packaging. Hate having to drive 45 min back to town because something I needed wasn't clearly listed. Good Luck with your venture.

what I see around here is Autumn colors: maybe red, gold and brown or deep green.

Navy and white or black and cream.

If your local shop will be the first and only sales venue for a while, ask them what's the most popular in their store or what they have ordered for quick upcoming delivery.

If you are going national and do not yet have a middle man to merchandise for you, check out the well-known fabric manufacturers for their most recent or upcoming collections. You'll learn the "new" colors and designs that are coming out. And because it will be a while before your pattern gets into shops, you'll be most au courant that way.

Jan in VA

The bold modern fabric designs are a big right now. Check out Nancy's Notions Blog. She had about a dozen quilt designers make a her jumbo tote bag. The fabrics used were fantastic.

About half way on the page there is list of the designers and links to their version of the tote.
http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/blog-tour/hobo-tote/