I've been working on a scrap quilt with dark prints and off-white (or cream-based) lights. I'm going to make another scrap quilt and would like to hear opinions on mixing whites and creams for the light portions of quilts. Is that a no-no? Or is it okay? In the quilt I made, some of the creams were prints with bits of color on them- little swirls of blue, or pink flowers- but I didn't mix them with white.

What do you prefer?

Personally, I would stick with one or the other for light portions, even though it is a scrap quilt. I might go with cream or off white in a scrap quilt. JMHO

I mix them in scrap quilts

I saw several pictures of the Ohmigosh quilt with mixed white and cream shirting fabric. To my eye, I saw the difference and it bothered me, possibly because it wasn't "mixed" well enough - I saw lighter areas and darker areas. I personally would stick with one or the other.

It's up to you.

I'm handquilting a quilt with a mix of reds, whites and creams. I think it works, someone else might not care for it.

It looks beautiful to me. I like the subtle changes of color.

Oh, that quilt is awesome. Looks nice to me!

Looks lovely, I like it very much. Thanks, wouldn't have thought they would look so nice together.

I was originally going to say that I always stick with either one or the other, but after seeing Hinterland's photo, I think I am having a change of heart. This blend of white and goldish-creams works very very well with that red.

Well if it is all whites and creams, it is elegant when arranged nicely. But, if you meant within the blocks it is mixed with other colors, I doubt it would be pleasing. Might even stand out like my wrinkles !!!!

Blessings,
Ruth

Oh Janet, that more than works!!!

I mix them in scrap quilts.

Hinterland,
Your quilt is beautiful! :)

Wow...that red, white and cream is gorgeous...Beautiful quilting...

Thanks, everyone! I didn't mean to hijack the thread, though. But yes, it can work very nicely, particularly if the quilt is scrappy to begin with.

I would absolutely mix them...

I mix them in scrap quilts all the time. And, depending on the project, I don't stick to tone-on-tone. I will mix in prints, as well, as long as they aren't too strong.

I have found that mixing white-white with creamy-white can give that extra zing to a quilt.

use as many whites/creams as you can. gives the quilt much more character.

I know it as "muckled up" backgrounds (old Mary Ellen Hopkins talk) and feel just about any quilt is more interesting with it.

In your case it reeeeeealy works!

Jan in VA

I love the mixed shades of light. It truly is a scrappy then. The border can provide a place for the eye to rest. or a sashing, or ??

I mix them all the time!!! I guess you're getting mixed reviews on this, but it's your quilt. Play with it and see what you thing.

Hinterland your quilt is Striking!!! Love the colors and quilting!

beautiful

I think it depends on the pattern as to whether they work together....I like off white better than white white so off white and creams can really work great....est if the cream has white in some of them...the tones will dictate if they work...just try them and see how they look in the new pattern...

HInterland, you proved what I meant to say when I saw this topic. Just be sure to intermingle everything and it will be amazing. Though, being scientist-trained, I've learned that Random does not mean that two of the same will never touch. and even that does work beautifully!

Yes it is beautiful. Nice combination. You have a great eye!

I have mixed creams and white tonals together in one quilt. I'm quite pleased with it. But like others have said, just do what your heart is telling you after you play around and put fabrics next to each other on a design wall or cutting table - or on the floor and stand back. Depends on the pattern and size of the piece, right?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-81391-1.htm

And Hinterland, I think your quilt is stunning!!!

I've seen some beautiful scrap quilts that mix everything. Just stick to value, If its light and contrasts well with whatever dark you use, it should work out fine. Don't let the quilt police into your head when your doing something out of the box.

Hinterland, beautiful quilt. It all goes together so well.

I love the white and creams together

When I make my scrap quilts I use all the shades of the
tone on tone. It helps me use up all the scrap pieces.
I usually don't buy the real white tone on tone so seldom use it.

I think it depends on the quilt if it's a log cabin type it can work great I still want to adution first.

I will mix creams and off whites, so no bright whites. I have coffee stained bright white to knock it down a bit

I think mixing is fine as long as it is handled delicately and is really suitable to the need of the quilt.
Diana

To me, a scrap quilt is just what it says, a scrap quilt. I never choose specific colors for a scrap quilt. What ever hit my eye when I am making a block is what I use. Your eye knows best what you like.

I just finished a wedding quilt for my GD. It was called White Chocolate and had whites, creams, light, medium and dark rich browns and it was just gorgeous!!

If it is a scrap quilt I would mix them.

I am mixing both in my WIP, but it is pretty tricky to get it right. I am always looking for pale neutrals to work into that project, but, as others more skilled than myself on this board have illustrated, it is absolutely possible if you know what you are doing.

I've seen it done beautifully, but I personally prefer white-whites. The brighter the white, the better---for me.

The whites and creams look great because they are balanced - beautiful quilt!!