solid color
 

Has anyone worked with solid colors in their quilts?? I have never worked with a solid color in any of my quilts, and I don't know why. I just can't seem to get into solid color fabric for them, I always lean toward prints. I am about to start a quilt for my DGS and the pattern I chose is the cinder block in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Quiltmaker) in just two colors and they are solid white and gray. Well, my DGS wants blue and green. Does anyone have any suggestions on what color blue and green would work?

I'm no help at all. I rarely use solids. I like tone on tone fabrics rather than solids. They seem to blend better and, to me, are more interesting than plain solid fabrics.

Thanks Patrice!! That must be why I haven't used solids myself. They are much more interesting than solids!

I've used solid white sashing in some of my more modern quilts, and I've used solid black in one quilt, but in general, I don't think solids mix that well with traditional prints in a quilt (based on the very first top I ever made, in which I mixed a solid with prints and the solid stood out like a sore thumb). I've seen some stunning modern quilts done in all solids, though. Did your DGS specify that he wanted solids?

I'd probably use a batik blue and batik green. They come in fabulous deep and bright colors, plus there is just enough texture in the fabrics to make them interesting. Hancock's of Paducah online has a good selection. Hoffman Bali Watercolor Solids are a line of batiks that are not solid. Here are a couple of possibilities for blue and green:
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/SHOP...r-Solid-Brooke
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Hoff...or-SNAKE-GREEN

For a two-color quilt, it's best to go to a quilt shop so you can see the actual fabrics side-by-side.

Edit: Or order swatches. Some online shops have a way for you to do that.

My mil has a beautiful quilt made with navy blue and lime green solids. Sounds weird, but it sure works in hers.

Here I am... see me waving? I love working with solids. They give a totally different look to a pattern than tonals or prints. Not to mention that they are cheaper. Just be sure they are good quality 100% cotton. Missouri Star Quilt Company has an awesome amount of color choices. Do you have a picture of the quilt you wish to make? If you will pm me I will help you all I can. Almost any blue and green will work together as long as you have one light and one dark color value together. Jan

Okay I have to kind of laugh because when I first read the post, my mind went straight to the colors of the Seattle Seahawks. BJ's MIL may be a fan.

We have a LQS called Rosie's in San Diego and they have over 10,000 bolts of fabric -- too bad you can't go and audition so many combinations.

I would ask you DH to help you find the colors he has in mind.

How old is your DGS? Maybe he'd like to pick the color shades? He could use crayons or send a picture of paint chips or something in the shades he has in mind. Or go to the fabric store with you?

Yes! I've recently made a couple of quilts that were made up of solids. I loved pairing up the colors to get the most contrast. They came out beautiful!! I'm working on another quilt now that has a lot of solids, mixed with a few prints here and there. The solids really make the design POP. Go for it...you'll like the result.

~ C

If the gray is highly saturated, pick a pale or a dull blue & green. If the grey is lighter, pick more saturated blues & greens. My favorite artist that uses all solids is Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry. http://bryerpatch.com/gallery/gallery.htm

I use solids in almost all of my quilts! They can be dramatic or peaceful, depending upon the colors selected and the design. I do mostly "modern" type designs, and most modern quilts use solids more than prints. If you are a traditional quilter, this may be why you have rarely used them. Just try mixing in some coordinating solids with your prints to get started. Using only solids in a quilt can really showcase many designs more than print fabrics that can distract from the design. Go for it!

No, actually he didn't. So I guess I could use print in the colors he wants. Just not sure what colors of blue and green will look good together.

That is a very good idea, I really like the batik fabrics. Solids without really looking like solids. Thanks for the suggestions!

I love the solids, they can add punch to a quilt. The more modern quilts use all solids.

[QUOTE=quiltingcandy;7451710]Okay I have to kind of laugh because when I first read the post, my mind went straight to the colors of the Seattle Seahawks. BJ's MIL may be a fan.

We have a LQS called Rosie's in San Diego and they have over 10,000 bolts of fabric -- too bad you can't go and audition so many combinations.



I would ask you DH to help you find the colors

Yeah, San Diego is a little far.....LOL but thanks for the suggestion!

He is 19 and likes the pattern I picked out. Maybe I could pin him down and take him to the quilt shop with me. It would be helpful for sure!

I think I will! That is very encouraging! Thanks!

I have made several and I love the way they turned out. I used a wild fabric for the backs.

I suggest you look at Pinterest for some color inspiration. I happened across several that I saved today just for the color combos which I am not good at. The ones I saw were mainly chevron quilts but the colors should work for any pattern using two colors.

I use a lot of solids in my quilts. If they go with the floral, print or whatever I am using. They go really well in scrappy quilts.

I like to use solids. They make a very fresh look. I would take your grandson with you and let him select the right colors. Then he will be happy and you will be too. I made quilts for four friends, and I had each select their fabric and the pattern. That way I knew each would like their quilt, and they did. It also involved them more and we all had fun in the fabric store.

Dina

Solid colors can make very striking quilts; look at many Amish quilts. I think I would have to simply audition fabrics side by side to see what pleases my eye.

I say go with tonal batiks. I love batiks and use mostly those in almost all my quilts. you can get some really really cool sub patterns out of using batiks.

Solids used in children's quilts are wonderful. I use bright primary and secondary colors as sashing and cornerstones between 'busy' blocks.

I love, love, love solid colors. I'm also a scrappy quilter so I always use a lot of solids in each quilt (I have a large solid fabric stash).....usually with a solid background. I'm very partial to white as a background as I use really bright colors and they do pop off the white. I don't think fabric for a 2 color solid quilt should be any harder to pick than say for a 2 color floral.

I've worked with solids. The problem I had was that I did not buy enough of the solid fabric I was using. So, when I bought some more, it was not the same color lot. I did not notice until I finished it and hung it up on the wall. Actually, I liked the effect of the color being off very slightly. Give more depth to it. So if you need more fabric, check the color lot.

white, grey, black, yellow

I was at an amazing retreat this weekend! This was one made and designed by a new friend.

Except when making Amish quilts, or making quilts using plain black as the background fabric, I tend to use prints that read solid as I think they make for a more interesting quit.

I agree with Prism99. Use batiks. I am collecting blues and greens for this quilt:
http://www.shopmartingale.com/beach-...-epattern.html

I'm not a solid person either but lately I've been using up what solids I have for my borders. There's so much going on on the body of the quilt, a solid seems to tone it down. I normally will find a blender fabric that mainly works like a solid such as Maywood's ShadowBox collection, Connecting Threads Mirage and Faux Burlap and Moda mow has come out with one called Grunge. These give a quiet texture without being too plain.

Kelly green and Royal blue

I think blue and green would look great together.

I just finished a tumbler in Amish solids. They were a nice change from prints.

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If you want a distinct color, then solids are one way to achieve that. Sports Team colors, True Christmas RED, True Navy for a Military quilt. I like the restful feeling of swaths of solid colors, it gives the eyes a place to rest. If you are making a quilt to represent Storybook Characters, for a child, it is best to get the colors JUST RIGHT. For example the blue dress of the princess ELSA, in FROZEN. Or Barbie Pink. Children often do not tolerate mistakes in such exacting cases... Take swatches of the desired tint to the store with you. Do not rely on the computer screen -- I've been fooled many times. A true blue that I think you are getting--- turns out to be aqua--and totally useless for my purpose.

You could use one solid color and the 2nd color a print. Which always works.

In the process of finishing this up. Also making a wall hanging and a pillow cover in the same colors but not the same pattern.

http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2013/10...sky-quilt.html

Did a card trick quilt for a baby boy using bright primary colors.

My first thought was the Seahawks colors too. When I was a little girl my Grandmother made me a blue and green plaid dress of those lovely jewel colors. I loved it! I am collecting fat quarters to make a solid color 1000 pyramids quilt. I just have to get up the nerve to cut the fabric! Any time we step out of our usual it can be scary but we just have to take that first step. He'll love it because you made it for him!

I have used solid in puzzle quilts. Your GS is an adult and capable I'm sure of selecting his own colours. A trip for just you two. I took my nephew at 10 who not only designed but picked his own colour scheme. Loved the quilt.