Vicki1212

How do I gain confidence when choosing fabric colours? I see many, many beautiful quilts made from the most amazing colours used together in a cohesive fashion yet every time I buy fabric, I 'play it safe' resulting in fabric choices with no 'oomph!' When I find a main fabric I like, I am always drawn to colours in the same range and don't seem to have the imagination to 'see' anything else. My local fabric stores also seem to buy a single pattern in every colour available instead of collections. Any suggestions or recommended books that could help me would be most appreciated.

katier825

The color dots in the selvage are a good starting point. For me, the trick is finding fabrics that blend with each other, rather than perfectly match. Vary the scale (pattern size) as well. When in doubt, you can always add in some tone-on-tone fabrics in other colors of your main pattern. I use a lot of marbles and Kaufman Fusions in my quilts.

Looking at collections, you will see how they usually vary in color and scale. Some manufacturers use similar colors in their collections, so you can often find something by looking at the same mfg. in a different line.

wesing

There are books by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr that might help you. They are designers and they write so that regular folks can understand their subject matter. Here is a link to the "About Us" page of their website: https://www.modernquiltstudio.com/StoreAboutUs.php .

MissSongbird

If I'm unsure what color to pair with another, I usually consult the color wheel. Look for colors across the color wheel form your color (complementary colors) (such as blue - orange, purple - yellow, red - green). Or look at colors on the color wheel that surround your color (analogous colors). And sometimes if that doesn't work, I put my my fabric against a bunch of different fabric at the fabric store and hope I find something that looks good with it.

ghostrider

I have a friend who was very insecure about color choices when she first started quilting. I gave her a book that she said gave her a way to look at things in a different way and has made choosing colors much easier. Her quits are a testament to that. The book is Visual Coloring, A Foolproof Approach to Color-rich Quilts by Joen Wolfrom from C&T Publishing.

The basic idea is to take (or find) color photos of things you like, things that move you, and pull your quilt colors from the photo. You will quickly learn to see all the small variances in the colors that make them blend together and give you that emotional pull.

From what I've seen at international quilt shows, the fabrics and designs of South African quilts are very rich indeed so you're probably surrounded by inspiration just waiting for you to tap it. Be fearless and have fun!

bjchad

One way to give oomph to a set of fabrics is to pick one "zing" fabric. A zinger can be a fabric with a really different value than most of the others. Darker or lighter. Or it can be more saturated than the other fabrics. Or it can be a complementary color to the main fabric. You don't need to use a lot of a zinger, a little goes a long way but it does liven things up.

Cybrarian

Have you already tried adding a shade of white or black? Sometimes just adding one or the other allows another fabric to "brighten up". For example using white or black as the sashing between blocks or as one of the fabrics in a block design that uses a few different fabrics in its construction. Another option is instead of matching a color from your focus or main fabric try going one or two shades darker or lighter of that color. Hope this makes sense!

ManiacQuilter2

I have to tell you, that I struggle with my fabric placement all the time. I don't know why, but I found that if I make sure to use at least one light, one medium and 1 dark fabric, the quilt does not look like one hue. I also stick to simple patterns that with certain fabrics, a few come out stunning. This bargello was made entirely from scraps given to our church group of sewers. I keep adding and subtracting, moving the fabric until I think it looks great. That is why I have 5 design walls in my small apt.

quiltingbuddy

I like all the suggestions listed and have another book suggestion also: Jinny Beyer's Color Confidence for Quilters. In her book she also has little color swatches that help with subtle color differences that are very helpful so you can try different ones together or even take them shopping.

And I have to say I love the Bargello! Made from donated fabrics? Wow. Very impressive!!! I've never done one but want to. I wish I could have you sit next to me and guide me along. This one is just perfect!

tessagin

just look out your window.