I've always wanted to make a bargello wallhanging and chose a pattern Infinity from "Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts" by Eileen Wright. The pattern looks like a ribbon/loop. It calls for 20 fabrics in one color family with the lightest 10 colors for the inside of the loop and the darker 10 make up the outside of the ribbon/loop. The picture in the book was made up of reds agaisnt a black background. Because I am new to this, I decided to use a color I had the most of in my stash.....blue. My question is this......what color would you use for your background??? My dark end of the blues I chose would get lost agaisnt a black background but if I go with a light color background, the whole project changes. Does anyone have any suggestions before I hit the fabric shop this weekend??? The moment the question came to my mind, I knew this was the place to ask for help :) I always learn "sew" much from all the experienced quilters who gather here. Thank you :)

If you have 20 different fabrics in blue hiding away in your stash is it time to start buying a few other colors??? LOL

Have you considered purple?? I love purple with teals and turquoise and I see some of those in your selection.

I found an example of that design online here - http://www.quiltsforsale.ca/DB/searc...me.php?QID=538

How about using yellow for the background? Blue and yelloe quilts always look good.

I like the idea of adding purple..............

Thank you for posting the link Dunster:) I love yellows......my very 1st quilt I made (my avatar) is in blues/yellows. Would you use a bright, vibrant yellow or a paler hue??
I also considered a deep purple, as suggested above, but wondered if I wouldn't have the same problem as I would with black and losing the contrast.

If you can't find any yellow that works in your stash, I think I would take the fabrics (or a little piece of them, maybe glued in order to a piece of cardboard) to the fabric shop to see what sets them off best.

A medium yellow would be very nice~

take it with you and walk the aisles of the fabric store - something will jump out as just the right thing

how about maroon? it is dark but would not cause the dark blue to get lost. it is also close to purple.