Selecting fabrics for a fresh project has evolved into a cherished aspect of my quilting journey. However, it wasn’t until some time had passed that I gained confidence and genuine pleasure in this endeavor.
Here, I aim to impart helpful tips on how to pick fabric for a quilt.
What Is Quilt?
A quilt comprises three layers: the top layer, made of fabric pieces sewn in decorative patterns; the insulating batting layer for warmth; and the backing layer, a single piece of fabric. Quilting involves stitching through these layers to secure them together and create decorative designs.
Quilts serve diverse purposes, from providing warmth to adding décor or being cherished heirlooms. They span traditional patchwork to modern art designs and can be crafted using various techniques and materials.
10 Tips For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Begin With A Fabric Collection Curated By A Designer
If you’re just starting out or lacking confidence, consider beginning with a curated fabric collection. These collections, assembled by manufacturers, are designed to save time and effort. They offer a range of colors and prints that are already coordinated, often with varying shapes and sizes such as dots, stripes, or florals.
Using a curated collection ensures a harmonious color palette with built-in contrast and scale, eliminating the need to worry about breaking any rules. However, if you’re ready to explore your own creativity or delve into your existing fabric stash, here are some helpful tips to consider.
Tips 2 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Consider Both Color And Scale When Selecting Fabrics
Consider what fabric collections can teach us: they offer well-coordinated colors and prints across a range of scales. When it comes to color, the possibilities are endless. Drawing inspiration from sources like photographs, nature, or online platforms such as Pinterest or Design Seeds can be enlightening. If the array of choices feels overwhelming, start with a single print for inspiration.
Identify a focus fabric and base your color scheme on its palette. We selected complementary fat quarters from a local quilt shop, ensuring variations in shades while maintaining a consistent tone, such as olive greens, light blues, and warm browns. It’s crucial to maintain a balance in color vibrancy, whether opting for clear, bright hues or subdued muted tones.
Tips 3 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Select Various Tones Within The Same Color Palette
Here are a couple of instances from a recent patchwork quilt I made. Take a look at the greens – they all belong to the same color family, yet they encompass a variety of shades. Primarily, they lean towards a lime green, as that was predominant in my stash, but I also incorporated some darker hues to enhance visual appeal.
In the case of blues, we opted for a diverse range, spanning from lighter turquoise tones to deep navy shades. This approach adds considerable visual interest to your quilt. Using fabric colors that are overly similar in shade can result in a flat appearance. Introducing a range of shades will infuse your quilt with greater depth and contrast.
Tips 4 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Add A “Zinger” Fabric
Something slightly unconventional or unexpected. This serves as a mild example, and it may be challenging to discern in the images, but if you observe the red print marked with the arrow, that serves as a zinger color in this quilt.
These patches significantly enhance the quilt’s appeal because the shade of red is subtly unconventional. The resulting variety of prints contributes to the overall appeal of the quilt.
The color palette of this quilt is relatively straightforward: blues and greens with hints of white and red. However, it’s the range of shades within these colors that adds depth and makes the quilt visually captivating.
Choosing colors involves much more depth. For more advanced guidance, such as color theory, consider exploring resources like Jeni Baker’s “Art of Choosing/Color Theory” series or Vanessa Christensen’s Color Theory books, which provide valuable insights and visual inspiration.
Tips 5 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Employ A Particular Color Scheme Or Theme
Opting for a designated color scheme or theme simplifies the fabric selection process for quilts. Examples include red and white designs, blue and cream combinations, or holiday-themed quilts. Another approach is to create quilts using a single color palette alongside a background color. For instance, incorporating various shades of blue throughout your quilt.
Tips 6 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Understand The Significance Of Borders And Bindings.
Selecting borders and bindings can enhance the overall appearance of your quilt. In my experience, some quilts felt incomplete until the borders and bindings were added, providing the final framing and touches. Frequently, the colors chosen for the border and binding fabrics can accentuate the fabrics of similar hues within the quilt, making them stand out more prominently.
Tips 7 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Achieve Contrast Through Color, Scale, And Design
Ensure that your fabric selection comprises pieces that not only complement each other but also offer sufficient contrast. Avoid using fabrics that are all of the same shade, as this can result in a visually dull quilt. Pay attention to contrast in scale and design, in addition to color. I enjoy incorporating a mix of elements such as large florals paired with smaller florals, stripes, dots, plaids, and geometric designs.
Tips 8 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Incorporating solid fabrics into your quilt selection can enhance its depth and visual appeal. Numerous designers provide recommendations for complementary solids that harmonize with their fabric collections. Alternatively, you can start by selecting a set of solid fabrics that you adore and then seek prints that complement these solids.
Tips 9 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Incorporate A Diverse Range Of Textures
Another aspect of introducing contrast is through texture. While this selection of fabrics shares similar colors and tones, what adds intrigue is the inclusion of various textures like woven and linen fabrics. Additionally, there are different print scales incorporated.
Utilizing contrast in design is entirely subjective. It doesn’t necessarily require bold, high-color contrasts; sometimes, subtle contrasts can be equally captivating. Experimenting with and being mindful of contrast in our quilts can enhance their visual appeal.
These are just a few considerations to ponder when selecting fabric, which you can adapt to your preferences. Ultimately, remember that you have the autonomy to decide. Choose colors and fabrics that resonate with you.
Tips 10 For How To Choose Fabric For A Quilt
Maintain An Inspiration File
There are numerous methods to record quilts that inspire you: Establish a Pinterest board specifically for fabric-inspired quilt ideas; browse through quilt books and magazines, taking note of quilts that resonate with you visually. Additionally, make use of the “save photo” feature on Instagram to collect even more fabric designs that capture your interest.
Conclusion
It’s perfectly fine not to achieve perfection immediately. Creativity, quilting included, involves a journey and a process. The more we experiment and embrace new approaches, the more we develop our unique expression through color, fabric selections, and style. I trust that these suggestions will enhance your confidence in selecting fabric for your next quilt!
