Confessions of a color-phobic quilter

Jun 21, 2012

It’s amazing how many people just assume that I know how to pick out colors and fabrics for a quilt. Truth is, I stink at it. Even though I do a lot of quilting, I don’t ever have to think about colors……all I have to do is match the thread color to the quilt top. That is pretty much the extent of my color knowledge.

This is nothing new, I have always had a tendency to make quilts with only 2 0r 3 colors. I would often stop at a quilt shop and buy the same print in 3 different colors and make my quilt out of that….not very creative, I know! Even though I have been making quilts for a long time, I still can’t get out of that rut!!

The Dimensions quilt that I designed and made as a free pattern actually (shockingly!) uses 4 colors.

I had a really, really hard time with this. I knew that I needed 4 colors, but I just couldn’t put together something that I liked. It took me way too long to pick out the fabric for it!

Another one of my 3 color quilts…..Bleachers

And don’t get me started on prints! I can barely pick 4 solid colors to use in a quilt. If you start throwing prints my way, I get really lost. I can pick out fabric to go with one print…that’s it! My method is simple, and predictable. I lay out the print and pick solid colors that match fabric….if I need another color, I pick gray (I love gray!). It may look something like this:

Hey, I know I won’t be writing a dissertation on color theory anytime soon.

As a machine quilter, I see a lot of quilts. I love that some people have a way of putting together just the perfect colors and fabrics for their quilts.

Quilt designed and pieced by Tula Pink

I am so envious of that ability….it seems so foreign to me. I can’t begin to make scrap quilts because the multiple prints and colors are overwhelming!

Now, before you mention it, I know that there are websites that will help you pick out a palette of colors. But I still can’t do it! I have even bought books that have tons and tons of color palettes. Nope….no luck!

But there is a happy ending to this story…….I discovered fabric bundles! Thankfully there are wonderful people out there that will pick out the fabric for me!

Photo by Pink Chalk Fabrics

How about you? Do you like picking out fabrics or do you struggle with it like I do?

About the Author

Since learning how to quilt from her husband's Grandpa 10 years ago, Angela has been obsessed with machine quilting. With a deep appreciation for traditional quilting, she has found a niche quilting modern quilts. She loves to teach machine quilting and is the author of "Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters". She says completed customer quilts as well as tips for machine quilting on her blog Quiltingismytherapy.com

19 Comments

Laura June 21, 2012 at 8:51 am Reply

The discovery of fabric collections is the only reason I have ventured back in to quilting. It's the only way I know that my fabric choices will work. But now I am OCD about fabric. If I do buy an odd fat quarter for some reason (usually because my daughter liked it) I get mad if the collection name is not printed on the selvedge.
Laura June 21, 2012 at 8:52 am Reply

Sorry I meant to say I love the Dimensions quilt. Solids still scare me though. The color card helps.
Jackie June 21, 2012 at 10:40 am Reply

I struggle with picking fabrics too! I usually buy the collection or fabric bundles, so much easier (at least for me).
Amy L June 21, 2012 at 1:07 pm Reply

I just figure if I throw enough different kinds of fabrics into the quilt, eventually it will all even out and look good. Words that I live by: "If 10 colors is good, 110 is better." and "Just use a little of everything that way you don't have to decide."
Debbie-Esch House Quilts June 21, 2012 at 1:11 pm Reply

I don't struggle with color palettes, but I do tend to prefer limited color ranges. I love the greys and greens in your Bleachers quilt.
Ardelle June 21, 2012 at 8:31 pm Reply

When I started I really did not trust my color sense. Somewhere along the way I started trusting myself. The more I picked the easier it got. Then I opened a quilt shop and spend every day helping customers pick fabric! Who knew that's were I would end up....
Cindy June 21, 2012 at 11:28 pm Reply

I LOVE picking out fabrics, that's my favorite part! Quilting the tops is my second favorite. Now if I could just find someone to do the piecing for me I'd be in heaven!
- Emily C December 20, 2012 at 7:21 am Reply
  
  Lol, your my opposite. I love putting the quilt puzzle peices together, but I'm not so great at the quilting. I have an applique quilt that's just about done and i'm dreading starting the quilting. (mostly cuse I messed up the last quilt's backing, it had bumps for some reason and I couldn't bear to take it all out.)
Jeanine June 22, 2012 at 6:10 am Reply

I love picking out fabrics. I run a quilt ministry that makes about 300 quilts a year. I buy fabric on sale and work with donated fabric. I don't have the luxury of buying from a pre-selected collection. I love to find what works and put together quilt kits from what I have on hand!!
Judy June 22, 2012 at 6:32 am Reply

I admit that I never think to do this until after I've struggled choosing fabrics for a quilt, but a focus fabric is a great way to choose fabrics that go together well. Find an active print fabric whose colors appeal to you and choose colors for your quilt that are in that print. You don' t even have to use the focus fabric in your quilt, you can use it just to choose colors.
Kris June 22, 2012 at 8:38 am Reply

I do. I grew up with a mother that could put any old thing together and have it turn out great. Often I would cringe and look the other way and say "nice mom". As I started learning more about piecing I am also learning a bit about risk. I am astonished when I put some things together and one thing pops. I know some of it is luck but I seem to be finding my way. Now that my mother is 93 and in failing health, I show her my in progress pieces and she often comments "you really have a way with putting things together, I could learn a lot from you." I do love the fabric bundles and will often pick a few and then add my own. I challenge myself to bring something to the palate. I bet you can do this too. :)
Gail Segreto June 22, 2012 at 8:48 am Reply

Make it easier.... your first quilt in the blog only has 2 colors, yellow and then 3 shades of blue! : ) There are many books on color for quilters. Going thru one of those will really change your thinking and help out a lot. I recommend it for anyone who spends the time and money to put together their own choices for a quilt.
Christine Piepmeier June 22, 2012 at 1:25 pm Reply

When I do a scrappy quilt (which is my preference), I select a color palate and pull out as many fabrics as I can in those colors. The key is "more is more" - don't use 10 when you can use 100. It is amazing how they will play well together when you practice "the more the merrier".
Elaine Novak June 22, 2012 at 6:47 pm Reply

I have trouble with colors too, but fortunately I am married to an artist (painter) and when I question my choices I just ask for a "consult"! He has been an invaluable resource. Sorry I won't share!! ;-)
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Sandy S July 3, 2012 at 9:10 am Reply

Okay...I have one word for you...paintchips. Go to your local hardware store and look at all the paint chip cards. They have already picked colours that go together. Use the dots on the bottom of the fabric and match it to the paint chips. All the magic will come from that :)
virginia July 27, 2012 at 8:21 pm Reply

looking at the sky at sunset, sunrise, flowers and leaves of trees, vegetables and fruit, clouds, rocks ... there are endless combinations, but always put what we like.
Emily C December 20, 2012 at 7:23 am Reply

I have some issues picking out colors, but I figure it is part of the learning process. I will figure it out eventually.

Confessions of a color-phobic quilter

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