Where to Start
When learning how to make a patchwork quilt, picking your fabric can be one of the funnest parts, or the most difficult. One of the most common phrases that I hear in the patchwork shop where I work is "I'll know what I want when I see it". Considering there are over twelve thousand bolts of fabric in the store, they might be looking for a a long while.
What I suggest is that you think about it before you actually go shopping to avoid being overwhelmed. As an example, What is your favorite colour? Do you like florals? Geometric designs? Batiks? Plains (like Amish quilts)? Bold colours or soft colours? This is going to help to give you a starting place and the sales aid will be able to steer you to the right fabrics.
Choosing Fabrics
When you're beginning quilting, I recommend that you begin by choosing a patterned fabric in your favourite color. That way, you will love working on the quilt, and you'll love it for a very long time after it's finished. Then you can select some complementary fabrics to go with it. Perhaps the best way is to select other fabrics in the same Range. Generally manufacturers design a "Range" of coordinating patterns and colours around the same theme, including small and big patterns and one or two colors. If you select your fabrics from the same Range, you know they can all work in together in your quilt.
If you are unable to find other fabrics in the same range, look down the fringe of your chosen fabric (which is known as the selvedge) and you'll see the designers name, and several small numbered circles. These contain all of the coloured dyes which have been used in the printing process of that fabric. You can then use these color spots to match with other fabrics to go with your primary fabric, knowing that if you use those colours they will definitely go together.
Add A Touch of Adventure
These are safe options that you can be certain will work. However if you would like to be more adventurous, learn all about the color wheel and try some different color combinations e.g. A "Complementary colour scheme" incorporates colours that are directly opposite one another on the color wheel like purple and yellow, or blue and orange. Quilts made of these colours can look fantastic and vibrant.
When you are selecting colours, ensure you "audition" them. Take the bolts off the shelf and test them together, take one away and see whether it appears to be good or bad, put in a darker one, or an accent colour. Take away any which don't "go together". The ones that do not match could be because they've a cream background instead of white, or because it is an orange-red rather than a blue based red.
As a sales helper I would much rather have to put away extra bolts of fabric, than see a customer leave not totally satisfied with her purchase. And do ask for help if you can not decide, but do not let yourself be bullied into selecting something you are not satisfied with. Even though it is ultimately your decision, sales assistants are there to help with opinions, to suggest options you had not considered of, and perhaps, to find that evasive bolt of fabric that's "just right" for you.
When learning how to make a patchwork quilt, picking your fabric can be one of the funnest parts, or the most difficult. One of the most common phrases that I hear in the patchwork shop where I work is "I'll know what I want when I see it". Considering there are over twelve thousand bolts of fabric in the store, they might be looking for a a long while.
What I suggest is that you think about it before you actually go shopping to avoid being overwhelmed. As an example, What is your favorite colour? Do you like florals? Geometric designs? Batiks? Plains (like Amish quilts)? Bold colours or soft colours? This is going to help to give you a starting place and the sales aid will be able to steer you to the right fabrics.
Choosing Fabrics
When you're beginning quilting, I recommend that you begin by choosing a patterned fabric in your favourite color. That way, you will love working on the quilt, and you'll love it for a very long time after it's finished. Then you can select some complementary fabrics to go with it. Perhaps the best way is to select other fabrics in the same Range. Generally manufacturers design a "Range" of coordinating patterns and colours around the same theme, including small and big patterns and one or two colors. If you select your fabrics from the same Range, you know they can all work in together in your quilt.
If you are unable to find other fabrics in the same range, look down the fringe of your chosen fabric (which is known as the selvedge) and you'll see the designers name, and several small numbered circles. These contain all of the coloured dyes which have been used in the printing process of that fabric. You can then use these color spots to match with other fabrics to go with your primary fabric, knowing that if you use those colours they will definitely go together.
Add A Touch of Adventure
These are safe options that you can be certain will work. However if you would like to be more adventurous, learn all about the color wheel and try some different color combinations e.g. A "Complementary colour scheme" incorporates colours that are directly opposite one another on the color wheel like purple and yellow, or blue and orange. Quilts made of these colours can look fantastic and vibrant.
When you are selecting colours, ensure you "audition" them. Take the bolts off the shelf and test them together, take one away and see whether it appears to be good or bad, put in a darker one, or an accent colour. Take away any which don't "go together". The ones that do not match could be because they've a cream background instead of white, or because it is an orange-red rather than a blue based red.
As a sales helper I would much rather have to put away extra bolts of fabric, than see a customer leave not totally satisfied with her purchase. And do ask for help if you can not decide, but do not let yourself be bullied into selecting something you are not satisfied with. Even though it is ultimately your decision, sales assistants are there to help with opinions, to suggest options you had not considered of, and perhaps, to find that evasive bolt of fabric that's "just right" for you.
About the Author:
For tons more simple ideas on how to make a patchwork quilt, visit Maree Galt's patchwork quilt website right now!
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