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 advise is that you ponder it before you go looking to avoid getting overwhelmed. For example, What's your favourite color? Do you like florals? Geometrical designs? Batiks? Plains (like Amish colors or soft colors? This will help to offer you a starting point and the sales helper will be in a position to guide you to the best fabrics for you.
Selecting Fabrics
When you are beginning quilting, I suggest you start by selecting a patterned fabric in your favorite colour. That way, you most likely like working on the you'll adore it for a long while after it's finished. Then you can choose some complementary fabrics to go with it. Maybe the easiest way is to pick other fabrics in the same Range. Most often manufacturers design a "Range" of co-ordinating patterns and colors round the same theme, including big and small patterns and a couple of colours. If you choose your fabrics from the same Range, you know they may all work in together in your cannot find other fabrics in the same range, look down the edge of your selected fabric (which is named the selvedge) and you will see the designers name, plus one or two little numbered circles. These contain all the colored dyes that've been used in the printing process of that fabric. You may then use these colour spots to match with other fabrics to go with your main fabric, knowing that if you use those colors they can definitely go together.
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.
When you're choosing colors, make sure you "audition" them. Take the bolts off the shelf and test them together, take one away and see if it looks better or worse, put in a darker one, or an accent color. Take away any which don't "go together". The ones that don't match may be because they have got a cream background rather than white, or because it's an orange-red instead of a blue based red.
As a sales assistant I'd rather have to put away additional bolts of fabric, than see someone leave the shop not entirely happy with her purchase. And do ask for help if you cannot decide, but don't let yourself be bullied into choosing something you aren't happy with. Although it is in the end your call, sales helpers are there to help you with views, to suggest options you hadn't thought of, and just maybe, to find that elusive bolt of fabric that is "ideal" 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 advise is that you ponder it before you go looking to avoid getting overwhelmed. For example, What's your favourite color? Do you like florals? Geometrical designs? Batiks? Plains (like Amish colors or soft colors? This will help to offer you a starting point and the sales helper will be in a position to guide you to the best fabrics for you.
Selecting Fabrics
When you are beginning quilting, I suggest you start by selecting a patterned fabric in your favorite colour. That way, you most likely like working on the you'll adore it for a long while after it's finished. Then you can choose some complementary fabrics to go with it. Maybe the easiest way is to pick other fabrics in the same Range. Most often manufacturers design a "Range" of co-ordinating patterns and colors round the same theme, including big and small patterns and a couple of colours. If you choose your fabrics from the same Range, you know they may all work in together in your cannot find other fabrics in the same range, look down the edge of your selected fabric (which is named the selvedge) and you will see the designers name, plus one or two little numbered circles. These contain all the colored dyes that've been used in the printing process of that fabric. You may then use these colour spots to match with other fabrics to go with your main fabric, knowing that if you use those colors they can definitely go together.
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.
When you're choosing colors, make sure you "audition" them. Take the bolts off the shelf and test them together, take one away and see if it looks better or worse, put in a darker one, or an accent color. Take away any which don't "go together". The ones that don't match may be because they have got a cream background rather than white, or because it's an orange-red instead of a blue based red.
As a sales assistant I'd rather have to put away additional bolts of fabric, than see someone leave the shop not entirely happy with her purchase. And do ask for help if you cannot decide, but don't let yourself be bullied into choosing something you aren't happy with. Although it is in the end your call, sales helpers are there to help you with views, to suggest options you hadn't thought of, and just maybe, to find that elusive bolt of fabric that is "ideal" for you.
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To get more great tips about how to make a patchwork quilt, check out Maree Galt's patchwork quilt site now!
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