Fabric Color

I keep a log of the quilts I make or am in the process of making.  I write down where I buy the fabric and the sku number and a short description.  If I run short on a certain fabric, I have the information needed to make sure I get the same thing.  This saves having to drag the project all around looking for the right fabric. 

I put swatches of fabric onto safety pins and then attach the pins to a key ring.  I then take the key ring along while shopping for fabric to match. I use a separate safety pin for each project.  This is very convienient to take with you and doesn't require alot of space.

I know that after this holiday season, I went to my local store and got holiday printed fabric for 25 and 50 cents a yard.  I could not believe my eyes and of course I bought out all their inventory.  There were many different Christmas and other holiday patterns to choose from, I was in heaven

Faith Hevlow, Coral Springs, FL

One of the best tips I can give new quilters when trying to choose their own fabric combinations is to drap the fabric over the cabinet and then stand back at least 3 to 5 feet and view it from afar.  Often I see women in the store bringing the fabric closer to their eyes, when what they need is to stand back and view it like you would view it on a bed or hanging on a wall.  You get a totally different perspective on the colors when viewed from a distance.

If you can't find just the right hue of the color you need, try turning the fabric over.  Sometimes the back shade is just right. 

Wonder how to match fabric colors? Or having problems in chosing which colors to go with which? No problem at all, just look around us, the environment and nature is already an instant color chart! For example, variation of blues, take a look while u are strolling along the beach. Color of the beach/sand is just a good border/trim of brown or beige, along with the sea of [blues] waters, having some trees/rock [greens/brown] and raising up to sky and clouds i.e. [blue for clear sky, range of gray for dark rainy sky and white or dusk for clouds] isn't this our beautiful patchwork?!!  Need some vibrant color and you are lost? No problem take a look into those gardens & nursery, what goes well with violet, and yes try matching various green and browns too! [leaves and stem].

Take your time to savior them, the color chart never ends and Thank God for such a beautiful color code HE blesses us! :p)  

Sarah Yeou-Singapore

cut off the small dots on the edge of your main quilt fabric and keep it in your purse/wallet to match colours when shopping for coordinating fabrics, its a good guide for shades which match. 

Before shopping, think of what sort of feel you want your quilt to make. Be sure the colors and prints you choose are appropriate to the pattern, purpose, and recipient of the quilt. If you are creating a quilt for a friend or family member, get their input in color choice. After all, you are making a quilt for them, so it should reflect their likes and personal tastes. Allowing the recipient's input give them a hand in the quilting process, making the produce all the more special.

Some dyes have a tendency to run when wet. When you choose colors and fabrics, make sure the dyes are color fast, or else you may experience great disappointment when you go to clean the finished quilt. Certain colors, especially reds and purple, have a greater tendency to run. When you purchase fabric, ask questions about the dye stability. Many hours of work can quickly be ruined by washing a finished quilt with unstable dyes.

Many companies are producing reproduction fabrics from days gone by. If you are interested in creating a quilt from a vintage or antique pattern, think about using these beautiful reproductions. Do a bit of research and find the popular quilt colors and patterns used, then choose fabrics to reflect your findings. Reproduction fabric from the Civil War, the 1880s, and the 1930s are widely available in your local fabric shop or at a reputable online fabric dealer.