Welcome to October’s edition of Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd where we share our favorite quilting or sewing tips and tutorials. This month, I will share a little about how I approach selecting fabrics for a quilt. I did this twice in the last month, and it was a lot of fun. I had some “restrictions” which also helps limit the choices, because we all know there are so many gorgeous fabrics out there! I will talk about Accidental Stars and how I selected the fabrics in the collection to work with my pattern.
Last Month’s Link Ups
Here are September’s links for you take a look at. I am so grateful to those who linkup their tips and tutorials!
- From Andree, there are some fabulous tips about embroidering and her wonderful artistic process.
Selecting Fabrics for a Quilt
The good news, for this one, is I had a collection picked for me, so the narrowing process was done for me. Now, there are so many gorgeous fabrics, what should I do???
First, have in mind your quilt design because that helps in making your decision. For mine, I chose a square in a square as the block I would use.
Second, I needed some focus fabrics. In this collection the flowers became the focus fabrics. There were two I choose to feature, because they were multicolored and a little larger, so that would work well in the center.
Third, I needed fabrics to be partners. They would go next to the focus fabric and make it stand out. That meant maybe some smaller prints and some with the colors that played well with the other fabrics already chose. I chose the three above.
Here are the three basic building blocks used.
Fourth, I needed some fabrics to act as intermediaries, things that would make the blocks work. One actually became the partner for a few blocks in the center and a feature on the border. One is lighter and one is darker. One complements a center, and actually works to continue the pattern in the squares surrounding the accidental stars.
In this small section of the quilt you can see how the design begins to work.
Lastly, I needed the borders/bindings. Sometimes I start with this, but not this quilt. I choose a bright pink to “stop” the pattern, and a more subtle larger border that emphasized some of the other teals/purples in the quilt. Finally, the binding was the dark purple, which did have some happy light spots that worked really well.
And here is the designed quilt. You can see the finished quilt here! Next month I will explore the design process for the Jolly Bar Jumble quilt I am making.
Join the Linky Party!
Now it’s your turn to post, and the rules are simple – write up a tip or group of tips or a tutorial that is quilting or sewing-related and link that post below. The linky party is open from 12:01 am on the 22nd through midnight on the 31st. The post does not have to be new but should be one that hasn’t been linked to Tips and Tutorials in the past. If you don’t have a blog, please send it to me (kathleen@kathleenmcmusing.com) and I will post your tip or tutorial for you!
Past Tips and Tutorials
In case you didn’t know, if you have missed some past #TTot22, you can check them out in the tab at the top of my page or on my Pinterest board.
Coming Up on My Blog
The beer table runner is done, and you will see a post at the end of the week. Yoga 2 is on the frame, so I am getting some things done, but slower than I usually do. All is well, just breathing a bit! The good news is there is plenty to do….so I best get back to sewing.
Beer Table Runner
Yoga 2
Fat Quarter Shop Project – Previews in Oct, pattern on Nov. 26th
Baby Quilts (2 for my son’s friends)
Goodness that is such a pretty collection! I’d just stick all the pieces on the design wall and look at them. :D
The accidental squares formed within this pattern are clever and beautiful. I hope I’ll see your finished top.
this is a helpful post and your quilt is gorgeous. I do not like to plan but having a group of fabrics out of my stash, since I don’t have a whole collection like that pretty one, helps me to make choices. Too often I remember having what I think is the perfect choice, go on a hunt and it’s either not enough left for the project, or can’t find it! I have so much
LeeAnna
Great description of your fabric selection process. Knowing the pattern is really important for me, and I often try to keep in mind light, medium, and dark value differences when I’m putting my fabrics together for a quilt.
Fun to read about your fabric choosing processes and see it pulled together, Kathleen! I try to pay attention to value, and lots of times I surprise myself when I try some combinations!
Depending on how I look at your quilt I see different things, stars or a design where the light Squares stick out more etc. Great choosing!
Hi Kathleen, thanks for taking us through your picking process. The line of fabrics may play well together, but you still have to choose. You did a wonderful job because those fabrics just shine together!
Thanks for sharing you fabric selection method. I like choosing a border print and let that (basically) pick my colors for me. It can help newbies gain color confidence, too!