Choosing colours

[fluffynan]

I always seem to have trouble choosing colours for a project. I have bought a colour wheel but the writing on it and on the instructions are so small that I have a job reading them -thats what happens as you get older - yours eyes go!
I know the principle - I think - of choosing one colour or pattern that you really like, but then I have a real problem choosing any others to go with it. Don't really understand about colour value and so on. Does or did anyone have a similar problem and if so how did they deal with it.
Many thanks
Sue

[Mia]

Re: Choosing colours

Hi there.....

I wish I had an answer for you but to be very honest, that is one of my problems also. I'm eagerly awaiting the answers I know will come from some of our amazing quilters.

Hugs
Mia

[mrswindy4]

Re: Choosing colours

I have that same problem...thats why I love the pre-cuts...they are already grouped together by color and prints!!

When I do have to choose...I just choose colors I like. One basic big print, lets say the background is green...I would choose a darker green and a lighter green. I would then choose a color out of the pattern, (lets say a red flower) I would then choose a lighter and darker red. I'd find a neutral color in the pattern and try to match it as best I could, in a light, medium and darker shades. I would try to add in a medium size flower print, as well as a smaller flower print while looking for the lighter and darker shades.

Again...choose what you like...you'll be amazed at how well the fabrics do match up after your project is complete!!

[Heather1967]

Re: Choosing colours

Funny. I love the pre-cuts too because I hate choosing colors. But when I do HAVE to choose colors I take my base fabric down to my quilt store and hand it over to Kathy my quilt lady. She'll run around the store and pick out colors and I just yay or nay them and walk out with a fabulous looking bunch of fabric that make a fabulous looking quilt.

I'm getting a bit better at running and picking out bolts because I've been doing it for so long. If I find one fabric I love I buy a lot of it and then I find a pattern to use it in and then I head to the shop for coordinating fabrics. I tend to always second guess my instincts and I really shouldn't. I don't think anyone should. If your gut says take this one, then take it, it will probalby look really good.

Heather

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Choosing colours

Always have the main focus fabric with you. Guessing at shades doesn't work. (Ask me how I know - that's one reason I have such a big stash.) I lay the bolts out on top of the bolts or a table at the shop and stand back a little to look at them. The ones that don't work, you will usually know. I have been known to pull about 10 reds or greens or whatever color I'm trying to pull out - to lay out. I am not very good at just holding up the focus fabric against the bolts and bolts of fabric.

I've never used a colorwheel. I just pull out the colors I like out of the focus fabric.

Hugs,

[toggpine]

Re: Choosing colours

I'm with Trish on this one. Choose your pattern and pick a main/focus fabric and then take it with you to choose the other colors. It is amazing how many varieties of that one color there are. It doesn't all have to be matchy-matchy to work well. Take a look at what the pattern is. If it has clearly defined lights and darks then try to keep the same ratio in your preferred color. I haven't ever used a color wheel to pick my fabrics, so I don't know who to make that work for you.
If you are using pre-cut fabrics and you will need some for a border, binding or whatnot, pick up a yard or so when the line first comes out. It is so much easier than trying to find something that works with it even a year later! (Trust me on this one, I'm dealing with it now.)
Happy fabric hunting!

[jrchapman]

Re: Choosing colours

I drive the girls in my LQS mad because I spend hours pulling out bolts of fabric and swapping them around. I don't use any hard and fast rules I just go with what I think looks good together.

I find a pattern first and then pick some fabrics which I think will look good together and then I fold them so that they're in the same proportions as in the pattern. Then I throw ones in and pull ones out until I'm happy with the balance. I'm sure there are rules on how to do this but I just go with my gut. In the end, if I like it then I'm sure whoever I'm giving it to will appreciate it.

If you are really unsure then picking from the same range should always work because the designers have done all the hard work balancing everything for you!

[sally]

Re: Choosing colours

My problem is that there is sometimes too much to choose from or I choose something I like at the time and then later wonder why I bought those colors. For instance I bought some muted blue and greens and creams and now that I have them I realize that they really wont work for me. Good side my bro and sisinlaw are going to get a nice quilt for there 25th wedding anniv.

[Mia]

Re: Choosing colours

I am so jealous of you who have a LQS ladies who are eager or even willing to help you choose fabrics. After I read someone's post talking about their LQS, I took the quilt I was working on to my own LQS...expecting the same degree of eagerness. Not to be..... I walked around for a bit ... looking on my own and the clerk stood leaning against her cutting table. I went over and asked if she'd mind helping me choose a border fabric. She asked what I had in mind and told me that quilts were such a personal choice thing, she would rather I choose on my own. I didn't expect her to make the choice but I was sure hoping to to have someone with experience offer their suggestions.

So for now I'm sticking to precuts too.

Hugggs
Mia

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Choosing colours

Oooh - I don't think that lady should work in a quilt shop! I'd help ya Mia! Sure wish we were closer together than what we are. You could always post a photo here and I'm sure you'd get lots of advice. But it sure would be nice to have someone help you out in person - huh?

Oh - and Sue - wanted to add - I just picked up some really cute baby girl fabric at Joann's. I was looking for a pink to use as fill in blocks. So, I checked the fabrics around where I choose my focus fabric from and even though the pink shade matched quite well, I just wasn't being sold on the designs they offered. So I went to the wall where they had other pinks and choose something from there. So don't be afraid to walk around and check out other sections of the shop. You just never know where that perfect fabric might be resting.

Hugs,

[fluffynan]

Re: Choosing colours

Thanks so much for all your replies. Lots of good advice that I know will help me. I tend to prevaricate about starting a project and that has a lot to do with colour selection. Our LQS is some distance away and some of the staff are really good but some are very young girls who don't really seem interested in quilting and it seems as if it is just a job to them. Have brought some charm packs and fat quarters when they appealed to me, not with any project in mind tho, just cos I liked the colours, so that is a start I guess. Also have the fat quarter fun book, can't remember who it is by as it is downstairs and am planning on doing one of the quilts in that - it is black and white so am off in the next few days to choose the colours for that. Your advise will really help me. Thanks again.
Sue

[toggpine]

Re: Choosing colours

Mia, were you in my LQS??? That is kind of the attitude I get when I venture in there. We have the peninsula folks who are more farmers, gardeners, and generally appreciate the rural life (me!), then there are the harbor folks who seem to have a bit more of the disposable income, boats, luxury cars, and fully embrace the suburban lifestyle of keeping up with the neighbors (so not me). The LQS is in one of the more affluent areas and I apparently don't appreciate the snooty attitude that is provided.
I don't want them to call me honey, sweetie pie, or darlin', but a warm "hello" and some customer service is a good way to get me to spend my money in your place. While I don't expect them to pick out my fabrics for me, and really who wants that? I would expect that if you ask, they should be able to help give you some choices.
Well, I'll just use their fabric selections to pick out the right colors, come home and shop 1880 miles away. I am always welcome at MSQC, and they will deliver it right to my door with a sweet note attached to my invoice! (They don't seem to care if I shop in my sweats or PJ's here either!)

The other thing I forgot to mention is I sometimes buy the smallest cut they will sell of several fabrics I am trying to decide on. Then take the pieces home to play with the color combinations if you are having trouble making the final choice. The pieces are always good for scrappy projects later.

Sue, I hope you have a good experience at the quilt shop and you find everything you are looking for!
Cathy

[Sandy Navas]

Re: Choosing colours

I don't want them to call me honey, sweetie pie, or darlin', but a warm "hello" and some customer service is a good way to get me to spend my money in your place.
Cathy

A definite turn off for me. I will turn in my tracks and head right back to my car when I get this type greeting. Walked out of a furniture store with my mother not long ago because the clerk greeted us with "Hi, Girls!" I am way beyond being a 'girl' . . . but that's just me. I am proud of who I am and where I am at my age!!!

[Mia]

Re: Choosing colours

Hi Cathy,

I couldn't agree with you more. It seems to me... the owner would find customer service to be THE most important commodity in the shop and each customer should be greeted promptly with that warm hello you mentioned.

When I walk in... they don't know whether I am going to buy a single fat quarter or fabric for an entire quilt. Either way, they could easily ensure my return by making me feel welcome.

Thanks for your sweet response,
Mia