How to Pick Color Schemes and Fabrics for Quilts

Brightly colored quilts can add life to a dull room.

The right color schemes and textures of a quilt can bring a room together, whereas a mismatched item will only look like clutter. If you are looking for an accent or centerpiece to make a room pop, you'll want a brighter splash of color or even intricate design work. If the quilt is going to be used for warmth and comfort, you'll need sturdy material above all else.

Instructions

1. 

   Nursery quilts often use softer colors.

   Determine the tones you want to use in the room in which the quilt will be displayed. If the quilt is for a nursery or a small child, you'll want soft pastel tones. If it's for an older child, find out their favorite color, but make it a bright happy piece. Quilts for living rooms and dens are often for show, and you can get creative by picking out multiple color patterns, so long as they also suit each other. Don't allow the fabrics to get too busy. If you've got one section with an intricate design, give its partners a stable, single-toned based. Don't choose colors that are already dominant in the room. The quilt should be an accent, and highlight the furniture.

2. 

   Use heavy-duty fabrics for quilts that will be well-loved.

   Determine the use of the quilt to pick out adequate, durable fabrics. If the quilt is going to be merely decoration, you'll have a lot more options, as you'll be able to use delicate fabrics. However, if it will be used regularly, test the quality of the fabrics you buy, because you'll need something sturdy and washable. Determine the temperature in the area. If the quilt is going to be part of a home in warmer climates, you can use light fabrics like satin or cotton. If they will be used in a home where it often gets cold, try fleece or a wool-based fabrics.

3. 

   Light and dark colors in the same scheme give depth.

   Choose different patterns and prints. When picking out squares go for a small print, a medium print and a solid block of color or single picture print. The larger print and color will draw the eye's attention from far away, and the more intricate designs will keep the person interested as they get up close to examine the work. For a centerpiece quilt, you can use a light, medium and dark color tone for the various squares to give the quilt depth.

4. 

   A busy quilt can be fun so long as the squares match.

   Buy and check the fabrics against each other. Make sure the colors and textures you desire fit together as a cohesive whole. While red stripes and blue polka dots may look great separately, they may be too bold for your tastes when you put them together. On the other hand, they could add just the right amount of spice to your design. Don't hesitate to check the fabrics together to be sure the whole will equal the sum of the parts. You can ask for swatch samples, or buy what you think you'll need upfront. It's better to bring back a piece that isn't working with the rest than to try to force it together.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to use bold printed patterned pieces. Checks, stripes, even objects on each square can make for a fun centerpiece and conversation starter. Just make sure the patterns complement each other and are not fighting for attention within the quilt.

• Boring quilts can be the result of choosing fabrics that are too similar. Stay away from using fabrics that are similar in color, hue, or texture.

• Just because you bought a piece a fabric for a specific quilt, does not mean you have to stick with your choice. Sometimes you start making a project and a fabric just doesn't look right. Stop what you are doing. Reevaluate your fabric choice to determine which fabric needs replaced and find something else before proceeding.

References

• Quilt Bug: Color in Quilts
• Sew A Quilt: Choosing Fabrics and Prints