Color Inspirations

June 14, 2013
Selecting a color palette for your quilt or sewing project doesn't have to be hard. Inspiration is everywhere! See how to choose fabrics for your quilt with tips from nature, fashion, and even home decor. 
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Orange Palette

Combine light and dark fabrics of the same color. Here orange prints in varying hues team up in a warm, comforting palette. Add a dark neutral, such as brown, to balance the bright colors. Choose a brown with golden undertones to complement the warm orange fabrics.

Shop for these fabrics (top to bottom)!
Notting Hill by Joel Dewberry, FreeSpirit

Photochrome Petals by Julie Creus of La Todera, Clothworks

Go Fish, Blank Quilting

Gilt Trip (Metallic), Dear Stella

Raindrops by Lonni Rossi, Andover Fabrics

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Gold Star

When selecting fabrics for a quilt, you don't necessarily need equal proportions of color. In this holiday vignette, golds and creams outnumber powder blue hues. Choose prints with elaborate designs to bring the elegant look of a carefully wrapped present to your project.

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Tonga Poinsettia, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Cotton Solids by Kona, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Explorer by Punch Studio, Hoffman California Fabrics

Flowers of the Forest Flannel, Maywood Studio

Modern Shadows, P&B Textiles

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Peppermint Treat

Include neutral fabrics in your quilt. They help the main colors pop and give the eye a place to rest. Gray is an unexpected neutral that balances cheery reds.

Shop for these fabrics (top to bottom)!
La Femme by Melissa Crowley, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Stonehenge: Oh Canada by Linda Ludovico, Northcott

Flirt by Sandy Gervais, Moda Fabrics

Artisan Batiks: Elementals (Dotty Dot) by Lunn Studios, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater, Moda Fabrics

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Winter’s Glow

Winter white, cool blues, woodland brown, and a bit of yellow combine perfectly and would make a beautiful quilt. The yellow and white offer pops of color while the blues' varied prints add contrast and interest without overwhelming the palette.

Shop for these fabrics (left to right)!
Shot Cotton by Kaffe Fassett, Rowan Fabrics

Stonehenge Ginko - Woodland by Deborah Edwards and Linda Ludovico, Northcott

Rebecca Embroideries, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Bollywood Bliss by Jane Spolar, Northcott

The Painted Garden by Dena Designs, FreeSpirit

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Rich and Creamy

Just like the double wraps on these cupcakes, two fabrics close to each other on the color wheel add texture and movement to a quilt.

Shop for these fabrics! (Left to right)!
Galeria Encantada by Gail Marie, P&B Textiles

Give Thanks by Deb Strain, Moda Fabrics

Sumatra, Blank Quilting

Bali Woodprints, Hoffman California Fabrics

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Elegant Surprise

The subtle nuances of the iridescent ribbon are reflected in the batik and multicolor fabrics. The batik has hints of green, orange, purple, and brown that tie the other fabrics together.

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Tonga Royal Velvet, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Bali Woodprints, Hoffman California Fabrics

Sakura Park by Sentimental Studios, Moda Fabrics

Line Work, Dear Stella

Autumn Friends by Belly Buttons Designs, Blank Quilting

Wild Africa by Jodi Bergsma, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

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Citrus Heaven

Balance bright oranges and pinks with soft grays and beiges. If two or more of your fabrics are the same color, make sure the patterns are different enough to tell them apart in your quilt.

Shop for these fabrics (top to bottom)!
Sumatra batiks, Blank Quilting

Serenity Taupe Prints by Daiwabo, E.E. Schenck

Serenity Taupe Prints by Daiwabo, E.E. Schenck

Dandelion Daydream II, Maywood Studio

Butterfields by Margot Languedoc of The Pattern Basket, Henry Glass & Co.

Emma by Michele Scott of The Pieceful Quilter, Northcott

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Berry Bursts

Combine happy reds, bright green, deep purple, and calming tans to mimic the look of fresh-from-the vine berries. Add texture, just like the seeds on a strawberry, by choosing fabrics with tone-on-tone accents or subtle prints.

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J'Adore Stella Sunburst Stripe, Dear Stella

Give Thanks by Deb Strain, Moda Fabrics

Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille, Moda Fabrics

Hoodie's Collection Raindrops, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Soho, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Montecito, Connecting Threads

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Cliff at Sunset

Capture the beauty of a sunset against a natural landscape with fabric that pulls in rich golds and deep blues. A mixture of bold prints and subtle designs mimics both the surprise and grace that nature offers.

Shop for these fabrics (left to right)!
Boys at Work, Northcott

Sumatra batiks, Blank Quilting

Marblehead by Ro Gregg, Paintbrush Studio

Artisan Batiks: Cornucopia by Lunn Studios, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

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Apple and Caramel

These colors are so scrumptious together-just like the fall flavors of caramel, apples, cinnamon, and oranges. Keep reds and greens from looking too Christmasy by choosing a lighter green and mixing in patterned neutrals.

Shop for these fabrics (left to right)!
Kapalua Batiks, Moda Fabrics

Willow, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Splash, Blank Quilting

Serenity by Daiwabo, E.E. Schenck

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Artistic Pottery

Museums are filled with ancient pottery, beautiful paintings, and stoic statues. Quilts are also magnificent works of art composed of intricate patterns, brilliant colors, and elaborate designs. Make your next quilt something to be hung in a museum by choosing a variety of prints. Florals, paisleys, stripes, and dots all add to the intricacy of your quilt. Pair bright colors, such as oranges and teals, with darker blues and greens to achieve the right balance.

Shop for these fabrics (top to bottom)!
Splash, Blank Quilting

Serenity Basics, E.E. Schenck

Cuzco by Kate Spain, Moda Fabrics

La Scala 4, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Maasai Mara, Dear Stella

Cotton Couture, Michael Miller Fabrics

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Tricks and Treats

You can make any color fabric pop off a quilt by pairing it with black. If you're using only two or three colors in a project, such as the orange, black, and white fabrics featured here, make sure to use fun and graphic prints to provide interest and contrast.

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Modern by Robin Zingone, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Tic Tac by Kim Schaefer, Andover Fabrics

Guising by Lizzie House, Andover Fabrics

Line Work, Dear Stella

French Bulldog by Jackie Shapiro, Windham Fabrics

Plum Rose Basics, Blank Quilting

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Vintage Porch

Conjure images of Grandma's porch with the vintage look of light pinks and turquoises. Romantic hues and pretty prints create both a retro and a girly look.

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Fly Away by Amy Schimler, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Rock Candy by Mark Hordyszynski Design, Blank Quilting

Bali Handprints, Hoffman California Fabrics

Mosaic, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Bali Handprints, Hoffman California Fabrics

Toy Box by Sara Morgan, Blue Hill Fabrics

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Lovely Lilacs

If you look closely, flowers are complex in their colors and patterns. Learn from nature by pairing different shades of one color with a few standout colors. Subtle prints add interest without distracting from the quilt design.

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Fiona, Blank Quilting

Nature's Flora by Terri Conrad Designs, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Beautiful Blossoms by Deborah Edwards, Northcott

Shadow Play, Maywood Studio

Dandelion II, Maywood Studio

Good Fortune by Kate Spain, Moda Fabrics

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Cherry Season

See how each cherry has a different color and the light bounces off each in a different way? Help your quilt have the same nuances by choosing different prints of the same color. Add touches of an additional color with a muted green and neutrals that won't overwhelm an already rich quilt.

Shop for these fabrics (top to bottom)!
Marblehead by Ro Gregg, Paintbrush Studio

La La's Garden by Lonni Rossi, Andover Fabrics

Grandeur, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Marblehead by Ro Gregg, Paintbrush Studio

European Taupe by Kinkame, Clothworks

Gatsby, P&B Textiles

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Nature’s Beauty

Don't be afraid to use wild prints in your quilts. Help these prints blend into your quilt instead of taking it over by pairing them with coordinating solid colors. You'll achieve the harmony that nature presents in its beautiful plants.

Shop for these fabrics (left to right)!
Marblehead by Ro Gregg, Paintbrush Studio

Dutch Tulip eight-step fabric bundle, Cherrywood Fabrics

Dancing in the Rain by Laundry Basket Quilts, Moda Fabrics

Citrus Splash eight-step fabric bundle, Cherrywood Fabrics

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Fall Landscape

Fall is nature's last hurrah before winter sets in. Bright colors and chaotic movement are all part of this wonderful season. To cuddle up in a quilt that mimics autumn, choose fabrics with golds, oranges, and browns that feature a variety of prints, which will add movement to your quilt-just like leaves blowing in the wind.

Shop for these fabrics (left to right)!
Candy Dots, Blank Quilting

Candy Corn by Renée Nanneman of Need'l Love, Andover Fabrics

Harvest Moon by Kansas Troubles Quilters, Moda Fabrics

Everlastings by Sandy Gervais, Moda Fabrics

Watercolor Parade, Blank Quilting

Artisan Batiks Elementals: Dotty Dot by Lunn Studios, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

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Orchard Days

Take a cue from your school days and mix primary and secondary colors in a quilt. Balance bright red, yellow, and orange with natural blue, green, and black.

Shop for these fabrics (top to bottom)!
Tic Tac by Kim Schaefer, Andover Fabrics

Madeline Flannel by Ann Kelle, Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Sweet on NYC by Sugar Pixie, Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Butterfly Bouquet by Renee Charisse Jardine, Blank Quilting

Spin by Whistler Studios, Windham Fabrics

Black Magic by Renée Nanneman of Need'l Love, Andover Fabrics

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