Color Inspirations
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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.
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Notting Hill by Joel Dewberry, FreeSpirit
Photochrome Petals by Julie Creus of La Todera, Clothworks
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Shot Cotton by Kaffe Fassett, Rowan Fabrics
Stonehenge Ginko - Woodland by Deborah Edwards and Linda Ludovico, Northcott
Rebecca Embroideries, Robert Kaufman Fabrics
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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.
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Galeria Encantada by Gail Marie, P&B Textiles
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Kapalua Batiks, Moda Fabrics
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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.
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Splash, Blank Quilting
Cuzco by Kate Spain, Moda 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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Marblehead by Ro Gregg, Paintbrush Studio
Dutch Tulip 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.
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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.
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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