Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Table of contents
Choosing color for quilts can be a daunting task.
Color for quilts is a common theme in the quilting book industry. Without a doubt, there are countless books on color theory.
Access to books on color for quilts isn’t my problem.
Unfortunately, wrapping my brain around the content in those books IS my problem! I wish I knew how many books there are which explain how to use color in making quilts. I also wish I knew how many times I looked at the color wheel. I know it, read about it, and studied it. However, going from page to fabric doesn’t seem to work for me!
Color for quilts is in the details.
Many books about color go into great detail explaining the principles for mastering color for quilts. You can learn about:
- hue
- color
- intensity
- warm and cool
- harmonies of triadic, analogous, split-complimentary, double-complimentary
- complementary colors
- and MORE!
Summarily, there are whole books of very small print, explaining everything you’d ever want to know about color for quilts!
But they don’t work for me.
Likely, the reason is because I’d rather be making a quilt! But there is one thing I have learned about reading about choosing color for quilts: I have never been inspired by what I’ve read!
Look around you.
For me, I do better by “studying” nature. Sometimes its from a picture and sometimes it’s from real life. Either way, I find that nature, whether its a single flower, a landscape view, or a beach at sunset has perfect coloring. Furthermore, its inspirational!
Monochromatic by Nature
Read more about using nature as you color guide in Monochromatic by Nature.
Check your self with color charts and books.
Nevertheless, I am not recommending throwing color theory out the window. Instead, I prefer to use it to evaluate my choices AFTER I’ve been inspired with a color scheme. Color theory for quilts is obviously good and important information. I just want to learn about it while holding fabric!
SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric!
I will admit I am very much a color person. Color can evoke emotions in me that seem just a little over the top — I REALLY, REALLY love some and REALLY don’t care for others. Maybe you are like that, too?
