Sometimes when I finish making a quilt, I am disappointed in how boring and “matchy-matchy” it turned out. It is not as exciting as I expected when I chose the gorgeous, colorful fabrics at the fabric shop. Effective use of color can reinforce a composition and help clarify your intention. Ineffective use of color can make a good quilt mediocre in a hurry. Value is the most important aspect of color. A full range of values from light to dark makes the difference between a mediocre quilt and a true art piece. Because the very lightest and the deepest darks are sometimes forgotten, the quilter needs to step out of their comfort zone when choosing fabrics. Lighter colors can illuminate a quilt, and darks can add depth and richness. Learning to use the color wheel helps to identify why some combinations work well and some do not.
The OPQG Library has the following books, and more, to inspire you with color.
Color Magic for Quilters By Ann Seely & Joyce Stewart
For anyone who has ever felt unsure about choosing and combining colors and fabrics, this is the guide for you. The most recognized color wheel used for fabric dyes or pigments was created by J.C. Le Blon around 1731. Learn how to use the magic of the color wheel in combining tints, tones, and shades. Not only does the author give you tips in creating exciting blocks for your quilts, but they also cover block makeovers that show how to make good quilts even better. The book includes 12 fantastic quilt projects with clear and simple directions for you to make using your color confidence.
Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter By Katie Pasquini Masopust and Brett Barker
This book includes easy to follow art lessons for quilting and papercrafts. You build a color wheel from fabric to learn color theory. Using the “Nine Patches” of color schemes, the quilter can improve the composition of patchwork to art quilts. The applique quilter will find the exercises regarding composing with shape helpful.
Color Confidence for Quilters By Jinny Beyers
In this book, the author shows you how to make and use a master color palette, use shading, deep darks, and accents. You learn to focus on your fabric choices and recognize and use visual texture. There are step-by-step instructions on choosing your colors, how to evaluate and adjust your colors, as well as when to eliminate colors.
Simply Color: Orange by Vanessa Christenson
The author encourages quilters to think about fabric as a box of crayons. In each of her books, Vanessa Christenson gives you four quilts and two smaller projects specifically designed to feature a color. This book features orange. Learn how to compare hues, tints, shades, tones, value, saturation, and to make color combinations. This is the book that will bring you out of your comfort zone to create strikingly bold quilts with color.
Color from the Heart by Gai Perry
In this book, you will learn how to create fabulous color schemes with colors you love. It includes seven projects for wall-hanging size quilts. The author goes beyond color theory. Perry emphasizes that the quilter needs to consider “fabric personality” (the message a particular fabric conveys). A third element to be considered is “intuitive color choice”: the ability to know when the colors and fabrics you are working with feel right. This intuitive feeling is developed from your perception and knowledge. As you work through the book’s lessons, you will be able to rely more on your intuitive color choices and less on other peoples’ opinions of what looks right.
Happy reading and quilting,
Loretta Hermann
OPQG Librarian