I can’t say that I have ever been one of those people that agonises over fabric choices. Give me a pattern made up in a blue colour way and I can still visualise it in reds. If I run out of fabric half way through a project, I can usually find a replacement in my stash that works just as well, if not better. And, although my fabric buying habit is in self-imposed remission, I’ve been known to buy many a metre without any particular project in mind.
Part of this confidence is derived from understanding and applying some basic principles of colour theory. (You too can learn more about the effective use of colour in quilts in my forthcoming Colour Rhapsody workshop at Terrigal on 5 June!) Part of it comes from sheer practice. Then finally, I’m not averse to using tools at my disposal including my door peeper, digital camera and Electric Quilt.
Exciting new colour and design resources are becoming available all the time. For example, check out this new website:
the world’s first one stop shop for matching fabrics, patterns and color to suit your lifestyle
My Apple & Lilac quilt will soon feature as one of the patterns in the Down Under Quilts collection on this website. I commend both Down Under Quilts and the fabricmatcher team for their efforts in raising the profile of Australian quiltmakers internationally.
Helen says
Out oif interest, does your husband share this abilty with colour? My dad does but he is the only man I can find who does – my husband just looks at me in comlete bafflement if I show him a picture and a pile of fabric and say ‘I am making this but in these colours.’ He says an abilty to see what is not there is not nomal but I disagree as your entry proves!
Brenda says
Actually David carries colours in his head very well. I remember soon after we first met that he was buying home accessories for the furnished house he was renting and they coordinated beautifully! He doesn’t involve himself particularly with my quilt designs but, if called upon for comment, will often make very insightful remarks about backing or binding choices or the requirement for a border or binding treatment.