World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of September 11, 2000:
Our question this week comes from Gizmo
Do you think we quilters have been brainwashed into thinking we can't choose colors? We were all doing fine in the 80's until a plethora of books hit the market blinding us with science and telling us how we were all doing it wrong
swan :
Try to imagine everything in black & white - this always helps me choose colors/ because its the value and texture that really make colors work well together or not. Just like the idea of photocopying fabrics to audition them together - it helps show whether there is enough contrast between fabrics. Of course, sometimes you want less contrast or more, depending on what you're trying to achieve. Try to see it in black & white, and then decide on the colors afterwards.
Star :
I don't have an art degree - but to me there just aren't any colors that don't go together. Look at the really old quilts from the 1800's - they used what they had. Well we have a multitude of colro choices out there now. But they all seem to go togheter - you just have to follow your instincts. I mean - sure purple and orange sound funny together but they do "go" in certain shades. If you need instruction check out nature - it all goes togehter.
Marion :
I have a science degree, so art does not come naturally to me. But I hate learning from books! All the good advice I've gotten comes from people interacting with me. What I have learned applies all over. The kitchen I designed for myself 15 years ago was obring but the kitchen I almost have now has gotten rave reviews, and it's not even done yet!
Lesley Anne Morgan :
Although I made my first quilt in 1990, have only really gotten addicted to quilting in last 2 years. I can spend days and days trying to decide on a pattern or specific quilt block, and more days and days on colour before I even start to cut. Sometimes though things just happen and an idea grabs me and I go. I think you have to be careful NOT TO BECOME BRAINWASHED. And trust your gut feelings or instincts more when it comes to colour - I have NEVER seen an ugly quilt - have you????
Lynie :
Yes, I agree. I have been thinking about this lately myself. I think that what new quilters need is basic information and definitions not an enclyopedia. If you are a teacher you will do your students a great favor by telling them that when they see a quilt they like to study it to learn what it is they like about that quilt. Too many times a new quilter will try to reproduce a quilt and not really "make it hers". One of the most interesting comments made about color/fabrics was by Judy Dale, she said "... after you have your guest list of the CPA's (all the "matchy-matchy fabrics) add their outgoing and vivaious wives (high contrast/exciting fabrics). For some reason that really made sense to me!
Gerri :
I have worked in fabric stores for many years and recently in the quilting department of a major chain. I have also taught quilting classes for the past two years. For many of us, using color and feeling confident about it is "second nature." For others it is a really agonizing endeavor. I have literally spent hours helping a customer choose a fabric assortment for a quilt that I could have done for myself in 10 minutes, but that would have been no help to her. (And I have had that experience with many, not just one!) I always include at least a short segment on color selection in the classes that I teach, encouraging students to trust their instincts and to use colors they like. I think the books are an effort to fill a need. I think most people can learn to use color comfortably, but I don't think it comes naturally to everyone!
Elena :
Whoa, that's harsh! I think it's just a fad, or a way to make a buck. Unless they're color blind, quilters have an almost instictive knowledge of color. I must admit I bought a "color confidence" book, but that was only because I wanted to see how she got that glowing look to her quilts.
bellsladyathotmaildotcom :
Yes, I think I agree. I've bought several "color" aiding publications including a color-wheel over the years and found that most of the information was basic definitions and not terribly helpful. The best information I ever got was from watching Simply Quilts where the guest of the day suggested buying fabric by first finding the anchor fabric, a fabric with all the colors you want to have in your quilt and then matching other fabrics to it. Voila! Several years ago I took a bunch of art classes here at UMass and one of the best things I ever got from those classes was to purchase something called "color aid" which is simply paper squares of color. They come in a couple different sizes and include just about any color you can imagine. They've been extremely helpful in finding that elusive perfect color in the fabric store. Whether it's matching to an anchor fabric or to whatever, I can usually find that color within this box of color-aid sheets and then can take that (or those) to the store to find fabric that will match my project. But aids like these aren't necessary to building gorgeous pieced blocks either! Most people have good color sense already and will be drawn to the fabric that "works." These publications do teach the basics of what is color, hue, and value, etc., but little else and they do prey upon our insecurities. I think just using a little care when chosing your colors (don't rush!) and trust your instincts! If you're unsure, tho, bring a quilting buddy along who's color sense you admire to bounce ideas off of. But make sure that whatever you do chose you like, because if you have an entire quilt to make, you want to enjoy handling that fabric! (Most of us will take any excuse to visit a fabric store, right?) And have fun!Judy in MA
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