Quilter’s Color Theory Muscle Building © by Janice Averill

Color Temperature

  •  “Warm” up “cool” colors by adding white to the original color

  •  “Cool” down “warm” colors by adding black to the original color

  •  “Wild Card” colors red-purple & yellow-green fit into both groups of temperature

Value & Grey Scale

  •  Value Mapping creates a plan for location of light and dark elements in your design.

  •  Find the value of your fabric color; convert swatches to black & white or use a color evaluator & a value finder

Visual Texture

  •  By varying the scale of the print, texture is created

  •  The more you see of white, the lighter the value

  •  Prints using high contrast values of one color known as tonal prints

  •  Tonal prints with low contrast values of one color known as blended prints or blenders

  •  Balance busy prints with tonal and blender fabrics

  •  Choose an appropriate size block for the scale of the print

Color Harmony

  •  All colors go together & Combinations are endless

  •  To narrow the choices use established color schemes to form a palette

  •  Unless the palette is monochromatic, try to have one dominate hue along with its tints, tones or shades

  •  Pick key/dominate or focus color and go from there.

Building a Fabric Palette

  •  Make a story board with pictures and/or swatches reflecting your idea

  •  Start with your stash

  •  Pile fabrics together on your work table

  •  Add more choices before taking away any previous ones

  •  Collect swatches in an inexpensive spiral bound book

  •  Visit fabric stores to add more choices to your palette

  •  Do not stop until the choices are perfect.

Building a Diverse Stash

  •  Focus shop hop purchases on filling in the holes in your stash

  •  Buy extra yardage of colors you need to complete a project

  •  Ask family members to buy you fabric as a gift

  •  Vacation souvenir purchases

  •  Swap fabric with guild members or quilting friends

Color Theory Exploration

  •  Confetti Quilts by Mary Mashuta: A No Fuss Approach to Color, Fabric and Design

  •  Simply Seminole by Dorthy Hanisko: Techniques & Designs in Quilt Making

  •  Circle Play by Reynola Pakusich: Simple Designs for Fabulous Fabrics

  •  Jenny Beyer’s Color Confidence for Quilters

  •  Optical Illusions for Quilters by Karen Combs

  •  Strips ‘n Curves by Louisa Smith

  •  Simply Dynamic Sampler Quilts by Marianne Hatton

  •  Color Play by Joen Wolfrom: Easy Steps to Imaginative Color in Quilts

    Cross Training Exercises for Developing Your Color Muscles

  •  Coloring Books & Coloring Book Apps

  •  Electric Quilt Design Software

  •  Fractal Apps; XaoS fractal zoomer - https://sourceforge.net/projects/xaos/

  •  Kaleidoscope Apps; Kaleider - http://kaleider.en.softonic.com/

Iris Quilts & Dyed Fabrics

https://www.janiceaverill.com. irisquilts_dyedfabrics@yahoo.com