Sunday, January 15, 2012

Help choosing colors

Some of my quilting buddies have a mental block when it comes to deciding on colors for their quilts.
One simple way, I have explained to them, is to look at yarns with multiple colors. The decisions have already been made for you. All you have to do is match your fabrics to the yarn colors.
See below:


 This is my third batch of Log Cabin blocks I have made. The last two batches were in black/white.

 This quilt will be for one of my Grand daughters. I have two with March birthdays. One of them is on my birthday and the other is on my brother's birthday. March is a busy month here in our family.

I keep detailed notes. But then I have to re-read the notes and seem to not understand what I have written. What I am attempting to do is to quantify the amount of fabric needed. Be it strips or yardage.

 Here are two rounds done. I am loving the blue and white combination. It looks so fresh and clean and so totally different from my preferred color pallet.


On the wall and obviously the last round fabric has not been pressed yet.

 And when I tire of sewing in the living room I can move to the cutting room and make some more gray paper string blocks. The grays that are out now are soooo beautiful! I want them all!!

 Once again, cutting for scrappy can also be controlled by keeping like cuts together.


 I made 100 Birds in the Air units with pink wings. These are the same units but using neutral wings.

 They are much more subtle in color but I am sure they will look great in whatever I end up piecing.
I have decided to just make lots of pink units and then see what comes of them. No plans just units.

Snow and I am keeping my critters fed well. The green feeder on the right is squirrel proof. So I add the really expensive seed to that one. The other feeders are easy for the squirrels to rob. I also give them raw peanuts and peanut butter sandwiches. No they are not spoiled at all!

12 comments:

Wonky Girl said...

Thanks for sharing some great tips. I enjoy your blog cuz you share the process. I like to see finished quilts but it adds to the experience when stages of quilt making are shared.

Elaine Adair said...

Squirrel proof feeder? Please tell me, does it work? and if so, what is the brand name???

In summer, our squirrels come ON the screen door and peek in to watch for us, waiting for their handout! They will be in the attic if we don't dissuade them.

sao said...

Thanks for the on choosing colors, Subee. I love your log cabin quilts.....and it was fun to see your snow too!

sao in Midlothian, VA

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

You are so smart. (Except for the part about feeding the squirrels!) Just teasing... I have a time with those furry varmints though. Arrggh! Your color tip is brilliant, thanks for sharing!!

Leeann said...

Lucky squirrels but I'm sure they give you a lot of entertainment for the food! We don't have squirrels here in New Zealand, but I do feed the birds

regan said...

Love that log cabin....the colors are beautiful (but not my usual palette either).

And those greys are gorgeous....love grey!

Anonymous said...

Love the yarn tip! Your log cabin is so pretty!

Rhonda said...

Love the yarn for choosing colors Sue. And I LOVE the quilt your doing with those colors too.
Another idea is to go get old wall paper books. They have great color combo's in them as well.
Thanks for sharing your idea.

Janet O. said...

I never would have thought to choose colors from yarn, but they do have some lovely color combos. Great idea.
You are so productive, it makes me tired thinking about it.
Beautiful log cabin blocks, and I will be curious to see what you create with your pink "units".

Sarah said...

Your March is a lot like our January. I was born on my Granmother's Bday (17th, 59 year difference) and my brother was born 3 years and 2 days later.

Interestingly enough I have not had any birds or squirrels yet this year, even with the snow this past weekend. I'm ok w/out squirrels but I miss my birds...

Anonymous said...

great idea, otherwise tell them to pick on fabric they really like and choose the colours from that

Kath Garvey said...

You have a great blog, I love you tip on using a ball of wool to help choose colours. Brilliant !!!