OVERVIEW | fabric guide
Choosing fabric for a project
can be the most fun or the most
challenging part of the design
process. We have created some
tips for choosing fabric and thread
colors that will hopefully make this
process fun and easy! We decided to
and birds but the choice is yours!
The Quilting Method
As you know, quilts have a number of different fabrics in
them and usually follow a theme. We love fat quarter bundles
and jelly roll strip packs because they give a sample of
several coordinating fabrics to choose from for your quilt.
Start with a fat quarter bundle, then choose a coordinating
solid fabric for the quilt backgrounds. Use fat quarter bundles
to choose your threads by pulling colors that match the
fabric. Use this color theme to choose the thread colors for
all of the designs you are embroidering on the quilt. This way,
whichever design or fabrics you choose, all of the fabrics
and threads will coordinate perfectly giving you a beautiful,
cohesive quilt design.
The Trim Method
Have you ever tried to buy trim to coordinate with a
project after you have already embroidered it? It is almost
impossible. However, if you buy the trim first, then use the
trim to choose coordinating thread colors, the resulting
design will match perfectly. This process works great for
embroidered towels and tea towels.
Color Story Method
Choosing fabric for one project is hard enough, but how
do you choose fabrics for multiple projects that all need to
coordinate? Always start with a neutral color as your base
since the embroidery will stand out better on a solid fabric.
Then choose 3-5 coordinating prints. Don’t be afraid of busy
prints, just use those fabrics sparingly. Make sure all of your
thread colors match your fabrics, but don’t pick too many
different colors of thread or the theme will be lost. Once you
have your color story, use those colors for all of your projects.
The Fabric Method
You can use fabric to choose thread colors for your designs.
Simply choose a beautiful piece of fabric then match the
thread colors to the colors of the fabric. This method works
great on both embroidery and quilting designs. If you think
about it, this makes perfect sense. Fabric is designed by
experienced color artists. So, let those experienced color
artists help you. Using this method, the fabric used as part of
your project or appliqué will have perfectly matched colors.
For those of you who love appliqué, this technique works
two-fold. By using fabric to choose your colors, the thread
colors will pleasantly blend with the fabric and the
design itself.
Victorian Christmas Quilt | Special Edition | 23