Ask Penny Halgren

Quilt designs and color options are endless! Sometimes it is overwhelming to pick your next project!

To make it easier, there are a few basic design and color principles to understand.

To select a quilt design, decide if there is a particular theme you want to convey. If so, start with that theme and look for a quilt design that fits it. For instance, Turkey in the Straw is definitely an appropriate pattern for a Thanksgiving theme quilt.

If you are not working toward a particular theme, look for a pattern you like that is within your skill range. You may not be ready for a Cathedral quilt yet, but you just might win a quilt show award with your Bear Paw design.

Once you have garnered some quilting experience, alter the quilt patterns a little. Instead of one square, change to two triangles pieced together to form a square. One little change can make a traditional quilt pattern something new and lovely to behold!

Use graph paper to sketch out your quilt block ideas. Make your own templates and – viola – you are a quilt designer.

There is also quilting software out there that allows you to create your own quilt blocks and quilts.

One such program is EQ7 available from electricquilt.com. It allows you to start with a basic template that can be altered for a custom design. You can even upload fabrics into your design to see how the finished product will appear.

Software programs for quilt design like EQ7 also take a lot of guess work out of color choices. When you can load a fabric swatch into the design to see immediately how it will look, there isn’t much left to guess about.

If you don’t have a software program, you can still get an idea of which colors to choose.

Use your color wheel to see which colors work best for your quilt design. Do you want the colors to coordinate or to contrast? Many beautiful looks are being achieved with contrasting fabrics in bold blacks, limes and fuchsias.

If you don’t have a color wheel, try the paint chip strips from your local paint or hardware stores. They also do a great job of grouping paints together in the same color family. Once you have paint chips together, take them to the fabric shop to find fabrics that will work.

Compare them to other paint chip strips for similar shades. It’s a unique way to find your color inspiration instead of getting bogged down between bolts of fabrics.

If you just can’t imagine your colors in the pattern you’ve picked, the best way to find out if you like it or not is to piece one as a sample. Buy just enough fabric to make a block or two.

If you like the finished product, return and buy the required amounts of fabric to finish your quilt project. You can use your sample block as part of your quilt, or make a matching accent pillow from it.

When selecting colors for your quilt projects, keep in mind who your market or recipient will be. You can get away with using trendy bold colors and fabrics in quilts made for trendy bold people.

Tone it down a bit for people with more traditional tastes. If you are preparing to show your craftsmanship in a quilt show, be creative and use the colors and patterns that best show off your skills and your design!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and quilt designs. Quilting has come a long way over the decades. With so many fabric color and print options and the availability of quilt design patterns these days, you should never be at a loss for inspiration!

A Quilt with Traditional colors	A Quilt with Trendy colors

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
Master Quilter