Thursday, March 14, 2024

Color and Quilting 2

 Let's take another look at color.




Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

Last week I shared a couple of tips for picking colors for your quilts. What did you think of My Color tool? I love that it gives you pallets of all kinds to go with the one color you chose. So. Many. Color. Options.

This week I am going to talk about using the different parts of the Color Wheel and how it looks in quilting. Please note. I am NOT a color expert. What I am sharing is just what I have done with my color choices.

For this post I'm using the Color Wheel below. It's my favorite of the two.


Color Wheel Set


Complimentary colors are colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel.




These combinations can really make a pattern pop. I like to draw my patterns on graph paper, then put them into EQ8 (Electric Quilt 8) and color them. I usually put colors in that are complimentary, because they really make it easy to see how the pattern comes together.




In this instance though, it ended up being the color combination I chose for the front cover photo for Gradient Stars. I love it to this day.




Monochromatic colors use one base color and then use different tints and shades of that color. Shades are what you get when you add black to a color. Tints are made from adding white. Note, this photo shows both the complimentary and the monochromatic color options.




This could be an instance where you get to use your favorite color throughout a quilt. This is the monochromatic version of Gradient Stars.




This pattern was released a few years ago and I love how it shows what color can do in one pattern.

Analogous colors are three right next to each other. (Note, this photo shows the Analogous colors; green, yellow and mustard with a complimentary color.




While you may not think analogous colors are something you would work with, I ended up doing so accidentally, they can really work well together. I think they make this modern log cabin pattern, Fall Retreat, pop.




The Foolproof Color Wheel set also shows you the Triadic colors, three colors equidistant from each other on the color wheel.




As well as the Tetradic, four colors equidistant from each other on the color wheel.




With a few bonus wheels as well.




If you would like more help finding color pallets, I just found the Canva Color wheel. This lets you put in one color and then you choose if you want Complimentary, Monochromatic, Analogous, Triadic or Tetradic combinations.

So many color options, so little time!

Go make something extraordinary!

Jen


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Thursday, March 7, 2024

Color And Quilting

 Quilting and color, a topic that can cause anxiety with new quilters.




Confession, it causes anxiety in me as well! I have pulled fabrics for a quilt thinking that they would work well together, only to find that they most definitely did not.


Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.


Have you ever asked these questions:

How do I get the right colors from such an array of choices? How do I know what will work together and what won't? How do I keep the pattern from disappearing when choosing colors? What if I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of learning color theory and strategy (which I think is a good hole to go down when you have the time) and I just need to get this baby/wedding/birthday/graduation quilt done?

There are a few tools that you can use to help you pick out your colors.

1) You can buy kits. While they may seem expensive, you will most likely spend the same amount of money when choosing your own colors, if not more if the colors don't work well together in the end.

2) If you have a Local Quilt Shop (LQS) I highly recommend building a relationship with the owners/employees. They usually have a great eye for color.

3) You can buy fabric bundles.

4) You can use the reliable color wheel. I have these:


Color Wheel Set




Color Harmony Wheel

5) If you use Pinterest you can make a board for Color Inspiration. You can see mine HERE.

6) I found this online tool that let's you put in the color you want to use and then it will generate a color pallet for you! Find it at mycolor.space Don't worry that it asks for the HEX code (the 6 [or more] numbers given to colors), if you click on that button you will be able to pick your color.


I think part of the reason color is so difficult is that, not only are we are surrounded by color, but color can also evoke strong emotions within us. We are pulled towards some colors and pushed away by others. So while we may want the instant gratification of an easy answer (raising my own hand high here), I would definitely encourage quilters to do some color learning. You can find so many YouTube videos out there that do teach color theory and the art of choosing colors. I also found that Domestica has a page with links to seven free color theory tutorials. You can find that HERE.

What have you found to be helpful when choosing colors for your quilts? Share below, I'd love to learn with you!

Go make something extraordinary!

Jen

Did you get my 5 Free Tips for Accurate Piecing yet? I would love to send it to you, sign up HERE!



New to Patterns By Jen?

 

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here!

 

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2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

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Friday, March 1, 2024

2024 March Monthly Color Challenge Block

 Did you need that extra day in February for the Monthly Color Challenge? I was definitely in need of an "extra" day.




Our challenge this month is inspired by tropical fish. Such beauty lays under the water, it's hard not to be inspired.


Photo Credit to Modest Fish


This month our color is red and we look to the Cherry Barb for our inspiration.




From Modest FishCherry Barbs get their name from their vivid red coloring covering their whole body. A peaceful schooling fish, when housed with others like neon tetra and rasboras, it can make for a picturesque community tank.




I love the red of this fish. I bet seeing a flash of red in your tank would be so pretty.




I'm using Benartex's "Burlap" fabric line. I love the texture of the fabric, sooo much.

 

Our featured blogger this month is:

Marlene of KiSSed Quilts

Find her on Instagram

 

Ready for the  block? It's another super simple block that uses 4-patch units.



Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person ðŸ˜‰) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2024MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.



I hope my feed is swimming in red this month!

Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of March! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late to receive the January through March block instructions through email, but you can still sign up to have the April - December Monthly Color Challenge blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your inbox. Sign up HERE.

 

Let's make something Extraordinary!

 

Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?

 

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

 

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2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop

 

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Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.


Thursday, February 1, 2024

2024 February Monthly Color Challenge Block

 Did you get your January block finished? If not, that's ok! We have months, and I have faith in you. For now, let's get a look at our February block!



Our challenge this month is inspired by tropical fish. Such beauty lays under the water, it's hard not to be inspired.



Photo found at ModestFish

This month our color is orange and we look to the Tangerine Discus for our inspiration. (You thought I was going with Clownfish, didn't you? 😉)




From ModestFish Colorful Freshwater Fish: "Named after their disc shaped bodies, discus are available in an array of cool patterns, colors, stripes, spots, or striatations.

This fish has become famous for its bright colorful patterns derived from selective breeding. Common varieties are often pretty shades and intensities of green, red, brown and blue. 

When it comes to choosing a colorful freshwater fish for your aquarium though, discus are not one I would recommend for a beginner.

If you do choose dicus, you’ll need a 55 gallon tank (minimum), filled with lots of live plants, decorations, and open swimming areas. Since this species is a shoaling fish, you should keep a minimum of 3-5 together."


From ModestFish/Discus: "Tangerines are a solid orange color, similar to the creamsicle color that is the base color of pigeon blood discus. There are several color morphs under this heading. I think the prettiest are the ones with bright white markings on their faces and backs."





The older I get the more I love orange and this fish would totally be in my tank. . . if I had one.



I'm using Benartex's "Burlap" fabric line. I love the texture of the fabric, sooo much. **Note, I ended up cutting the dark orange incorrectly, so I had to switch to a different fabric. **

 

Our featured blogger this month is:

Anja of Anja Quilts

Find her on Instagram

 

Ready for the  block? It's a fun block, but definitely requires a little more attention when piecing it together.



Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person ðŸ˜‰) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2024MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.



I hope my feed is swimming in orange this month!

Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of February! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late to receive the January and February block instructions through email, but you can still sign up to have the March - December Monthly Color Challenge blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your inbox. Sign up HERE.

 

Let's make something Extraordinary!

 

Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?

 

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

 

Newsletter sign up

 

2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

 

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

 

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Quilt Studio ~ Ruler Storage

 Today I'm sharing how I like to organize my rulers.




A new studio means a new set up. I don't know about you, but I have to use the space for awhile before I know if I like it or not. To be honest, I'm not sure I'm quite satisfied yet, but I do know I want my rulers ups where I can see them.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

Ruler organization, like pretty much everything in quilting, is so personal. We know what we like and what works for us. Sometimes, though, we need inspiration to find what we do like. That's why I'm sharing today. To help inspire and get those organizational ideas flowing.




I personally love having my rulers up and where I can easily grab them. For a long time in my old studio they were stored in this drawer. Handy because it's my cutting table, but not that handy if I had to dig.





In the following pictures you may note that my peg board is cracked and scratched. Way back when KMart closed I was able to grab a few peg board pieces from their dumpsters. I could paint them, but I'd rather be sewing. You can find peg board in all different sizes to fit your space. Here's an Amazon link with lots of options.




When I was using just a wall I had these hooks for my rulers. It was frustrating though, because the rulers would catch when I pulled them off. I kept that in mind when I was looking for new hooks to use with the peg board. 





I really like these, though I didn't need to order as many as I did. LOL They have just enough of a tilt to them to keep the ruler on , but not so much to make it difficult to take it off and put it back on quickly.




My one issue with these hooks is how hard it was to take them out and move them. Maybe I missed a trick, but my fingers were sore by the end. My advice, do a better job of planning than I did. Ha!




I really needed my ruler area to be restful to my eyes. I moved rulers a lot. It took longer than it should have maybe, but I did find what I liked, and it's actually the first thing I see when I walk in the door to my studio and it makes me smile.




When I did a Pinterest search for quilting supply storage I liked the idea of bins for my peg board as well. I chose these, and I confess, I thought they would be too small. It ends up they are perfect. 




In the cups I have my rotary cutter and scissors, marking tools and sewing tools. These are the sewing tools I use most often, not all of them.




In the squares I have my clothes pins, found in the Target dollar area a few years ago, that I use to mark rows and units. You can keep a lookout for something similar, usually around back to school time, or check these out at The Fat Quarter Shop.




The other square holds a magnetic pin holder. This is my grandma's old holder and her pins. Makes me smile to look at them.




What about those rulers or templates that don't have holes? I was blessed by a wooden ruler holder made by my uncle. I found a similar one here.


Right now this holds my rulers for sewing clothing and my marking/trimming pads. Honestly these might go back in the drawer. I don't like giving up that space at the top of the mat, and I know I will need to move it to cut yardage sooner or later.




I'm really happy with this set up. So happy, I came back in the room a few times after I was done just to look at it and enjoy.

PS Those liquor boxes to the side?




Full of flamingos. Hahahahahaha They will get unpacked someday. If you are ever packing to move, liquor store boxes are perfect. Sturdy and not too big, so you can't overload them.


Bonus ruler tips.

1) Rulers that slip. There are many products that keep your rulers from slipping, but a quick, cheap, easy to find remedy is clear medical tape. It MUST be clear, but it works great to grip the fabric.




2) Write your name on your ruler with a Sharpie and then cover it with a piece of scotch tape to keep it from rubbing off.

3) If you don't have specialty rulers for trimming units like half-square triangles, flying geese, etc, mark the ruler you are using with a sharpie. The marker will wear off eventually or you can color over it with a dry erase marker and wipe off.

4) Rulers will wear down. When you find this has happened, bring it to a place that cuts glass. Have them trim it down 1/2 inch and you have a nice straight edge again.

5) Remember the pattern storage tips in the Bites of PBJ newsletter? Use a binder and sheet protectors to keep the instructions handy for those specialty rulers.

Do you have any helpful tips for ruler usage or storage? Let me know in the comments.

Go make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

 

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

 

Newsletter sign up

 

2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

 

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

 

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.