Selecting Fabric

Selecting fabric is a very personal choice. I have a group of fabrics for my sampler class with Frances and I needed to choose some background-esque fabric to go with the Four Patches for my Double Four patch block. These are large blocks and I don’t normally work in this size, so I found it challenging.

I fell back on Lorraine Torrence‘s old adage: Make Visual Decisions Visually. That is the best advice I have EVER gotten in quiltmaking. Go take a class from Lorraine and buy her books. She is awesome.

Plain Jane
Plain Jane

I liked the bold graphic-ness of this print, but thought it might be too large.

Cherries
Cherries

I thought for sure this would work, but the cherries felt too scattered. They need to be hemmed in a little.

 

Bliss
Bliss

Something in the color was off with this print. The aqua in the Bliss print is more green while the small flowered print is more on the turquoise side.

Plain Jane (smaller flowers)
Plain Jane (smaller flowers)

This is the same print as the first one, but the flowers are smaller. I like the way you can see more of the flowers. Success!

 

Final
Final

I chose the last print and above is how the finished block looks.

 

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

4 thoughts on “Selecting Fabric”

  1. I agree with all of your assessments on this. I have to say that often I know something’s wrong but I can’t entirely put my finger on what’s wrong with it. Is that “making visual decisions visually” or is it “going with your gut?” Hmmm…

    1. If you can’t put your finger on what is wrong, you have keep trying other fabrics, in this case, until the right one comes along. In the fabrics I showed, I knew something was wrong, but wasn’t quite sure what it was until I saw the small/med daisies and knew that was right. When I went back to write the post, I had a little more insight as well. If you find a solution, even if you don’t know the problem, then go with your gut. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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