Choose Fabric and Color!
Soft or Bold, Muted or Vivid

Fabric types and colors! There are so many options when choosing your quilt fabric. One of the first things to consider is the type of fabric. Most importantly the type of fabric you choose should be quilt fabric. But why? Think of this analogy: If you want a pair of jeans, you look for a pair that are made of denim. And, if you want a specific pair of jeans, you might shop for a brand like Levi’s. For example, Levi’s has a current collection of baggy mom jeans. But, they also have the classic collection, of the 501. The same idea can be applied to quilting fabric.
There are brand quilting fabrics like Moda, Bella, Tilda, Tula Pink, etc. Each of these brands has a latest collection. Each of these brands has a classic collection of solids, and sometimes dots, stripes.

Textile Art…Well that is a topic for a different blog post. This post is strictly about traditional quilting. By the way, I am in LOVE with using all types of fabrics: jacquard, satin, silk, wool, polyester…

TIPS:

1)Look for fabric that is 100% cotton
2) Look for the category of Quilt Fabric (the weave and weight is specific to quilting)
3) Consider a brand name.

ROME

Anita Cartareccia has a huge selection of top quilt fabric like Moda and Tula Pink just to name a few. I have to say I found her selection to be similar to that in the USA. She really has everything! She has quilt fabric and batting (large selection), wide-back fabric, tools, and even the quilt starch used by many quilters in the USA. Her displayed work of quilts really demonstrates her expertise. Plus, she offers courses. On-line shopping is available. www.lacartareccia.com

Centro Cucito Creativo Barbara’s shop is small but mighty. Her store has a selection of good quality quilt fabric. She is also well versed with the sewing machines, and when I pass by her shop, she is often giving demonstrations. You can also find notions like irons, small ironing boards, thread, and needles. Call to check store hours. www.centrocucitocreativo.com

MILAN

Roberta Di Marchi has a large selection of Tilda Fabric along with other well-known quilt brands. On line shopping is available and products arrive rather timely. (I have never been to her physical store location so I can’t say what it is like.)
www.robertademarchi.com

When choosing fabric colors consider two things.

1) Choose colors because you love it. For me this is always a must. Forget the color wheel. Just go with what you love.
2) Choose colors that will convey a feeling you want.

Ask yourself questions. Do you want calm, bold, vivacious, soft, muted, or harmonizing?

Consider what you want to convey, then choose your fabric colors.

If you would like an example, I often am drawn to blues. To me blues send the vibe of calm, and cozy.
Pink is another color I love. To me it has a message of femine, gentle, and pretty.

The Color Wheel…

Creativity is something I love. To be creative means to be free. I guess that is why I find the color wheel restrictive. Confused?!?! Haha! I mean, it is there to provide guidance. But I think too much time spent studying the color wheel can lead to paralysis and indecision.
That being said, the color wheel can be a great help when one is stuck and in need some inspiration.

Here are helpful ways to use the color wheel.

The color wheel can be used in many different ways. One of the easiest ways to use the color wheel is by selecting harmonizing colors. If you want to make your quilt a little vivacious, try some harmonizing colors and 1 complimentary color.

See the mock up examples below.

Alternatively, you can avoid the color wheel all together and simply choose from a quilt collection. In a collection, all the fabrics coordinate. It takes so much of the guess work out of things.

All you need to do is choose the top 3 fabrics that you like. Look at the example to the right of the Tilda Happy Campers. (Tilda is like a “Levi’s” of quilt fabric and the solids are like the Levi 501 classic jean.) In the photo, the flowered fabrics are of the same collection, Happy Campers. Tilda has coordinating solid quilt fabric and coordinating dots. I know that if I choose one printed fabric by Tilda I can safely choose solids that will coordinate and be of the same weave and weight. The Tilda solids and dots are classics and always coordinate with all of the collections. Amen for collections!!

The point is to have fun when you choose your colors. My best advice is choose what speaks to you.

Questions to ask yourself when you look at the fabric:

Do you feel a slow relaxed exhale?
Do you notice you are smiling?
Do you want to jump for joy?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, then the fabric is for you:)

I send you much joy from Rome!
Rachel