• About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Teaching
    • Member/Student Login
    • Online Programs
  • Shop
  • Member/Student Login
  • Blog
    • Free Quilt Patterns – Scrappy Whirligig Quilt

Bryan House Quilts

Choosing Solids {A Work in Progress}

Uncategorized

18 Jun

One of my favorite things about vintage quilts are that they pair a solid with a print within a block. I love that. And I love incorporating the same idea into my quilts.

In talking with Pat Sloan a few weeks ago, I was reminded of my love for pairing solids with a print. This week finds me pairing up a solid with this Anna Maria Horner print from her Folk Song fabric line. (This is for a test block that I’m not quite ready to show. Soon though!)

In matching my solids to prints, I always pull a rough draft selection. You can see my initial pull in this pic. As I was making my final choice, I was struck by how many colors matched. If you would have asked me a few years ago, I would have told you that only one matched – the matchy match one. But this time I can see that more colors match, but they read in different ways.

It's been a long time since I've matched a solid to a print. It's one of my favorite things to do in a quilt. Some of my favorite antique quilts pair a solid with a print. In talking with @quilterpatsloan a few weeks ago, I remembered and here I am choosi

Had I wanted the EXACT match, I would have chosen the pink at the bottom right. The exact match seemed a little too plain Jane for the quilt I’m making – I guess I’m going for a visual KERPOW! This I’m sure is quite debatable, but had I wanted to go softer I might have chosen the soft pink. Sometimes you need a softness to juxtapose against the KERPOW, but not in this block. Maybe I’ll do that later. I think I like to do my KERPOW first. Had I wanted to get a wee bit funky, I would have chosen the really pretty coral toned pink. Maybe I’ll work in a funky block pairing later as well.

I ended up choosing the fabric right above the soft pink.

But now that I’m typing all this out and declaring my assessment of these solids, I wonder if I might should have chosen the brightest pink right at the top. Maybe it was a touch too dark. Hmmmm. Oh well, it’s only fabric.

😉

Previous Post: « Previous Post
Next Post: Halfa Rainbow Pillow {Sizzix Tutorial} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    June 18, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    I think the one you choose and the top pink are very similar in tone and value and would proably have the same impact regardless of which you went with (at least when compared with the other colors here.

    Can't wait to see what you're making! Love the colors! I'd like to see a quilt with ALL of them together.

  2. Heidi says

    June 18, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Call me funky, but I love it with the coral & your idea to bring a bit of it in!

  3. iwan wan says

    June 23, 2015 at 10:10 am

    Sewing friends are wonderful! I don't have any here in the small town where I live, so I connect virtually with quilters through my blog and Instagram. It's great to have so many like-minded friends, even if I've never actually met any of them!

    obat kuat
    obat kuat semarang

  4. Heidi Staples says

    June 25, 2015 at 1:29 am

    I love the thought that goes into choosing fabrics. I need to be doing more of the solid/prints mixing. It really does look fabulous!

  5. Swedish Scrapper says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:32 am

    I agree, that one above the exact match really adds some spice. I winced how it would look with bits of all of them? Confused? Sparkly? I do like that coral best with the print….

  6. Swedish Scrapper says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:32 am

    I agree, that one above the exact match really adds some spice. I winced how it would look with bits of all of them? Confused? Sparkly? I do like that coral best with the print….

  7. Swedish Scrapper says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:32 am

    I agree, that one above the exact match really adds some spice. I winced how it would look with bits of all of them? Confused? Sparkly? I do like that coral best with the print….

Primary Sidebar

New Block of the Month!

Join the 2026 Block of the Month Program

Get my Modern Triangles Quilt Book

Get my Modern Rainbow Quilts Book

Image shows cover of the book "Modern Rainbow Quilts"

Make the Solstice Quilt!

Solstice Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Get Your Invite!

Make Modern Triangles Logo

Make the Sparkler Quilt!

Image Shows Sparkler Quilt Top by Rebecca Bryan

Make the Echo (Echo!) Quilt

Echo BOM now open to join

Make the Wildflower Quilt!

Wildflower Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Make the Stargazer Quilt!

Anne's Stargazer BOM

Make the Rainbow Triangles Quilt!

Rainbow Triangle BOM, modern triangle quilt, Rebecca Bryan

About

Hey there! I’m Rebecca, an author and teacher and freezer paper piecing evangelist. I’m also the founder of the Make Modern Triangles Quilt Club.

Disclosure

Just so you know, my site includes affiliate links from which I (it’s me! Rebecca!) receive payment or compensation. Something to consider as you peruse my website. Thanks!

Latest on Instagram

So I uh... well, you see... inspiration hit, and I So I uh... well, you see... inspiration hit, and I designed and made a new Block of the Month quilt!

I know, I know... crazy?!

TOMORROW, I'll be revealing the design and walking you through the color choices and all that fun "new project planning" stuff!

Behind the scenes, I'm extra excited because I did the quilty math on the rainbow version, and it turns out we can use fat quarters!

A fat quarter-friendly project just makes choosing fabrics so easy! Fat quarters are like potato chips, you can't just have one... you simply collect them. 🧐

So, if you're like me! You probably have quite a collection of fat quarters. 🌈 🥹

I'll be making this new quilt design alongside you, using my collection of Alison Glass fabrics.

This BOM quilt is more challenging than my other BOM quilts, but still totally doable. Of course, the primary technique will be freezer paper piecing, so you can brush up on your skills in my "Scrappy Whirligig" class. Comment 'FREE' to take the class! 💌

I'm so proud of this quilt, and I cannot wait to show it to you! 🤩 If you want first dibs on the new Block of the Month program, comment 'FIRST' to add your name to the "first dibs" wait list, and I'll be sure you are the first to know when sign-ups are open! 🫶

#blockofthemonth #modernquilting #rainbowfabrics #quiltpattern
Mark your calendars... I am revealing a BRAND-NEW Mark your calendars... I am revealing a BRAND-NEW block of the month design on May 1st! 🗓️ ✨

Yes, you read that right! 🙌

I have been working behind the scenes on ANOTHER block of the month pattern, and you’ll finally be able to see it on May 1st! 

And get excited, because this one is completely new and unlike any I have ever released before. I think you’re going to love it. 🤭

👉 Turn on post notifications so you don’t miss the reveal! ✨

#modernquilting #quiltpattern #quiltingdesign #quiltinginspiration
I’ve just recently got all of these quilts back fr I’ve just recently got all of these quilts back from the quilter!!!! 😍

SWIPE to see them all and tell me which one is your favorite in the comments! 💕 👇

#quiltpattern #quiltinspiration #modernquilting #finishedquilt
I think as quilters, we sometimes get really wrapp I think as quilters, we sometimes get really wrapped up in a project or wanting to finish by a certain deadline, that we forget to just play. 🙌

Triangle blocks are especially fun for playing with! 

Because the same exact blocks can look completely different depending on how you arrange them.

All of a sudden, you’re not just following a pattern anymore, you’re creating something unique. 🪄

And I think that’s where a lot of the joy in quilting lives.

Not in getting it “right” or making it perfect, but in letting yourself be curious. 

Letting yourself try something, change it, try something else, and be a little playful instead of precise.

Some of my favorite quilts didn’t come from a perfectly planned layout… 👇

They came from standing at the wall, thinking, “Wait… what if I try it like this instead?” 👀

So if you have a few triangle blocks sitting nearby, take a little time to play with them and see what kind of pattern they end up in. 

Comment ‘TRIANGLE’ if you want to take my free class where I teach you how to make a modern triangle, and give you a block pattern to start sewing. 💕

#modernquilting #quiltingtechnique #quiltingforbeginners #beginnerquilter
This time of year in the sewing room is always so This time of year in the sewing room is always so lovely. 

We FINALLY get to have the windows open, the world outside is getting colorful again, and the extra daylight is a big bonus. 

This is my recipe for a PERFECT April sewing day...

✨ Self care: plan meals/snacks for eating right & getting your exercise (booooooo! I know, I know.) Maybe a fun wee treat tho!?

✨ Entertainment: if it’s just you, get your show/ sporting event/ audible, etc. Or if you’re with your quilty buds, you know what to do! Sew, gab, laugh!

✨ Something you’re excited to sew: latest bingeable project at the ready!? Latest fabric stack that arrived in the post? Or...finally get that WIP d.u.n!

✨ Essential responsibilities taken care of: feed the dog, respond to that time-sensitive email, dinner for the fam? Take care of what you must get done so you can check out more completely.

Finally, set a timer for your hard stop time.

I set my alarm for when I need to pick up my kiddos from school. That way, I can get carried away by my creativity and indulge in “me” time!

Shut the laptop, check out, it’s sew time! 🧵 Everything else on your to-do list can wait. It is time for you!

What are you working on for a perfect April sewing day? ⬇️

#quiltingprogress #quiltinginspiration #quiltpattern #springsewing
If my WIP pile was getting out of control… here’s If my WIP pile was getting out of control… here’s exactly what I’d do: ⬇️

👉 Find a community of quilters to connect with, learn from, and grow with. People who cheer you on, celebrate your blocks, and make you want to keep going!!! 

👉 Make it easier on yourself with freezer paper piecing. This technique completely changed my life. I wanted to give up on quilting altogether at one point before I found freezer paper piecing. 

It’s not that you don’t finish quilts…

It’s that you don’t have the right support or the right process yet. 🧵✨ Comment ‘FREE’ to take my free class, learn the freezer paper piecing technique, and get invited to join an amazing community. 💕

#quiltingcommunity #quiltingclass #quiltingtechnique #quiltinginspiration
Follow on Instagram

Browse by Category

Archives

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • email
So I uh... well, you see... inspiration hit, and I So I uh... well, you see... inspiration hit, and I designed and made a new Block of the Month quilt!

I know, I know... crazy?!

TOMORROW, I'll be revealing the design and walking you through the color choices and all that fun "new project planning" stuff!

Behind the scenes, I'm extra excited because I did the quilty math on the rainbow version, and it turns out we can use fat quarters!

A fat quarter-friendly project just makes choosing fabrics so easy! Fat quarters are like potato chips, you can't just have one... you simply collect them. 🧐

So, if you're like me! You probably have quite a collection of fat quarters. 🌈 🥹

I'll be making this new quilt design alongside you, using my collection of Alison Glass fabrics.

This BOM quilt is more challenging than my other BOM quilts, but still totally doable. Of course, the primary technique will be freezer paper piecing, so you can brush up on your skills in my "Scrappy Whirligig" class. Comment 'FREE' to take the class! 💌

I'm so proud of this quilt, and I cannot wait to show it to you! 🤩 If you want first dibs on the new Block of the Month program, comment 'FIRST' to add your name to the "first dibs" wait list, and I'll be sure you are the first to know when sign-ups are open! 🫶

#blockofthemonth #modernquilting #rainbowfabrics #quiltpattern
Mark your calendars... I am revealing a BRAND-NEW Mark your calendars... I am revealing a BRAND-NEW block of the month design on May 1st! 🗓️ ✨

Yes, you read that right! 🙌

I have been working behind the scenes on ANOTHER block of the month pattern, and you’ll finally be able to see it on May 1st! 

And get excited, because this one is completely new and unlike any I have ever released before. I think you’re going to love it. 🤭

👉 Turn on post notifications so you don’t miss the reveal! ✨

#modernquilting #quiltpattern #quiltingdesign #quiltinginspiration
I’ve just recently got all of these quilts back fr I’ve just recently got all of these quilts back from the quilter!!!! 😍

SWIPE to see them all and tell me which one is your favorite in the comments! 💕 👇

#quiltpattern #quiltinspiration #modernquilting #finishedquilt
I think as quilters, we sometimes get really wrapp I think as quilters, we sometimes get really wrapped up in a project or wanting to finish by a certain deadline, that we forget to just play. 🙌

Triangle blocks are especially fun for playing with! 

Because the same exact blocks can look completely different depending on how you arrange them.

All of a sudden, you’re not just following a pattern anymore, you’re creating something unique. 🪄

And I think that’s where a lot of the joy in quilting lives.

Not in getting it “right” or making it perfect, but in letting yourself be curious. 

Letting yourself try something, change it, try something else, and be a little playful instead of precise.

Some of my favorite quilts didn’t come from a perfectly planned layout… 👇

They came from standing at the wall, thinking, “Wait… what if I try it like this instead?” 👀

So if you have a few triangle blocks sitting nearby, take a little time to play with them and see what kind of pattern they end up in. 

Comment ‘TRIANGLE’ if you want to take my free class where I teach you how to make a modern triangle, and give you a block pattern to start sewing. 💕

#modernquilting #quiltingtechnique #quiltingforbeginners #beginnerquilter
Follow on Instagram
© 2026 Bryan House Quilts