Start your quilt projects with must-have color tools for quilters and finish with beautiful results.
I’ve experimented with many color tools because I dearly wanted to master color. Today, I’m sharing my top must-have color tools for quilters.
Choosing colors and fabrics can be fun but the process can be stressful when you lack color confidence.
For some quilters choosing a color palette is their favorite part of quilting. That’s not me!
Sound familiar? Emergency quilt shop visit for a different fabric? Oh man, I’ve been there. There. And there.
Those color palettes don’t pick themselves! Unless you buy a kit or bundle with coordinating fabric. Or your quilter friend volunteers to do it.
I often love a pattern’s design but prefer color schemes I create myself.
I’ve heard the sighs and sighed my own. Someone asks for a quilt in a color you don’t use often. (WOULD. NEVER. USE.) Create a color palette around this color?
Color tools to the rescue!
Must-Have Color Tools for Color MuddlerS
I’ve been a color muddler – someone who struggles with color – with color palettes, quilts, thread, you name it! I wanted to feel confident about color, not unsure or disappointed with a quilt.
I enjoy the sewing part of quilting best. Struggling over color and fabric choices isn’t fun. “Wasn’t I excited about this project before right now?”
Color doesn’t have to hard.
Playing with the color tools taught me more about color in every quilt. Color became easier because I trusted the tools and saw the results.
MUST-HAVE Color tools are shortcuts
Color tools for quilters offer handy shortcuts which help you become a color master.
A color master? Yup.
I know color mastery sounds like a lofty goal.
Quilters want to master color. They often cite color as their greatest challenge in quilting.
Play time and practice with color tools was the best way for me to master color. I know it will help you master color, too. Learning about a color tool in a playful way is fun and stress-free. There is no such thing as an error – you get another turn!
You can start playing right now: Download my free color swatch card here.
Wait…what about color theory?
Full disclosure: I’ve read a lot about color. However, I only really learned color theory in real life by playing with color tools. Reading helped me gather information but it was no substitute for playing with colors.
RATHER WATCH THIS LESSON?
I made this video for you!
Be sure to check out my must-have color tools list with links below.
MUST-HAVE COLOR TOOLS FOR QUILTERS LIST
Color chips
I use Kona Color Chips by Robert Kaufman. These small fabric swatches are named and numbered and arranged in a folding packet. I cut apart the packet to make the chips
Any brand will do – they all work the same way. Or simply use paint chips from the hardware store.
Color chip organizers
Quilters like their containers almost as much as their tools! Organize your color chips by color.
Are you an innie or an outie organizer? Outies like everything displayed as if they live in a quilt shop. Innies want drawers and closed cabinets. Check out more ideas for storing color chips for innies and outies here on this blog post.
Color wheel
This gem is the first color wheel I invested in – the Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool by quilter Joen Wolfrom. Take this small (8 x 4 inches) but powerful tool with you to the quilt shop. Learn more about its cool features.
A color wheel usually includes the tints and shades. Some two-sided wheels have tones (colors mixed with gray). The more the better on my color wheel.
You may even want more than one type of color wheel. They have different features such as a value scale from white to black and guides to identify color schemes.
Who loves their color wheels like I do?!
Value finder
Find one here or use the black and white filter on your smartphone. Using the value finder is a quick way to compare fabric values. Hover over the fabric to cancel out the color to focus on the light, medium and dark values.
Solid-colored fabrics
Working with color without the distraction of prints can be super helpful. Prints can be an added hurdle when you’re focusing on color. I’m (mostly) a solids girl.
Many manufacturers offer a solids collection with gorgeous colors.
I totally get the fascination with prints (I’ve got my share!) On the other hand, if you are an all-prints-all-the-time girl, using prints is fine from the start.
Yellow orange or orange yellow?
How handy are color tools, especially a color wheel? You don’t have to memorize colors because the color wheel will know for you. Color is relational, meaning that it changes based on the colors around it. Your color wheel isn’t fooled one bit!
GET STARTED WITH MUST-HAVE COLOR TOOLS
Starting a quilt with the right color tools makes your sew time easier and enjoyable. Using the tools is when the magic happens!
Try a Modern Triangle in MY “Scrappy Whirligig” class
Don’t miss my free tutorial and pattern featuring an incredibly versatile modern triangle block called Scrappy Whirligig. Make your first modern triangle block and turn it into a colorful stars quilt.
Beginner quilters, too! This is a great project to gain quilting experience.
Click here to take the free triangle class.
