Three ways to use a coloring sheet? You betcha!
Planning a quilt is a fun, creative process: choosing colors, thread, fabrics and quilting designs. Shopping. If you’re putting your own twist on a designer’s pattern, use a coloring sheet like a crystal ball to peer into your quilt’s future!
1. Lose the Error with Playtime
Coloring sheets help quilters take the error out of trial-and-error.
Get your quilt off to a fantastic start with a coloring sheet. Lose the error!
First, play time! Get out your coloring pencils and markers. I like starting off with my latest color crush (magenta at present) and scribbling colors next to each other on the backside of the sheet. (The Procreate app is a digital tool that does the same thing on a tablet or smartphone.)
When a palette emerges, I flip it over and color in the blocks. Trying out colors on the actual quilt design is super helpful instant feedback: Oh no, not that! Yes, THAT!
While the colors aren’t usually exact matches with your pencils or markers, you’ll gaze into your quilt’s future. Less second guessing. Less error.
There are digital apps that work on your smartphone or tablet – just upload the coloring page into the app and start tapping colors into the shapes.
The Procreate app is a popular digital tool that I like to use. Other apps to try include EQ8, DrawPaint, Pigment, Inkscape and Microsoft Paint.
In the video above, I walk you through how to use the ProCreate app.
2. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS WITH A CHEER-Y ON TOP
What’s the cheer-y on top of progress? Celebrating…and COLORING IT IN!
You did it! Cheers!
Lemme tell ya, this is a great way to see your quilt as it sews together – block by block.
3. THree ways to use a coloring sheet – DOODLE YOUR DESIGN IDEAS
Two down out of three ways to use a coloring sheet. The third way to use a coloring sheet is doodling some quilting designs and coming up with a solid plan for quilting the top.
If you mess up or try something new, all you’ve wasted is paper. You could even have it enlarged at a print shop and doodle to scale.
When I’ve finished piecing the top, I can hardly wait to start quilting. I might even do some reckless stitching.
I cannot wait. No time for plans! But this quilt’s fate is in my hands.
I’ve ended up with dense stitchy messes, having guessed at the best solution. If you’ve cried real tears while ripping out tiny stitches, you know what I’m preaching.
Having a solid plan and giving designs a trial run saves so much time and tears. Doing this earns you “The Good Quilter” badge (okay, fictitious badge, but really, there should be one). This third way to use a coloring sheet is super fun, too – badge or no badge.
Then if you give your quilt to a longarm quilter, they’ll have a solid idea of your vision.
Three ways to use a coloring sheet and everything to gain. Often, the simple things – like crayons, pencils and paper – make our best ideas come to life.
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