Make Modern Two-Color Quilt Patterns

I’m sharing ideas to make modern two-color quilt patterns using color and design. With a few simple color theory tips and rule-stretchers, let’s shake up conventional two-color thinking.

Key Takeaways

• Definition of two color quilts
• Learn how design principles and elements transform two color quilt patterns.
• Understand color hacks using hue, saturation, value, and temperature
• 10 ways to tweak traditional two color quilt patterns into modern ones.

The Two-Color MODERN Quilt Pattern Equation

Two-color quilt patterns are more than an easy color scheme: they are timeless and modern at the same time. Make one now and chances are you’ll still love it later.

Traditionally, most two-color quilt patterns are designed with one or two-block repeats. Repeating the colors and shapes creates an easy harmony – the ultimate “IT Factor” in quilts. No wonder we love them so.

Free two-color quilt patterns from Moda

Traditional two-color quilt patterns lean on tried and true design principles and elements for their appeal, like repetition, negative space, pattern, scale, contrast, shape and color. We can’t NOT like them!

Modern quilters use the same design tenets but combine them differently.

For example, we may:

• use large-scale blocks
• emphasize negative space with contrasting colors and changes in value
• create bold geometric prints
• limit color palettes
• design with fewer blocks or use abstract shapes for a minimal look
• combine unusual colors by changing values, saturation and temperature.

Next, I’ll show you how each one impacts two-color quilt designs in real life.

SCALE and Negative space

Negative space and two-color quilts are meant to be together, forever. Make your first modern quilt a two-color homage to negative space!

First, let’s look at how large scale blocks emphasize negative space all on their own.

In the blue and white quilt below, large scale blocks (24 inches, baby!) give negative space equal billing. I love how the colors alternate between the blocks. The block’s scale feels modern but the design is traditional.

This Moda Classics 2 pattern is made of many shapes in one block: square, triangle, and chevron. Lines going in every direction give the design movement. I’ll never tire of stars and triangles in this beginner-friendly classic. Make this free pattern with fantastic instructions and a photo tutorial. Thank you, Moda!

A traditional two color quilt shouts out the shapes while a modern one may mumble jumble the colors inside the shapes, like Pam’s Hexy Plus version in teal and browns.

PATTERN, BOLD GEOMETry, Unusual COLOR and Negative Space

What we see first sets our expectations. In the quilt below, you see rows of pickle green and white. Right?

Or is it white then pickle green? Either way, color in a large-scale pattern ping pongs between the shapes because the positive and negative spaces appear nearly equal. (Note: this is entirely subjective to the viewer). Again, large-scale blocks feel modern while made with a traditional pattern.

We see the bright, bold hues first, then the negative space shifts our view to the lighter value. The juxtaposition of color and shape is what delights us most. Even when we’re expecting it. Negative space, you’re amazing.

What did you see first? The Kona’s Wasabi color or white?

Are you drawn to the pattern repetition with bold geometry? The unusual Wasabi green or the shifting negative space. The design principles and elements are making harmony!

Stitching and NEgative Space

The negative space in two-color quilts, often the lighter value hue, is a great place to show off quilting stitches. Modern stitching is often a simple straight stitched pattern that amplifies and echoes the shapes in a modern two color quilt.

The Art of Contrast: Choosing a Perfectly Modern Pair

As you can see, color is a big deal in modern two color quilts. Color is one of the best ways to make it modeer so let’s do a quick color theory review. Stay with me here! Understanding the natures of hue, saturation, value, and temperature will give you more color confidence.

Hue is the purest form of a color on the color wheel, while saturation represents how much of the hue is in a color. Here’s an analogy: think of dark brown coffee as the most saturated color and a little coffee with your cream as the least saturated. Every color in between is determined by saturation.

The value of a color — its lightness or darkness — establishes contrast and depth, making your quilt pattern stand out in different ways.

Temperature adds another layer of nuance – meaning how warm or cool a color appears. Think of warm colors like fiery reds and sunny yellows contrasting with cool blues and blue-greens. Some colors appear to be both warm and cool, but let’s keep it simple for now.

Try out a quilters color wheel to play with color schemes for quilts. It gives me a place to play with combinations and a method to nail down my fabrics selections.

TWO COLOR QUILT PATTERNS – color schemes

Complementary colors create big drama – like this purple and yellow Scrappy Whirligig triangle block quilt. Using complementary colors is one of the most commonly used color schemes. It’s set in gridded rows but you never know it! Scrappy blocks and color gradations make this two color quilt look like modern improv construction when it’s actually freezer paper pieced.

Analogous colors, side by side on the color wheel create interesting, harmonious pairs. Move over to the secondary color next door and technically, you’ve made a two-color palette. Even better, the color gradations offer stunning blended effects while the lighter values define the shapes. Even though these colors are very close on the wheel, the value makes it work in a two-color quilt.

You’ll discover many unique schemes using a quilters color wheel – it’s the coolest tool.

Playful Color Theory HACKS

Modern two-color quilts aren’t limited to one color plus white. I’ll show you how to play with color theory hacks to make color the star of your quilt.

I’m usually all in for super bright colors. One our members, Erin A. paired her bright bestie beautifully in her Solstice quilt version below. Erin made this work by using her grays and black as the “other color”. The quilt is still dramatic but with the jets cooled down!

Traditional MEETS Modern: Reimagined Two Color Quilt Patterns

Classic Red and White Quilt Patterns

I wish I could make a red and white quilt every year. These quilts are loved for their striking visual impact. Red and white is THE classic contrast that shows crisp precision in geometric blocks and highlights shapes.

Reimagined modern: Mix it up by varying the the number of reds used. Choose reds with varied saturation, value and temperature like I did in the Courthouse Steps log cabin quilt.

GREEN AND WHITE QUILT PATTERNS

No doubt, you’ve seen an Celtic or Irish theme quilt with interwoven chains and knots. Here’s a fascinating free two-color quilt pattern by Moda with beautiful color gradations. i’m not a green fan but I love this pattern – any color pair would be a home run.

Full disclosure: Green is not easy for me which is why I’m not a big fan, Yet, I fell in love with Kona’s Wasabi color and flagrantly used it in quilts for quite awhile. Still love you, Wasabi, always will.

Blue and White Quilt Patterns

This is a my version of a modern two color quilt pattern. Scale and asymmetry are big design elements in this quilt. Color and value took it even further. See how the negative and positive sections shift?

I always offer two-color preset options in my block of the month programs with gradations and contrasting values. Look at this Solstice BOM pop with both, made by a Make Modern Triangles member.

The Sparkler BOM quilt has two pre-set colorways: blue and white, and a patriotic version with red and blue.

Vickiedy at Sewspicious makes inspired modern two-color quilts. Mercado is the newest release in her shop quilt in blue and white. So thoroughly modern.

Another fun one is the Fancy Blue Squares quilt by Pieces Quilt Shop on Etsy. It makes me smile.

Scandinavian RED and WHITE QUilt Patterns

Scandinavian quilt designs are like two-color STOP signs: you must stop and make one immediately. These designs feature minimalism and functionality which are key elements of Scandinavian decor.

Scandinavian patterns have a long shelf life with simple patterns using traditional blocks. Unless there is a looming Rococo revival I don’t know about – they fit almost anyone’s decor for years to come. OR convince you to decorate like a Scandinavian. Lo and Behold Stitchery offers several two-color quilt patterns, including this traditional red and white two color beauty Knitted Star.

Make Modern Triangles member Shayne P. made a modern triangle Cosmos BOM quilt in Kona’s red Crush cotton and black. We expected red and white – we got WOW instead!

Cosmos BOM by Shayne P.

Black and White Patterns

Please don’t ding me on this one! It’s my almost two-color version of Courthouse Steps – I couldn’t resist a pip of pink. Black and white quilt patterns are in your face in a good way with strong geometric shapes and huge contrast. They prove that simplicity can be both bold and beautiful.

Two color improv quilt by Rebecca Bryan

Squares and Half Square Triangles in Two Color Quilt Patterns

The most basic quilt blocks are squares, followed closely by half square triangles (HSTs). If you can sew strips, squares and HSTs, you’ll love two color quilts from stars to Irish Chain quilts. The Cirrus quilt, designed by Homemade Emily Jane, is made with half square triangles. Huge contrast, big blocks, and subtle texture with gradations. A two-color trifecta of modern goodness!

Two-Color Quilts for Every Occasion

Two-color quilts are the easiest gifts to make because you can use their favorite color plus white. Mixing in prints in the same main color adds texture while changing things up and softening edges. Go bold and edgy or soft and sublime.

I like having tried and true patterns ready for any occasion and two color patterns make it easy. One, I have fewer decisions to make. And two, I pick a simple pattern. My motto is keep it simple because I relax when sewing quilts on autopilot while watching a movie.

Free Two-Color Quilt Patterns and More

Check out these free patterns for your next tmodern two-color quilt.

Download free two-color quilt patterns from AllPeopleQuilt. I’m crazy about the yellow and white quilt in the PDF booklet. I’d like to make every SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

You’re ready to go so keep these tips handy below.

7 Tips for One-of-a-Kind Two-Color Quilts

Use these tips to craft a unique two-color quilt:

• Choose a medium value color then shift one or two shades darker for your main color. If I leave my color wheel at home, I tend to play it safe with medium value fabrics. Instead, go darker in the same hue for more contrast, like the navy below. Then, add in medium value colors next door on the color wheel (analogous colors).

• Choose the neutral for the pair from a lighter value color with enough contrast. Again, playing it safe here gives you ho-hum results. Don’t do it! When the quilt is finished, you’ll see the big picture contrast and love it.

• Add texture with prints.

While not a true two color quilt, my daughter’s quilt was made with large scale modern blocks, each in a variety of one color plus white. I used a print mix for colors for texture and interest. Prints are fun surprises in two color quilts.Mod

• Use gradations of two colors. Gradations create interesting patterns and depth. I always use gradations in my block of the month quilts.

• A large-scale geometric quilt makes a big statement. Soften the edges with prints or sharpen them with stark contrast. Go as dark as you can.

• Make ANY two-color quilt pattern minimal by subtracting blocks – this brings the negative space more into play.
• Super-size your quilt blocks and use fewer for a finished quilt. A block size chart will show how many blocks you need.

Fantastic Applique in 2 Colors

Applique is so popular – quilt shows and exhibits have many on display. They are pieces of quilting history and reinterpreted in today’s color-rich fabrics. I especially love reverse applique or negative space applique where the motif is made in white and the background space is a color. Makes me look thrice. The Sophie quilt pattern is that kind of quilt.

Two-Color Quilting Techniques

Tips for Selecting Fabrics

Select fabrics for your two-color quilt is fun. You need fabrics with enough contrast; when you use gradations, it helps to know how to select colors by value. Training our color eyes to really see color takes practice, and for me, a little help from Kona fabric swatches. They are available in a folding booklet – keep it intact or cut them apart to play. Color Schemes for Quilts will help you get a jump start on your color training.

If you’re not used to making quilts with solid fabrics, consider the benefits:

• Solid fabrics are like boot camp for color training. You will learn, learn, learn about color by using solids.
• Colors in solid fabrics are easier to see but a little less forgiving than prints in a quilt. This gently pushes you to train your color eye.
• Solid fabric’s simplicity highlights a quilt pattern’s design. No distractions. All design.
• Quilting shines on solids, which creates tiny shadows and automatic texture and depth.

Free Two-Color Quilt Patterns FROM MODERN MAKERS

• Download free two-color quilt patterns from AllPeopleQuilt. I’m crazy about the yellow and white quilt.
• The QCR (Quick Curve Ruler) Mini Ric Rac quilt pattern is shown in multiple colors, but I’d make a two-color quilt version.
• Download each free Kona Block of the Month pattern. The color choices makes these modern two color quilts so consider unusual color combos.

Free Quilt Pattern: Outshine Pairs Color and Geometry

Outshine, my newest triangle block is a free block pattern with a tutorial. Piece the triangles together to make a stunning quilt.

The blocks are interesting with a gradation color scheme. Try a complementary scheme like yellow and purple for big contrast or two primary colors.

Finished Quilt?

Have you made a two-color quilt? Share your two-color palette in the comments below. We’d love to see it!

As quilters, we often seek to make something that stands out, tells a story or expresses our creativity. Two-color quilts have been standing out for more than a century. It’s amazes me how two colors can do!

BY THE WAY, YOU CAN STILL JOIN Aurora BOM

Introducing the Aurora Block of the Month, an all NEW design for 2024! Colors and shpes create beautiful symmetry in this modern triangle quilt design.  Learn more about making modern triangles with the Aurora BOM and Make Modern Triangles.

MORE RESOURCES

• Rainbow Quilt Designs: 9 Ways to Make Inspired Rainbow Quilts
• Hexagon Quilts Roundup
• Make Modern Two-Color Quilt Patterns
• Aurora Block of the Month
• Quilting Design Wall
• Rainbow Quilt Designs: 9 Ways to Make Inspired Rainbow Quilts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colors should you use in a quilt?

For beginner quilters, using two colors helps you get started quickly without many decisions. Quilters usually use 4 to 12 solid and print colors in a quilt.

What is the most famous quilt pattern?

The Log Cabin block is recognized as the most iconic quilt pattern, epitomizing notions of home, warmth, love, and security for pioneers during their westward expansion.

Can two-color quilts be considered modern?

Quilts featuring two colors have a modern aesthetic when they reinterpret classic patterns through fresh color combinations or include current techniques in the quilting process.