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Bryan House Quilts

Quickly Generate a Fun, New Palette Using Secret Colors

Palette to Fabric· Playful Color· Playful Color Month

27 Sep

Hi again!

Welcome back to the last day of Playful Color Month! This week I’ve been showing you how to get out of “the fabric box” by using paint to explore color.

Today’s Goal: Today, I’m showing you a demo of one of the painting exercises from my workshop, Playful Color Theory for Quilters.

Secret Colors Exercise – Quickly Generate an Awesome Palette!

This demo was filmed live yesterday in Facebook. (Yah for new tricks!) This is merely my second time hosting a Facebook Live! I’ll be honest, it’s a bit nerve wracking but it’s also fun. It’s also a quick and easy way to show off a skill, at least compared to typing out a blog post or tutorial.

Anyhoo…

Ok, on the video I’m showing the exercise I call “Secret Colors”. The idea is to mix two different colors together in varying degrees to uncover naturally coordinating colors. This is a quick way to let the paint discover the palette. Using this strategy I can save my mental energy for designing and making the quilt.

And this is the fabric pull I came up from my Secret Color color study. What a fun energizing color combo! I love this so method so much! It’s such an easy way to let the paint do the hard work of creating a color palette. The whole routine probably took me 30 minutes from start to fabric pull, which means I have lots of time for quilty fun! Love it!

Resources

If you’d like to explore color with paint, here are some art supplies you might like:

Acrylic Paints

I’m using acrylic paint that is on the expensive side because I have no self control when it comes to art supplies. I’m also including a more affordable option. I like cheap brushes because my kids like to sneak off with those, so no pressure keeping nice brushes, nice. And I love palette paper!

 

Watercolors

I love my watercolors! I use the have the basic Prang watercolors to share with my kids. It’s really a nice set of watercolors for the price. The water brush pens and the watercolor cakes really feel elegant to use and they are packed with color! As for paper, I don’t usually use watercolor paper because it is rather pricey. Instead I stick with Canson Mix Media paper.

   

The Playful Color Month Wrap Up

Today is the last day of Playful Color Month! I’ve had such a wonderful time pouring my color knowledge into these posts to give you a sampling how Playful Color. My goal for you this September has been to move you away from thinking “Color is hard and I can’t do it” to “Color is hard, but I’ve got this.” (I love that gif!)

What do you think? Have you had any “A ha!” moments during Playful Color Month? I’d love to hear from you!

Next Steps

Explore Playful Color with me in my Online Workshop

If you’d like to learn more Playful Color tools and strategies, then your next step should be to join the fall session of my online workshop, Playful Color Theory for Quilters.

Color can be an incredible challenge. In my own work I’ve discovered more than a few tricks and tips, systems and routines, that have made working with color easier and more manageable. My goal in the workshop is to fully equip you with all of my Playful Color Tools and Strategies, so you can play with color in your own creative works.

Registration is now open (newsletter friends, check your latest newsletters for an exclusive coupon!) for the Fall session. Registration will close September 30th. This workshop really is a great resource to learn more about color theory and to add more tools and strategies to your Playful Color Toolbox. I’d love it if you would join our little group in the Fall session.

Schedule of Events

Subscribe to the Playful Color Month Emails

SUBSCRIBE HERE

And to recap, here’s the entire listing of Playful Color Month post. Come back anytime!

Week 1

Tuesday September 4 – My Top 9 Symptoms of Color Trouble – Do you have a problem?

Thursday September 6 – The 2 Root Causes of Color Mistakes

Week 2

Tuesday September 11 – How to use Busy, Loud, but GORGEOUS Prints

Thursday September 13 – How to Mix Fabric Lines for a Custom Look

Week 3

Tuesday September 18 – The Color Secret Artists use to Maximize Creativity

Thursday September 20 – Using the Personal Color Wheel to plan Rainbow Jacks (a new free pattern!)

Week 4

Tuesday September 25 – Why you shouldn’t use fabric to explore color – My favorite color supplies

Thursday September 27 – Quickly Generate a Fun, New Palette Using Secret Colors (You are here!)

Next steps after Playful Color Month

Registration for the Fall Session of Playful Color Theory for Quilters is now open and will close September 30th.

Previous Post: « Why you shouldn’t use fabric to explore color – My favorite color supplies
Next Post: Rainbow Quilts in Italy »

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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.

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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!

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👉 I refuse to spend hours ripping paper bits from 👉 I refuse to spend hours ripping paper bits from my seams from foundation paper piecing. 
👉 I ALWAYS attach the binding to the BACK first. 
👉 MAKE A TEST BLOCK... every single time. 
👉 I make notes on my foundations. 
👉 I make time for myself to be in my sewing room. 
👉 I buy pretty fabrics that make me go “Oooohhh, Aahhh!” 
👉 I don’t do Y seams. 

What would you add to the list? Tell us your quilting secrets in the comments. ⬇️

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
Comment ‘FREEZER’ for my free class to learn this Comment ‘FREEZER’ for my free class to learn this amazing paper piecing technique! 🌟

If your freezer paper is not sticking to your fabric, your iron might not be hot enough. 🔥

But be warned... 👇

You don’t want it to be TOO hot either. 

Use a HOT dry iron, and that should help your freezer paper stick to your fabric! 

The freezer paper needs enough heat to grip the fabric properly.

I also love using a wool pressing mat because it helps hold heat longer and makes the freezer paper stick even better.

When it comes to the quilting techniques, sometimes even a tiny adjustment can make a huge difference. 🙌

Quilters, do you ever struggle with this? Let me know in the comments and drop a ‘FREEZER’ below if you want to take my free class! 💌
Which personality type are you in the quilting gro Which personality type are you in the quilting group? 👀

That’s a part of what makes the Make Modern Triangles Club so much fun. 

We have ALL types of quilters. All ages, all skill levels, some brand-new, and some who have been in the club for years. 🙌

There are always new members joining, new projects started, and plenty of projects being finished and celebrated, too. 

It’s a community full of people who just get all the quirks of being a quilter. ✨

We’d love to have you join us and bring your personlity to the club. Comment ‘CLUB’ for details to join and I’ll send them your way. 💌

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
Comment ‘SUMMIT’ for your free ticket for the Quil Comment ‘SUMMIT’ for your free ticket for the Quilter’s Paradise Summit June 8th - 15th! ✨

One of my favorite things about quilting is how there’s always something new to try.

✨ A new technique.
✨ A new color combination.
✨ A new project that makes you think, “Okay, wait… that’s actually adorable.”

That’s the energy of the Fast-N-Easy Quilters Paradise Summit.

For an entire week, you’ll get to learn from 30 quilting experts sharing projects that are fun, practical, beginner-friendly, and completely inspiring.

Think quilted bookmarks, fabric boxes, mini quilts, coaster sets, bags, placemats, appliqué, freezer paper piecing, and so much more.

Basically… a very good excuse to spend the week sewing! 🪡

And it’s FREE. I’d love for you to join us. Comment ‘SUMMIT’ and I’ll Dm you the link to register. 💌 

#quiltteacher #quiltpattern #quilttop #quiltingtips #quiltingtutorial
Freezer Paper Piecing Tip number ONE! ⬇️ We’re st Freezer Paper Piecing Tip number ONE! ⬇️

We’re starting off strong with one of my absolute favorite things about the freezer paper piecing technique. 

And it’s that you can reuse your foundations!! I’ve had a foundation that I used 20 or more times... 😅

I know it doesn’t seem possible, but this is proof that it is! 

Why make a new foundation for every single block when you just reuse ONE for them all? 

That’s the magic of freezer paper piecing. ✨

Follow along for the rest of my tips that make paper piecing way easier, and comment ‘FREE’ if you want to sign up for my free class! 💌

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
You know what I think a lot of quilters need more You know what I think a lot of quilters need more of? 👇

Small wins. 🧵✨

Not every project has to be a king-sized quilt that takes six months to finish. Sometimes the most joyful sewing happens when you sit down, make something fun in an afternoon, and actually get to enjoy the “ta-da!” moment quickly.

That’s exactly why I’m so excited to be co-hosting the Fast-N-Easy Quilters Paradise Summit this month.

We’ve gathered 30 incredible quilting teachers to share projects that are creative, approachable, and genuinely doable. Think: 

👉 Scrappy projects
👉 Gift-able makes
👉 Home décor
👉 Bags
👉 Coasters
👉 Mini quilts
👉 Freezer paper piecing

And so many techniques you can immediately use in your own sewing room. It’s free, it’s online, and it’s packed with inspiration.

It’s like a week-long quilting retreat without leaving your house. 😉

Comment ‘SUMMIT’ to get your free ticket! We kick off next week! 🎟️

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtechniques #quiltingtips #modernquilting
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👉 I refuse to spend hours ripping paper bits from 👉 I refuse to spend hours ripping paper bits from my seams from foundation paper piecing. 
👉 I ALWAYS attach the binding to the BACK first. 
👉 MAKE A TEST BLOCK... every single time. 
👉 I make notes on my foundations. 
👉 I make time for myself to be in my sewing room. 
👉 I buy pretty fabrics that make me go “Oooohhh, Aahhh!” 
👉 I don’t do Y seams. 

What would you add to the list? Tell us your quilting secrets in the comments. ⬇️

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
Comment ‘FREEZER’ for my free class to learn this Comment ‘FREEZER’ for my free class to learn this amazing paper piecing technique! 🌟

If your freezer paper is not sticking to your fabric, your iron might not be hot enough. 🔥

But be warned... 👇

You don’t want it to be TOO hot either. 

Use a HOT dry iron, and that should help your freezer paper stick to your fabric! 

The freezer paper needs enough heat to grip the fabric properly.

I also love using a wool pressing mat because it helps hold heat longer and makes the freezer paper stick even better.

When it comes to the quilting techniques, sometimes even a tiny adjustment can make a huge difference. 🙌

Quilters, do you ever struggle with this? Let me know in the comments and drop a ‘FREEZER’ below if you want to take my free class! 💌
Which personality type are you in the quilting gro Which personality type are you in the quilting group? 👀

That’s a part of what makes the Make Modern Triangles Club so much fun. 

We have ALL types of quilters. All ages, all skill levels, some brand-new, and some who have been in the club for years. 🙌

There are always new members joining, new projects started, and plenty of projects being finished and celebrated, too. 

It’s a community full of people who just get all the quirks of being a quilter. ✨

We’d love to have you join us and bring your personlity to the club. Comment ‘CLUB’ for details to join and I’ll send them your way. 💌

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
Comment ‘SUMMIT’ for your free ticket for the Quil Comment ‘SUMMIT’ for your free ticket for the Quilter’s Paradise Summit June 8th - 15th! ✨

One of my favorite things about quilting is how there’s always something new to try.

✨ A new technique.
✨ A new color combination.
✨ A new project that makes you think, “Okay, wait… that’s actually adorable.”

That’s the energy of the Fast-N-Easy Quilters Paradise Summit.

For an entire week, you’ll get to learn from 30 quilting experts sharing projects that are fun, practical, beginner-friendly, and completely inspiring.

Think quilted bookmarks, fabric boxes, mini quilts, coaster sets, bags, placemats, appliqué, freezer paper piecing, and so much more.

Basically… a very good excuse to spend the week sewing! 🪡

And it’s FREE. I’d love for you to join us. Comment ‘SUMMIT’ and I’ll Dm you the link to register. 💌 

#quiltteacher #quiltpattern #quilttop #quiltingtips #quiltingtutorial
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