Choosing Fabric for the Mod Sampler Quilt

I have no foolproof formula for picking out fabrics.  I just encourage you to know what you like and seek that out.  I suspect that part of the reason people have trouble choosing fabric is a lack of confidence.  Most of us make decisions about colors and prints all the time.  We decide what clothes to wear and how to decorate our homes.  If you're feeling overwhelmed by your fabric options, stop to consider what you like.  What colors have you painted your home?  Do you wear mostly solid colors or prints?  Know what you like and, if you're not finding it, look somewhere else.  Nobody wants to spend hours working on a quilt with fabrics they don't really like!

The Mod Sampler is based on six pairs of fabric (12 total fabrics).  It will be most successful when six of the twelve fabrics (so half of each pair) share a particular characteristic, while the other six (the other half of each pair) share another.  Ideally, there will be some contrast between the two halves.  Some examples are: light/dark, color/neutral, warm/cool, print/solid, and multicolored print/monochrome print.

I've put together several groups of fabric that I think would look good for this project and I'm just going to talk through different ways that I think each could be used. 

This first example is for a monochromatic color scheme using light and dark pinks.  Take a look at the prints I've chosen.  They're all small to mid-sized prints that are color-on-color or color-on-white/ecru.  Notice how there are no sharp angles in any of the prints. Notice also how the solids that I've paired with each print vary.  Some of these pinks are more orange and some are more violet.  This will make for a more interesting composition. 

For the Mod Sampler, I could use the 12 prints (six light and six dark), the 12 solids (six light and six dark) or any six solids with any six prints.  I would use a white or ecru sashing for this one and, whichever prints or solids I ended up using, I would use two of the lighter choices for the back pieces and one of the darker choices for the binding.

Here's an analogous color scheme using greens and blue with a little bit of yellow.    Instead of dividing these by color (which would be difficult since they're all multicolored prints) I've divided them by type of print.  One group is geometric/tile/scrolly prints and the other if floral/botanical prints.  I've also picked out two sets of solids, one is all blues and one is greens and a couple of yellows. 

The options for this set of fabrics are pretty much the same as for the first group: Use the 12 prints, use six prints with six solids or use the 12 solids together.  I would choose sashing for this one based on how bright I wanted the finished product to be.  If I were looking for a very sharp, bright look, I would go with white.  For a more subdued look, I would choose natural linen or a neutral colored cotton.  Since most of the prints are of similar value, I would probably choose one geometric and one floral for the two back pieces.

Rainbow color schemes are always fun for me.  This one uses six colors and pairs a light and dark value of each.  I've shown an example above of how this can be done with prints or solids.  Of course, you could also pair six prints with six solids, as I've described in some of the examples above.  If I were pairing solids with prints, I think I might go for more contrast by pairing the dark solids with the light prints and vice versa.

A rainbow color scheme would also be a great way to make the scrappy version of this quilt.  You'd just need to gather scraps in six different color groups and make one set of blocks using each color.  If you wanted to keep some uniformity among your scrappy blocks, you could use the same solid for each set of six but use a variety of print fabric scraps on each.

This is another one where I would choose either white or neutral sashing depending upon how bright I wanted things.  For the backing, I would pick two different colors but keep them the same temperature (e.g. pink and orange or blue and violet).  For the binding, I would probably go for "bright but light" like the light yellow or light aqua.

I think the very simplest thing you can do for this project is to focus on two colors that you love.  In this case, I've paired red prints with aqua prints.  Most of the prints are small to medium sized and most of the prints are just red and white or aqua and white.  There are two exceptions (the Flea Market Fancy print with the espresso eyelets and the Lotus Wallflower, which is quite a bit larger than the other prints) but that just helps to keep the composition interesting.  What you want to avoid in a composition like this is adding fabrics that have too many other colors.  Make sure your fabrics read "aqua" and not "aqua with yellow flowers and little ducks" (or something like that). 

I would use white sashing for this one, two of the aqua prints for the backing  and a red print for the sashing.  Note: I would not suggest making binding out of gingham or plaid unless you cut it on the bias.  (The fabric requirements for this quilt contemplate making straight-grain binding.)

I have been hoarding black and white prints for a while now.  I love the way they look with bright colors and I think they could be used with this pattern paired with either bright colored solids or monochromatic bright prints.  I would definitely use white sashing for this one.  The back, I think, is a little trickier.  I would probably end up choosing two of the black and white prints with lots of white background and then using a bright color like chartreuse or hot pink for the binding.

Another easy strategy for this pattern is to buy fabric from a single collection or designer.  This layout uses prints from Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party and Good Folks.  I've again separated them by type of print rather than color and I've selected both a deep and a light set of solids.

This is a set of fabrics where I would definitely not use white or off-white sashing.  If you look at these prints you'll notice that there's almost no white in them.  If I wanted something bright with a lot of contrast, I would choose a solid color like gold, tangerine or teal.  I think a natural/neutral sashing would also look great.

Because I cut most of it up into little patchwork pieces, I don't usuallybuy the larger scale prints from collections like this.  The back of the quilt, however, would be a good place to showcase large-scale coordinates that you haven't used in your patchwork blocks.  (And there's no problem with using those large-scale prints in your blocks!  It's a matter of personal preference.)

Of course, you don't have to use quilting fabric at all!  I'm a big fan of vintage linens and think they would look great in this quilt either alone or paired with some light, bright solids and white sashing.

Comments

[Collette]

Thank you so much. This is amazing information. Showing such concrete examples, along with the great color information yesterday, is so very helpful. I'm pretty much in awe right now! ;-)

[jessica]

I have my fabric ready and waiting! I can't wait to get started...I am really loving this quilt-along so far and I have learned tons (and it's only day three...)

[Mandy]

That Anna Maria palette, the darker set, simply sumptuous, strong contender for #2. Because I'm all set, ready to go this time around. No more eating at the dining table until it's cut!!! Thank you again Elizabeth, this is such fun.

[Alissa]

This whole quilt along is so much fun to read Elizabeth! Amazingly in depth and informative. You have done so much work - it's amazing!

[Erin]

These posts on color and choosing fabrics are amazing! I haven't made a quilt in a long time, and I want to do this quilt-along with you. I have to admit, every time I'm in Joann's I get overwhelmed by all the colors and trying to coordinate them, so this is really helpful!

[WendyLou]

Thank you!! Thank you!! And I agree with Collette -- the specific examples are sooo helpful. Thanks for all your hard work putting this together for us.

[Terriaw]

These are such great examples! I tend to buy heavily within one collection, so I always need more contrasts or white or solid fabrics to contrast. I need to lay out my fabrics again to see if I have the right light to dark prints. I might need to add a few more solids, which would be great. This really is a lot of fun!!! (and much more helpful than the color theory classes I've taken at the local quilt shop)

[cherrie]

This tutorial is amazing. You have gone to so much trouble to explain everything in the greatest detail. A very worthy project and I am sure so many people could do with this type of instruction when they are learning. Cherrie

[Lara]

Wow, thanks Elizabeth! I'm using black/white/red for mine, which is a combination that I've never used much of before. It will be a success or a complete disaster, I think. I've got some black and white geometrics and some of Michael Miller's "You've got the notions" range, so I'm planning on sashing in light grey, bordering in red, and using a couple of large-scale black/white pieces on the back (although I'm not sure which fabrics yet). I'm REALLY looking forward to this challenge!

[Shelly Hannon]

Appreciate your efforts and wealth of knowledge on the color element of design.
Loved the tip on excludidng one color in a multi-colored composition.
Cheers-
Shelly

[Abby]

I'm glad you discussed black and white prints! I've been planning to do that with this quilt and was kind of intimidated when you started talking color. ;) I really do appreciate all the color talk, though! It's definitely a weak area in my quilting!

[LizzyM]

Oh my gosh, this all looks so fab! Is it too late to join in? I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up (I've got a non-napping 8.5 month-old, so...), but I"ll definitely do my best!
Ohhhh... I LOVE the rainbow quilt idea... but maybe I'll do a blue and green quilt instead... been really wanting to do a "cool colors" quilt and this might be the perfect one!

[Sylvia]

Okay bought my fabric today (with some terrific assistance from the quilt shop ladies!) - now do I prewash? and what is your technique to keep them from raveling,twisting etc during washing? Thanks - I'm expecting great results from this as I usually have a very short attention span when it comes to finishing projects but feel this will hold me "accountable" until it's finished! Thanks again for doing this whole tutorial/quilt-along.
Sylvia in VA

[Amy]

Once again, very well done. I think for many of us it's information we know and use often but probably couldn't explain why we do what we do or why something 'works' or doesn't work. Thank you.

[Suzanne]

Ah! Before you even posted this I had already selected some teal/red/white prints to work with! I love it!

[Bekhy]

This post was amazing. I just kept thinking how much work that must have been for you. And I thought the last post was pretty amazing and informative. Thank you very much, I'm following along avidly.

[Jodie]

WOW!! An amazing amount of information. Thank you, thank you.

I wish I would have waited to choose my fabric.

[Jo]

Thanks for all the information - fingers crossed my fabric will arrive on Monday or else I will already be behind the group! Luckily my Monday starts before yours so I might be sorted and ready to go before you post!

[Miss Butterfly]

My bright and colourful fabrics should be shipped to me soon (hopefully !) as I couldn't found anything in France... Can't wait to start this project ...

Thanks again for your crystal clear explanations ...

[wendy]

Wow, you should write a book! You explain things better than most books.

[Ingrid]

I'm actually hoping you'll put this all together in a PDF when you're done. (hint hint!) Thanks so much again for the wealth of information. I've printed out a color wheel, written notes on an index card and I'm off to the quilt shop.

[kirsty]

That's a superb "how to" !! Fantastic :D

[CJ]

is it too late to join in?? This looks amazing! Love your posts on color and supplies.

[Maria]

I want to quilt along also but not to much time on my hands with work and all but hope to do it at my pace if no one minds...I don't think I will be able to catch up with everyone but will try.

[Mandy]

Okay I'm a little late getting around to this. I read the posts every time they went up but just bought my fabric today. I am super excited!!!