TIPS FOR CHOOSING FABRIC FOR YOUR QUILTS

What’s Nana Making utilizes affiliate programs for monetization, which means when you click on links to various products  that I recommend and make a purchase, this can result in a commission that is credited to this site. Please be sure to read our Privacy Policy

Your fabric choices are what makes the quilt great.  Bland fabric or clashing fabric can turn your gorgeous work into something less than exciting.  I have created some masterpieces that stay hidden in my linen closet because I don’t like the look.  Trust me – after all that work, it can be very disappointing.

So how do you choose your fabric?

The easiest way is to choose a collection that you like.  These collections contain a variety of colors and prints so you are guaranteed your fabrics will coordinate.  

However, many times you find a fabric that you absolutely love that has no coordinating fabric. Or maybe you want to be a bit more creative.  Here are some tips to find that perfect fabric.

Pick your color pallet. 

You can find inspiration online using Pinterest or Instagram.  You can view my pinterest board “quilt colors” for more ideas. 

I also like a website called– Design Seeds. It is an international community who share a passion for nature’s beauty, wanderlust, & discovering inspiration in unexpected captures.

Another way to choose fabric is to find a fabric you love,  pull colors from that.  When making my owl quilt (coming soon) I pulled colors out of the main owl print to create two different color choices.

 

Pick your prints. 

Normally six or more fabrics should be combined.  One large print in two colors,a small print in two colors and two blenders. You could also change the small print to a geometric such as a stripe,dots, plaid, etc.  OR use both for 8 different prints.  Choose at least one light and one dark fabric.

Although this is pretty, there are too many prints.  The florals here are competing with each other.

Here we have replaced some of the floral prints with a geometric (the ivy) and a blender.  Just right!!
I used this selection when making the Simple Squares Vintage Baby Quilt.

Watch your scale!! 

When buying fabric online, suppliers normally indicate how large the sample is.  Some provide a yardstick. Some tell you how big the swatch is.  Others will state the size of one of the items.  For example, large flowers are approximately 4 “.   Extra large scale prints work well in larger quilts.

• 

• 

Looking closely at the ruler, you can tell from the swatch on the left that the bouquet is much too big for 3-4” squares.  But the right one will work.  In fact, it may be too small for larger 8-10”squares.

Always, always, always use high quality quilting cotton. 

When you put tremendous amount of time and effort making your quilt, make it to last.  High quality fabrics will allow a quilt to be washed again and again without signs of wear.

Use a design board. 

Many online quilt shops offer a design board.  Here you can mix and match fabrics, put them together, move them around and see how they work together.  Besides, it’s fun.  Some shops with design boards include:

Connecting threads  – when you find a fabric  you love, click “add to design table”.  A new pop-up will show you all the items you want to compare.

Fabric.com – click on the link, then choose “Design Wall” tab.

No design board.  Use a photo app to create a collage.  

So you picked your fabric – what about the backing?  Check out this post on how to choose the backing fabric.

How do you choose your fabric?  Let me know in the comments below.

By supporting my affiliates, I earn a small commission to keep this website running.