Most of us patchwork quilters would agree that after the pieces are sewn, the layers are quilted, and the binding is bound, one thing can make or break a quilt: the fabric. And for all the fabric we buy, collect, and stack in our sewing spaces (anyone okay with hoard?), sometimes it seems nearly impossible to find the right quilt designs and patterns that’ll inspire us to use the stuff.
The challenge is a common one: it’s easy to get stuck trying to visualize quilt designs and patterns in different colors from the original. You love that pieced leaf motif, but you don’t stash batiks. That antique-y Churn Dash draws you close, but you only stash batiks. You spot a favorite block in a quilt pattern, but the colors featured in the design simply don’t speak to you.
We all want the same thing from the patchwork quilt patterns we accumulate: to be able to create striking, showy quilts with the fabric we have on hand. After all, the fabric is what we fell in love with in the first place! When putting together quilts for the new book Eye-Catching Quilts, the staff at Quiltmaker magazine kept your fabric stashes in mind. They wanted to show you how versatile patchwork quilt designs can be, so they made up their quilts in alternate colorways in almost every case. That way, you can see the flexibility in each design for yourself.
Yes, fabric can take a quilt from simplistic to sensational, from average to amazing. The staff at Quiltmaker curated the patterns in Eye-Catching Quilts to help you see quilts in a new light—no matter what colors, textures, and prints light up your stash. Let’s take a look at how they turn a few of the quilts from the book on their heads!
See all the projects from Eye-Catching Quilts at the bottom of this post.
“Falling Leaves” features batiks in beautiful, traditional autumn colors, while “Autumn Nights” uses traditional prints on a dark background for a subdued, old-fashioned look. Just look at the variety of prints in these blocks!
Choose two colors that you collect often to make this “Raspberry Truffles” quilt—and take a huge bite out of your stash. Pinks and browns make a rich, vibrant combo. An alternate wall quilt, “Breezy Baskets,” goes for a soothing, gentle look with soft blues and greens.
Choose elegant hand-dyed solids to play up the simple design in “Periwinked,” or transform the design with cheerful prints evocative of the 1940s in this “A Date with Yesterday” table runner.
Dig into your fabric stash to make this scrappy “Piece and Goodwill” quilt for the holidays, where dark-green squares run diagonally in one direction across the quilt and red squares run diagonally in the other direction. In the alternate crib quilt, “Pink Lemonade,” the value placement is modified for a completely different look.
While the overall look of this “Perennial Petals” quilt is scrappy, each block has controlled elements, like two green batiks per block. In the variation, bright hand-dyed wools and black flannel add cozy textures and strong contrasts that make each flower pop.
Have you bravely transformed a pattern by changing up the fabrics—or are you more of a color-by-number kind of quilter? Tell us your fabric story in the comments and you could win a copy of the Eye-Catching Quilts eBook! We’ll choose a random winner one week from today and let you know by email if you’ve won. Good luck!
Get Eye-Catching Quilts today and download the eBook instantly for free.
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Thanks to all who entered the drawing! The randomly chosen winner is Norma, who writes:
“Thank you for the chance to win this very interesting book. I usually change the fabric or colors in a pattern for those I like at that time. I try to add new color combinations that I haven’t used before.”
Norma, we’ll email you about your free eBook. Congratulations!
I rarely use the colors in the model. This January I am doing a block of the month through my local quilt store, Country Stitches, in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It will be the first time I do something everyone else is doing the same way everyone else is doing it. At least, that’s what I am PLANNING to do! It is my challenge for 2013–doing something different for me means doing something like everyone else!
—Michelle Harrison on December 13, 2012Initially, I followed the "recipe" amd made quilts as they were pictured in the magazine or pattern. What fun I had when I became more adventurous and realized how unique I could make my work by changing the values and color scheme. My own creativity began to shine through!
—Karen on December 13, 2012I have changed up the colors in a pattern. Thanks for the giveaway!
—Sallie on December 13, 2012LOVE the "All Drezzed Up" quilt! that one is yummy! With your question in mind, I’d be taking that and giving it my own spin. So, yes, I’m a color-changer!
—Jean on December 13, 2012I almost always change the fabric colors in a pattern. I would love to win the book. Thanks for the chance.
—Jenelle Boxberger on December 13, 2012I almost always use different fabrics from the pattern, and only a couple of times it didn’t quite look as I imagined it. But there have been a few patterns that I really liked with the colors used and I had to pretty much use, at least, the same colors.
—Wanda Heath on December 13, 2012I am a batik lover and am trying to collect half yard cuts of various colors and designs. I also collect fall farbics. The fall leaf quilt shown would be awesome in batiks or the fall fabrics. I love them all!
—Karen Schultz on December 13, 2012Sometimes I use the same colors that are in the pattern and sometimes I completely change it. Often it depends what I plan to do with the quilt when it’s finished.
—Terri E on December 13, 2012Normally, I tend to be a color-by-number quilter, but these quilts are gorgeous! I’m ready to jump out of my box and try one!
—Paula Klaassen on December 13, 2012I do a bit of both. It just depends on the pattern and what I have in my stash! Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
—Christine M on December 13, 2012I need this book. I have a stash on steroids since inheriting my sweet sister-in-law’s stash on top of an already out of control one. I’m envisioning may charity quilts in my future.
—Paula on December 13, 2012I’ve only made 1 quilt that matched the pattern in the book exactly & that’s because I happened to have already purchased the charm squares that the author had used. I usually chance the colors/fabrics, or the size of the quilt, or the borders. Thanks for the giveaway.
—Joyce Mitchell on December 13, 2012I have changed the colors quite often because of what colors I want/need or because of what fabrics I have. I have mixed results – sometimes good and other times NOT! I love the Primrose Patch quilt and love those colors, too. Thanks for the chance to win this book; I’d love it.
—LJ on December 13, 2012I gravitate toward the loud and the bright colors, usually with a pop of black somewhere, so, no, i don’t use the fabrics from the pattern… if i buy a kit, i usually end up changing out at least one color also.
—Mary on December 13, 2012There are some great looking designs in this book. I would love to win it!
—Julie in GA on December 13, 2012I rarely make a quilt in the same colors or fabrics as shown in a book or pattern. I love to make the design my own.
I sometimes follow the recipe but I try to branch out go with my favorites at times.
—Ellie on December 13, 2012It really depends on the pattern as to whether I change the colors. Some patterns (such as Christmas and wildlife) lend themselves to specific colors, while others call out for something other than the pattern colors. So, I do it both ways!
—Virginia/AK on December 13, 2012I mostly make up my own patterns. I love to mix it up.
—Jan Prytz on December 13, 2012Thank you for the chance to win this very interesting book. I usually change the fabric or colors in a pattern for those I like at that time. I try to add new color combinations that I haven’t used before.
—Norma on December 13, 2012I buy fabrics I love, that speak to me. But I must have eclectic taste, because none of them go together. This book would really help me out with my big, confusing stash! The book looks like it has great suggestions and examples.
—Melody D. on December 13, 2012I normally don’t change up colors, but usually end up using something similar – for example when a pattern calls for a med yellow, I might use what I consider a pale yellow or if the pattern calls for a print fabric, I might use a solid — it mainly depends on what’s in my stash or what I can find at the local fabric shop.
—Carol Randall on December 13, 2012I, too, LOVE the "All Drezzed Up" quilt – I have plenty of fabrics in my stash that would look great in it.
It is very unusual for me to use the colors shown in a pattern. I make primarily scrappy quilts and I choose what I want to use based on what I have and how I want the project to look. If I have an abundance of blue and want to use some, that’s what will go in the pattern, even if that’s not in the original. It’s my quilt, after all.
—Jeanne in Ohio on December 13, 2012I rarely make a pattern as shown. Especially if I don’t have those exact fabrics. I love my quilting software that gives me a preview of a design when I put in my own fabrics. Then I know whether or not I will be happy.
—gab on December 13, 2012Pink causes an instant gag reflux from me and I’ve always been a person, who went off the beaten path and marched to a different drummer, whether it be in my everyday life or in quilting. It’s rare, I follow a pattern step by step, or (gag) use pink in a quilt. I will admit, I did make a 3 colors of pastel, medium, and hot pink, white, and tiny bits of red quilt for one of my nieces, whose favorite color is pink. My favorite color is green and I love working with autumn colors. I’ve been leaning towards soft light greys instead of white for my quilts and if I ever find a bolt, I like, I’m going to buy it for my stash. I did find one discontinued shade of light grey, but had to settle for the fat quarters, which now number over 100, I’ve collected for my stash. I really love that "Falling Leaves" quilt shown above.
Keep smiling,
—Lynnita Shipman on December 13, 2012I never use the fabrics shown in the pattern picture – I always have at change it up. The closest I came was with a kit, but for that one I had to change the border – the one included in the kit was boring and went on the back!
—Paula on December 13, 2012Very early in my quilting career, I heard the words, "it’s your quilt, you can make it any way you want". I haven’t looked back. Sometimes I use a pattern, most times not, and I can’t remember ever making one "just like" the pattern. Just call me a rebel!
—Claudia on December 13, 2012I usually change up the colors, to suit my stash or buy new so everything goes good together, I mostly use Batiks, love them…
—Debbie on December 13, 2012It depends on the pattern, but usually stick close to the colors uses. Thank you for the great book giveaway!
—Judy Bowes on December 13, 2012I love to make scrappy quilts and these patterns are beautiful!
—Tanya on December 13, 2012Please help….I would like to purchase the 1213 that patchwork place quilt calendar..but everything I click on says "error". You are supposed to be offering it at 40% off. Please respond
Hi Connie, sorry, our website was down for awhile yesterday. The calendars were on sale last week; we have a different set of books on sale this week. The "Weekly Wow" sales are only good for one week.
—Connie Ramaglia on December 13, 2012~Cornelia from Martingale
while I am a traditionalist when it comes to quilts… I do love making a wild choice with colors or patterns now and again… and some of those are my favorites…
—lawana whaley on December 13, 2012LOL! I’ve only been quilting for three years, but I don’t think I’ve ever stuck with the pattern for anything that I’ve done yet — even on patterns that I’ve made up for myself! I feel very blessed to come from an artsy/craftsy family whose motto has always seemed to be, "Why not? Let’s give it a try!"
—Meredith Miller on December 13, 2012I usually change the colour choices of the fabric from the pattern, rare is it that I follow a pattern and use the same colours as the designer’s sample. This book looks great and I really hope I win, thanks for the opportunity.
—susan on December 13, 2012I try to use my stash and may just loosely stick to the color suggestions. Thanks for a chance!
—Barb in MI on December 13, 2012Oh, My! Quilt patterns are only a suggestion. So often I make my own sketch of a block and then find it much later and recreate whatever I want out of it. No rule-keeper here.
—Debbie D. Dodd on December 13, 2012Ddd
Most of the time I change out the colors in a quilt pattern! Sometimes that is personal preference, other times it’s because I can no longer find the featured fabric. It’s all good.
—Jane S. on December 13, 2012I’ve only been quilting for about 3 years. Early on, I wasn’t brave enough to change up the colors. I tended to select fabrics pretty closely to what I saw in the photo on the pattern. Maybe that was because I liked what I saw! But over the past year, I’ve been pushing the envelope. I now see the "design" of a pattern and come up with completely different color schemes to suit my moods and the decor of our home or those I’m making a quilt for. I love how the color selections are endless; we are only limited by our creativity. I feel this is the next step in my growth as a passionate quilter! Thank you for the chance to win this book. The patterns are wonderful!
—Susan Mulvihill on December 13, 2012I usually just use fabric I have and use the colors that I like. I rarely make a quilt exactly like a pattern anyway.
—Pam Biswas on December 13, 2012I always change the pattern colours. Alot of patterns are American, and living in Australia you can’t always get the right fabric. Unless you purchase online. So it is more convenient to change up.
—Julie-Ann Searle on December 13, 2012I love to change a quilt to fit my stash on hand. I do use the idea and try to put my own spin and color to the quilts I make.
—Linda C on December 13, 2012Do love the beautiful quilts found in "Eye Catching Quilts". Wish I had time to make each one.
I always change the colors, fabrics and borders. It’s not that I don’t like the origional but that was their quilt and this is MY quilt. It also lets me be more creative and experimental. It also allows my fellow quilters students and quilting friends to be more creative. What fun it is to see the same quilt in different fabrics and colors. Sometimes you would hardly know its the same quilt pattern.
—Cynda Clark on December 13, 2012Definitely not colour by numbers, not many patterns come in red-purple combinations.
—Mistea on December 13, 2012I once changed a Christmas quilt from reds and greens to blues and browns to make it masculine and usable throughout the year. Similarly I used a pattern for a country quilt and lots of bright greens, purples and blues to make a project my own. It is more likely that I will change the colours to match the recipient rather than the design.
I can’t seem to follow anything exactly. Choosing my own fabric is the fun part so I don’t want to leave it to anyone else. Sometimes I fail but it’s always a good experience.
—Patricia Hersl on December 13, 2012I rarely use the same fabric that is in the pattern . I love picking my own colour schemes to match the personalities of the person I am creating the quilt for. My very favourite quilts are scrappy quilts because no two turn out exactly alike. I would love to win the pattern book because I see my considerably stash being used in some of the beautiful designs. Keeping my fingers crossed.
—leslie west on December 13, 2012Sincerely,
Leslie West
I don’t think that I have ever made a quilt that uses the same colors/fabrics as the original. I think that part of the adventure of quiltmaking is using the fabrics and colors you like, not what the designer likes! Years from now, someone is going to say "why the heck are there so many identical quilts" and I want mine to stand out!
—Barb Johnson on December 13, 2012I changed the colors of a pattern for a more stunning quilt than the one the pattern designer pictured. Everyone admired it.
—Nancy Myers on December 13, 2012i most often use colors and combinations of colors from my stash for the pattern i’m making … i do follow light and dark pattern though. thanx for the chance to win this book of pretty patterns.
—ritainalaska on December 13, 2012I’ve designed some quilts, and have made them a few times in different colors. It’s fun to see what happens when you change it! I am not one to follow a designer’s colors, if I can help it. I seldom purchase kits for that reason. Love the idea for this book. Thanks!
—Maryellen on December 13, 2012I change up the fabric colours 99.9% of the time. Now I have the computer design program EQ7 and in that program you can even scan in your own fabrics that you have in your stash (or use their extensive library of fabrics) and take a few seconds to change colours instantly to see what a design will look like. But even before my computer program I was colouring graph paper designs and cutting and pasting. I find it very difficult to follow a pattern or picture and not want to change it up and make it my own!
—Marion on December 13, 2012I love playing with different fabrics and different color combinations.
—lindawwww on December 13, 2012I’m a color changer. Usually it works out fabulously…every once in a while, I have an epic fail
It’s all part of learning… and it never fails…somebody, somewhere, will LOVE what I don’t, so it allows me to pass something on. (Seriously, imagine walking up to a homeless person with a quilt that "just doesn’t do it for you" and watch someone fall in love with it immediately *grin*)
—Karyn Ashley Smith on December 13, 2012I have my stash mostly sorted by color, so when I make a quilt, I often decide on 2 or 3 colors to use, and choose from my stash.
—Robin Maguire on December 13, 2012I tend to change colors so I can use my stash. And I love scrappy quilts.
—Cathy Koester on December 13, 2012I love to do scrap quilts that all that i look for is the value difference. I find that very freeing and totally fun. I alway try to not let the color of the picture or sample be a make or break decision on whether i like a pattern.
—Peggy M on December 13, 2012I always change the fabric, because I want it to have my look and feel…a new book would be great…
—Gloria on December 13, 2012Why would I _ever_ use the colors in a pattern? I prefer blenders over batiks and strong earth tones over neutrals. My local quilt shops are wonderful, helping me coordinate with my focus fabric.
—Lynne on December 13, 2012The colors/fabrics in a pattern are usually what first catch my eye. After I have made a pattern once, I sometimes make it again in another colorway. This sounds like a book I could really use.
—Sharon on December 13, 2012Very challenging and exciting quilts. Thanks for the jolt to my imagination
—sally lansing on December 14, 2012I really like the looks of these quilts – definately keeping my fingers crossed on this one
thanks for a chance to win!
—Laurie on December 14, 2012I found a pattern for quilted place mats in the shape of flowers. The pattern called for various floral fabrics for the petals. I made them in black and white fabrics with a yellow center to coordinate with our daughters kitchen. It really changed the look of the place mats. I usually use the colors that I select when using a quilt pattern.
—Dee on December 14, 2012I usually try to stick close to the fabrics in the pattern but if I’m feeling adventurous I’ll try something new, especially if I find a fabric I love and need a way to use it.
—Pat D on December 14, 2012I have both followed the colors in the pattern and chosen my own. Thanks for the chance to win.
—Beth B on December 14, 2012I saw a Southwestern quilt in a museum and sketched the pattern on a scrap of paper. Later, I recreated the quilt in my own color scheme and instead of sashing I featured the Hopi Indian block in an attic window design.
—Rosalind Gutierrez on December 14, 2012The longer I quilt, it seems, the more I ‘branch out’ and pick something different from what the pattern shows. Maybe it’s just because I have soooooo much more fabric in my stash now, so I usually start ‘shopping’ there, then go to the quilt store to fill in whatever fabrics I need for a pattern. Especially when a pattern is so inspiring that I just can’t wait to get started on it!
—Marilyn on December 14, 2012Don’t think I’ve ever done a quilt in the same colors that are in the pattern. The book looks like it has some fantastic patterns. The falling leaves quilt would be the first one I tackled.
—LeAnne L on December 14, 2012Some of the time I use the colors in the pattern because it’s the colors that attract me. And then there are patterns that are great and I choose my own colors. I have loved batiks from the beginning and use them a lot. The quilts you have shown are just wonderful. My favorite is Falling Leaves, but I would love to make all of them. The colors are so great.
—Marsha Nelson on December 14, 2012I’m a rule breaker when it comes to my quilting and it seems like I can never follow the crowd with any pattern or color. I won’t say it’s a good or a bad thing, it’s just the way it happens and makes me happy!
—Jane on December 14, 2012I also love scrap quilts and with adding the different values and prints to a project usually adds a flow and movement to the project. I truly would love to win this ebook. There are several patterns on my want to make someday just by the teaser you shared in this newsletter.
Thanks for the chance and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I am a new quilter but have mostly changed the fabric colors in the quilts that I have done. I have had pretty good success with the color selections so far and enjoy working that way.
—Margo S. on December 14, 2012Me too! sometimes I am inspired by the quilt in the pattern photo and make something quite similar. But now I am trying to fabric shop from my own stash as often as possible – and that means switching out the colours and values, with some interesting results.
—Colleen on December 14, 2012variety is what makes quilting fun! yes, i change colors!
—mary Numme on December 14, 2012I have difficulty digressing from the colors that cause me to love the sample in the first place. Just recently i had to prepare for a class in less than 30 min. and I HAD to just grab fat quarters from my stash. That exercise showed me I may over think choices because the quilt that came out of the quick grab was wonderful. I NEED the book:)
—Elaine on December 14, 2012Occasionally I’ll choose a pattern just because of the colors and then follow it. But then again, there are so many other color combos that I like that I’ve also change the colors. Thanks for the giveaway.
—Donna B. on December 14, 2012I almost never use the patterns suggested colors…I go more for the pattern that I don’t have to reinvent then do my own thing….sometimes it works; sometimes it does not!!
—Jay on December 14, 2012I am flummoxed by color – I want to do my own thing, but I am also very aware that a little change might have a huge effect on the overall pattern. It is both intriguing and intimidating. Ultimately, I find it most rewarding – albeit frightening – when I branch off and do my own thing.
—so we added chickens on December 14, 2012Changing the colors of a quilt pattern is really hard for me. I am not the best at putting fabrics together so that is why I love to make scrappy quilts. I don’t have to worry about choosing fabrics for a quilt. Someday I would love to take a class on picking fabric and colors. Thanks for the giveaway.
—Renea on December 14, 2012I don’t think I’ve ever used the same colors as the picture. I’ve always figured the pictures are there to show the block and I’m free to choose whatever colors I want. I must be a rebel. Grass doesn’t always have to be green, does it?
—Elizabeth Tallau on December 14, 2012I love quilting…Scrap quilting is the greatest and christmas seems to have plenty of blocks to play with…Colors I try and match, but when making my own blocks I go through my fabrics and divide it all into the color wheel then grab a pile and start cutting…It makes even my own blocks surprising….Have a great Christmas!!!
—Darlene Krystal on December 14, 2012I often change colors in a quilt pattern, maybe changing a light background to a dark one instead.I enjoy the challenge of putting scraps together to make something beautiful
—Carole Cameron on December 15, 2012I saw a really nice crib sized quilt pattern that I wanted to make, but it was in pastels and I decided to do it in brights! MISTAKE! It looked really awful – I took it to my long-arm class and used it to practice on for my first lesson. It is still in my closet, with no binding, so will probably just stay there a few more years!!!!
—Patty Moffitt on December 15, 2012I usually think about making big changes, but in reality chicken out. Thanks for the giveaway.
—laurie on December 15, 2012I always change the colors of the quilts I make! Creativity is fun!
—Loretta Delamare on December 15, 2012I almost always change up the fabrics in a quilt. I only did the pattern just like it was pictured when I first started quilting. I usually look for a pattern by saying "hmmmmm, what would look good in these materials?" then I find one I like, and picture it in what my stash is, then I figure out which one or two fabrics I probably have to buy to say, do the background, or borders. My quilts often dont come out quite as I was picturing them, but that’s the fun of it! Then you have to let it speak to you to decide how to quilt it!
—Madeline on December 15, 2012I always change because I never have the fabrics originally used in the quilt. But, my mother has a keen eye for color so she is my goto person before I cut.
—MarciaW on December 16, 2012I do some of both. Sometimes the examples are so striking that I will make something just about exactly, but more often, it’s fun to play What If? with what I have on hand.
—Lora on December 16, 2012