FARMER’S WIFE : COLOURS
I’ve been thinking really hard about what I wanted to do for a colour palette for my Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt. With so many blocks to make and such a big time commitment, I wanted to settle on a range of colour to create a framework for all the blocks.
I had quite a few ideas. The front runner was a rainbow palette with each block being tonal in just one colour. For instance, three shades of pink, red, purple or yellow. Then I could arrange the blocks in a rainbow gradation in the end. My other idea was solids only. This was completely inspired by how amazing these blocks look. I also considered doing the City Rain palette that was inspired by this photo. My last idea was to do white + one colour. This was inspired by this red and white vintage quilt and this quilt exhibit that I really wish I could have seen in NYC. See some great photos of the exhibit here.
Here’s how I finally decided. I got out all my boxes of fabric and started to pick out fabric for each of those palettes. I knew right away the City Rain palette would be impossible for me for 100+ blocks. It felt too limiting and difficult. The rainbow palette seemed fun and would give me so many options, but I realized that I had more than two boxes full of blue fabric. I really like blue. I also really like the idea of creating a quilt that will have a bit of a traditional feel with the colour but will hopefully also look modern with my fabric choices. I’ll be doing all shades of blue + white.
I feel so good now that I’ve got my colour choice sorted out. Have you decided what colours you’re going to use? Please feel free to post a comment here to tell us what fabrics you’ve chosen, or even a link to a photo or blog post you’ve written about the topic. I can’t wait to see!
14 comments
I love the blue! I think that is a good decision!
Looks good. I’m going to use all the scrap pieces I can which means, unsurprisingly, mine will have large amounts of yellow. Plus whatever else I have in my stash, I vowed not to buy a single piece of fabric for the blocks.
Ooh, love the blue! I am pondering a yellow quilt… maybe with some blue and grey thrown in… but plans may change. 🙂 Looking forward to starting on this!
I am thinking CMYK for a quirky spin on a very traditional quilt or taupe/olive/purple/orange/cream for something a little more subdued.
Would you get all 10 or so yards right off the start or add as you go with the project?
an all blue farmer’s wife is going to look AMAZING. Love it. Especially love all those darker navy and grayish blues.
I love your color choices! I think I’m just going to dig through my scraps and see what I come up with, hoping it’s awesome. I asked for the book for Christmas and I can’t wait to get started with you!
I love all the blues–it will look beautiful! I’m going do all solids because I love the way the blocks come out looking (and I’ve always wanted to do a quilt using solids, so might as well do one in a big way). I’ve been inspired by pictures of farm scenes for the colours: greens, golds and blues with touches of red, purple, grey and a bit of off white. I’m really excited about it. And slightly petrified to take on such a large project.
Maybe purples, I’m still not quite sure. I do love the scrappy look, but I will already be doing some scrappy blocks for a swap starting in January. I love the fabrics you pulled, it’s going to look awesome!! Are you going to have a button for this that I can put on my blog? I hope your having a great day.
January T
Monochromatic is a super cool idea!
That’s what I chose to make a Baby Jane, but in pink: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivie95/4834214552/in/set-72157605067564312
And I made monochromatic blocks for my fw: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivie95/5983910727/in/set-72157605067564312
As you can see, I like to start big sampler quilts, but I never finish them entirely 😉
I hope this helps you to get inspiration!
Very soft and lovely…dreamy if you will. I think it is going to be lovely.
Wow! That looks like fabric heaven! I can’t wait to see your finished quilt : )
I love your colors!! So calming and lovely. Some of my favorite colors ever. I’m excited to see your quilt get put together! I just grabbed things from my stash and am adding as I go, but wish I had put it together like your lovely pictures first! It will be a masterpiece for sure!
p.s. I just discovered your blog today and am so glad I did! I love it. Thank you!
Your color choices are awesome! I’ve only gotten about a dozen blocks completed but really like your choices!