Colors & Fabrics - How I Choose Each for MY Fall Quilt - Sunset by Julie Popa

[@argyle2061]

“I’m a verbal processor. You may have noticed.” Wink-wink. Loved this.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Amy! I laughed at myself when we watched it in the editing process. 😂

[@magdalenaszarnik6754]

Orange crisis of 2022

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! Right?!? 😂

[@lauracurnan3255]

Loved your show today. I think I do this with most of mine. My stash is a whole room. I can shop in my bins and look for any colors to group together. And it is by far the most fun I have, desides cutting, sewing, binding...you know... its all fun. BTW , I quilt by hand. And that is also the most fun. Have a great day. See you next time.

[@jennjennedington279]

“ and that is also the most fun” I think this too. What I’m doing is the most fun

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Laura! And you have no idea how much joy it gave my husband and me that you referred to the video as a "show!" ❤️🥰❤️ I'm aspiring to quilt by hand but I have not actually done it on a large scale (so far only very small projects like mug rug.) I feel the same for all stages...except the making quilt sandwich (basting) and I think it is just THE WORST.😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

**while choosing fabric**"I love this! look at that gorgeous combination! I cannot wait to cut the pieces!!" **while cutting fabric** "Ooh look how nice and precise that cut is! I can see how perfectly these pieces are going to fit together...I cannot wait to SEW THIS!!" and so on and so on until it is done! The BEST!

[@georgiadabinett6312]

The fall quilt. Yeah!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! Thank you, Georgia! ❤️

[@lindaherrington6291]

Really interesting to watch you choose your colour palette, I find it such a difficult process. For me, the first block was jarring to look at, the second choice is more restful to the eye. Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Linda! ❤️ I do like the second block so much more as well!

[@yvonneparish6007]

😃..... Fondling fabric is the best part of choosing, sorting, shopping, and stash busting .... To create the perfect --- aahhhh 'sigh' just right moment... Let the fun begin ☺️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!? It is so fun! ❤️

[@yvonneparish6007]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I can't start a quilt without it 😁😃

[@donitatoavs]

Thank you for sharing your thought process! I find it so interesting to watch how others go through that process. Can’t wait to see your finished quilt.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Donita!❤️

[@andreaj2015]

I love how you give us your perspective and provide information on how you went through your color choices. My husband watched with me and we appreciate your humor. 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh thank you, Andrea! 🥰 I'm glad you both enjoyed my kooky sense of humor! ❤️

[@barbaraangier9967]

Thank you thank you thank you. I am at exactly this same point in making a fallish quilt. Good learning here. Love these videos where you invite us into your head…….and walk us through your design process ❤️❤️

[@romonaelrod7870]

I love the fabrics that you picked out for your quilt. It is going to be so pretty. The photos that you showed of fall trees and leaves were so beautiful.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Romona! ❤️

[@silver_csmith]

Yes!! Looks much better what you did with it 👍🏻 🍂🍁👌🏻

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Charity, I think so too! ❤️

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

Quite agree. Love your final choices and thought processes. Sometimes I talk to a piece of fabric and say "I love you, but you're not right for this project". One day it'll be a match.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh I love that so much. ❤️ Like the blue that I tried to make work in other projects but it wasn't ready yet! 😊 It's a respect for fabric and using it wisely and well.

[@patburnam434]

Thank you so much for this video. I loved watching the process and listening to you making decisions on which fabrics to use. Very helpful!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh yay! Thank you, Pat! ❤️

[@bethliebman8169]

Love hearing about your mother-daughter collaboration. Thank you for taking us through the process of 'color correcting' your fabrics. I think you have a pretty good understanding of colors and undertones. Liked the after so much better.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Beth! ❤ on all counts! 😘

[@amydement.]

Color gets all the credit but VALUE does all the work. The issues with the first blocks were mostly VALUE issues. Thanks for taking us through your process - I can't wait to see it finished.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Amy! ❤️

[@sewhappysarahr8912]

What an interesting conversation about color and especially about value. When you finally picked the blue linen, I thought "yes!" That is the color I was missing in your combo!

[@reneeshorts8565]

...super fun to watch your process!! found myself agreeing with you out loud on your choices hahaha 🤣...this is going to be lovely!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! I love it! Thank you, Renee! ❤️

[@laurarenda8383]

I love the process! I love being surprised by the color choices, I personally make. All that being said, I love the colors you picked, I love the "blue" Autumn sky that helps you remember cool days of Fall and I can't wait to see the finished quilt. Thank you so much for sharing your process with all of us😍 I'm going to quilt until I lose power today, hurricane Ian on the way😣

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Laura! And yes, that blue! 😍 Have fun quilting today! I hope you don’t lose power or have any damage from the storm! 🙏🏻

[@marshawallace7522]

I probably would have gone with your original choice but after hearing you work through why some weren't working for you, I understand and hopefully have learned to be willing to reevaluate what is "niggling" at me when it doesn't feel quite right. I prefer a more "controlled scrappy" design which is what I think you created by removing and changing some of the fabrics. Thanks for this helpful video❣️

[@doloresnash287]

love the colors you chose! Choosing colors is the most fun for me!! Looking forward to see your finished quilt!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Dolores! ❤️🥰

[@patblood6384]

Absolutely loved watching your process of choosing colors! I have to agree that the sample blocks were just not working for me either! But going through the steps of how you decided on your final colors was very interesting. Can't wait to see the final quilt! For what it's worth (my opinion only 😊😊) I'd go with an off white rather than a bright white for the background.

[@AnitaSouthall]

Yes I agree so many white choices often hard to get the perfect tone.

[@patblood6384]

@@AnitaSouthall I was just thinking that a fall quilt with all the browns, golds, greens etc., would look better against a "beige" like background as opposed to a white like a spring, summer quilt is normally done. .

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Pat, I came to the same conclusion! It's hard to tell in the "after" photo, but I 86'd the white linen and went with a more cream-colored background fabric! So glad you enjoyed watching the process--it's always a risk putting something so subjective (and personal!) out there for others to see! ❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

#Truth

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I wouldn't say the final background is "beige" but definitely more cream than white...for exactly the same reason that you named here. It just needed a warmer-toned background! Great minds! 🤓❤️

[@sheilacarroll7143]

Thank you for sharing the process you used to choose your color palette. 😊🐱🍁🍃

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sheila! ❤️

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

I love your final selection. I agree the blue you selected is much better than the other one.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, DiAnn!🥰❤️

[@marleneo2581]

Thanks for the laughs. It takes me alot of time to choose my colors. Backgrounds particularly, White is nearly never an option.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You're welcome! Glad you laughed!! Interestingly, white is almost always my first and preferred go to! Isn't that interesting how different all our tastes are, and yet we all make beautiful quilts! 🥰

[@birdwatcher1957]

I agree that when you take the pattern into context, the first group of color choices, while lovely fall colors, were just not the right combination to deliver your vision of what Fall is. What an amazing improvement once you had took the time to analyze your range of colors. You do have to be flexible and willing to eliminate a few fabrics and add new ones to the mix, but the result is a quilt that is cohesive with what you envisioned creating. I can see that I need to invest more time in "playing with fabric" and also look at the way color/pattern work with the pattern being used. For myself, deciding which fabrics to use with what pattern is the most difficult aspect of being a quilter. Thank you for giving me some very good tools for making a good quilt even better. Can't wait to see how your fall quilt turns out.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Ellen! ❤️ So many kind words in this comment!🥰 I can get a little tortured trying to work out BOTH the color and the pattern simultaneously...it's hard to "land" on one or either when I'm trying to consider both. But it is also so rewarding when it feels like they come together in a way that is pleasing to me! ❤️

[@susanlusk9584]

How fun! I really enjoyed your talk on color and fabric choices. I love this step, but it takes me forever- it just seems so important! Obviously, it matters a lot to you, too. Love your fresh pattern choices, too.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It definitely means a lot to me! 😂🤓❤️ I want to really love every quilt I make--which may sound crazy, but there's so much time and energy in each one! And thank you so much! 🥰

[@michellenisun6308]

Thank you for showing us your process. I learned a lot from this. Great work!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Michelle! ❤️

[@BlessedBaubles]

Oh my gosh, now you doing just what I do. I examine things to the enth degree and end up picking them to death! Lol. But, like an afghan I recently made, I KNEW that any blocks I made that I didn’t like would bother me for the LIFE of the afghan so I took the enormous amount of time to fix them and I’m so glad I did. I think what you’re doing is choosing much warmer colors. What I’d do is match fabrics to that Fall picture you posted. 🧐 Good on you for knowing about blue undertones etc. I’ll shut up now and watch the rest of the vid.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol, thank you, Cheri! And my husband found the photo and edited it into the video--I didn't actually see it until I reviewed the edit for approval! But if I had had the photo, that is a great suggestion! 😂 And YES, 100% yes to going ahead and "fixing" what I don't like so that I can enjoy the process (and the final quilt) even if it isn't for me! ❤️

[@ragingsmirk68]

In design, remember that odd numbers are better than even numbers. I also use my color wheel for these projects or use a patterned fabric to do the designing for me. Have you tried using your phone and taking a black/white photo of your choices?

[@caitlinmatthews1401]

Another fun, great video. Love seeing your process!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Caitlin!❤️

[@anitajackson8622]

Hi Cathy from Beautiful NC. We are a bit soggy but in one piece. Thank God. What a wonderful show today, as always. Glad I saved it for Saturday morning coffee! My youngest daughter is my colorist too, and I usually run my colors by her. So glad you chose the blue linen for the sky. I don't know oranges too well either, but I love Fall. Keep up the great shows which are informative, funny and entertaining. Big love from a big fan!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Anita, I’m so glad you are safe! Always scary when a big hurricane comes through! 😱 And thank you! Me too…I love that blue linen!❤️ As always, thanks for the super supportive and engaging comment…so glad to have you watching! 🥰

[@patriciaemeigh4370]

Really nice final colors!

[@AnitaSouthall]

My initial reaction was a few too many choices. It now reads better with the best 8. As I was a picture framer in a previous life, colours come more naturally to me. But I'm a super scrappy sewist/quilter. I don't let anyone tell me what's going to work but often seek second opinions to confirm if I got it right. I enjoy your thought process. 😉

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Anita! ❤️🥰

[@lindanonnenmann1112]

My feeling is the stark white background is the offender. Maybe try a softer "color" like ecru, soft gold, or peach. The green pattern stands out because it's more dramatic than the other patterns. Add more plaid??? more pattern?? I just watched the Arnold's Attic video featuring quilt displays from the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. What a great lesson in color combinations, patterns, etc. You're on the right track, "playing around" as you say, with color is the fun part. 😉

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I arrived at that same conclusion, Linda! The first block is white linen (which I also nixed in the process!😂); it's hard to tell in the after photo (because my sewing table is white and reflects the light of the camera) but I ended up with a cream fabric that has a faint cream/white pattern. It definitely is softer in person and works better with the Fall colors! Great minds think alike! ❤️🤓👍🏻

[@KRLCstudio]

You are awesome as always! I can't wait to see your Fall quilt! Mmmmm....it's going to look beautiful!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Aww! Thank you so much!! 🥰❤️

[@jennjennedington279]

Love seeing the before and after together. Just went through this same wrenching process eliminating fabrics that I started with.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It's really hard to believe that the colors that started the whole process to begin with are the ones that really can't stay. I think that's why I got stuck for a bit! As usual, once I was willing to let go (of what I'm clinging to, thinking it's necessary) the rest was easy and I think much more beautiful. Is that not my life, tho?!

[@PaperDiva67]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience with us. There’s a lot of thought that goes into choosing fabrics. Some of it is instinct and that’s hard to verbalize but you really do a great job with that 👍. Sometimes my own love a particular fabric can get in the way so I have to learn to not get too emotional when choosing fabrics!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Adrienne--yes! For example, I also really did get attached to that funky green print...and it could have been replaced for another one, but even still I like it. (and of course I desperately wanted to use the orange linen. Alas.) Thank you for the kind words. It's a risk sharing something so subjective...I never know what sort of comments I might get, so thank you for the compliment! ❤️

[@RobinHarris61]

I love to play with my fabric! I must admit, at the beginning of this video, I was not having good feelings about the blocks you were making! Too busy describes it perfectly! But by the end I could see that your newly chosen colors were gorgeous together! Can't wait to see your quilt!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Robin! That really was kind of the whole point...it just didn't work until I simplified the colorway and found what worked (not only color-wise, but also what I was imagining!) Hopefully everyone watches to the end of the video to see that the final quilt will (hopefully) be beautiful! 🤞🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@klparker76401]

You are so funny! Great video! Thanks for showing the process

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Karen! ❤️

[@patogden856]

Hi Cathy , Pat calling again from nz. So thrilled with this post . I struggle a bit with colours and often end up chucking things together with an exclamation ”o well it is a patchwork quilt “ . Recently did a huge Apple core quilt with that same mind set . “O well it keeps the recipient warm “. Also “o well it is made from scraps “ . But , I can see there is a talent separate from making quilts called colour co ordination . Thanks for your insights . I note your statement that “ it is what you like “ . Not wanting to get too hung up on things but wanting God to be glorified in my efforts . May God’s richest blessings fall upon you and yours . Christian love from Nz

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Pat! ❤️ May God richly bless you as well! As for color coordination--it takes some time and maybe a little effort "training" your eye for what really pairs well together and finding your own preferences. I really like to go to museums and if I see something that is really beautiful or compelling, I think, "What is it about this that I like?!" and the same for art that is really unappealing to me, "What is it about this that puts me off?" If you do that (even in everyday life) it starts awakening that color sense! For example, I really love daffodils---particularly the ones with very white outer petals and very dark orange/yellow inner petals; with the green stems and darker green leaves, it is just so beautiful to me. And it would be so in a quilt as well.😘

[@patogden856]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts amen to that Cathy xxP

[@ladyd54]

Great video showing how to select fabrics for a quilt design. I can see the blue as the background color choice vs white.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Someone else commented that same idea...and I love it! I can see it too! 😍

[@debrat777]

I go through color crisises every time I am getting ready to build a quilt. Thanks for showing your process. 😊

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Debra! Color crisis. It's a thing. 😂

[@jeanetterochnowskis142]

Omg Cathy That was a fun and frustrating to watch video. I caught myself sooo many times yelling at you NOOOOO and then had to laugh at myself because you couldn't hear me. Lol. My very first reaction when you showed the block was Wow I love it but the more you looked at it the more I didn't like it. Couple colors did not sit well with my eye. But in the end we have to remember it's your quilt and you are the only one who has to love it. Final thoughts....loved the fact you swapped out that light blue and the peachy one. Also the puke green. Those were the ones I thought clashed. This video was very fun to watch. Plus you crack me up! Love, love, love the after block. Can't wait to see the finished quilt. Side note...I really do not like orange and browns but absolutely love fall. I cannot wear those colors either. Too funny! Anyway that's enough from me! 🤣

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Jeanette, I can just imagine you reacting to this video! 😂 I’m glad you liked the “after”…trust me, in the end it’s gonna be so pretty! (I hope! 😂🤞🏻🙏🏻❤️)

[@sandrathomas6244]

Enjoyed watching you go through choosing the colors very much.I got to thinking I have not actually watched a video where you go through the color choosing process. Admire your daughter's friend when she said "Nope". And she was right loved the second color choices so much. When I watch TV (it's usually not much) I crack up laughing when they advertise the UnTuck it shirt. I laugh and think Cathy would not like that due to reduced fabric amount. Do you know the advertisement I am talking about?Your neighbor!!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Sandra--I had the same admiration for the eldest's friend too. It takes courage to disagree with a friend! (AND it was the first time we met her! So brave!) I don't actually know that ad, but I'm familiar with UnTuckIt shirts! And yes, good Lord, they streamline the back with seams and darts and it eliminates all that gorgeous extra fabric! 😂😂😂

[@susanrichtarcik5672]

learning a lot about colors from you. Thank you for your video. You are a great inspoiration

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Susan! what a wonderful compliment! 🥰❤️

[@pamelagreen8543]

Beautiful colors, and I love the pattern.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Pamela!❤️

[@stephver]

Beautiful. oh my goodness. I went through this and did not love the combinations I was getting with my current stash. Forgot which pattern but it had to be flying geese… ended up making an orange, orange- red (not red-orange) and white (blue tint) gingham quilt. I learned color theory in college but did not really see it in real life until I sold custom furniture at Crate and Barrel. But with the smaller pieces in quilting, I still seem to get overwhelmed. Green is very hard for me. And Brown. Great video! Can’t wait to see it!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Steph! And I agree, color theory vs color practice (real life!) can feel very different! Green is so hard for me too. So you are not alone!! Thanks again! ❤️

[@chrisbgifford7387]

I love the color choosing of quilting, I could play "colors" all day long. I look forward to seeing it finished. The only combo I worry about is the blue and yellow (complimentary colors). But I gather you ill not pair them, they will ass as ships in the night, so to speak.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I don't know if you stayed for the end to see the "after" block, but the yellow and the blue ended up being separated by green-yellow-orange-red and are on parallel planes so I don't think they ever cross! ❤️

[@karenmeerdink8592]

Loved the three fold Amen!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! Me too! ❤️

[@cindynaglee9060]

Your best video so far!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh wow, thank you Cindy! ❤🥰

[@randommusings48]

What about using the one colour in the block? The colours you have picked works well. I can see a colour fade/gradient quilt once you put it all together.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I’m not sure what you mean with “using the one color in the block?” But thank you!

[@randommusings48]

I photoshopped your fabric choices and used it in the layout.

[@LanaGB05]

Another brilliant video I thank you for, 🍁🍂🍃🌾🍁 I'm on holidays in France and tried to shop for second hand shirts, or any cotton garment for that matter, and they just too expensive. However, I had some luck in the fabric shop by having a dip into the offcuts box, everything was €2 each. Found some nice ochre colours, fuchsia flannel fabric and fuchsia camouflage (😳). I think I'm starting my very own quilt fabric collection. Love from Lana 💖 (it's my British name, instead of the long Russian).

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lana, thank you! Such is the power of suggestion---I had never even considered a Fall quilt until that comment on one of my videos! 🤓❤️ I think it's wonderful that you are starting you very own fabric collection! I mean, who DOESN'T want a whole fabric stash to choose from?!?

[@TheQuiltingLunchLady]

Loved the puke green comment. You have a fun way of looking at things. Puce is really the color name you are looking for for that “lovely” shade of green.😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol, thank you!

[@juliahouse7176]

I don't remember where I learned the concept, but this was a perfect example of sometimes what inspires you doesn't end up in the final project. You could have tried to force that orange fabric to fit, but you realized that it's role wasn't to be the super model walking the catwalk, but the fitting model in the workshop.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

“The fitting model in the workshop” LOVE THAT. ❤

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Thank you

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you for watching!

[@linwillow7344]

Love the process!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Lin!❤

[@bhallmark3390]

Thank you for taking us through your thought process and having a few chuckles along the way! I find this part extremely difficult, probably because I’ve never really learned how to do it properly. Do you plan to retain the white background in your blocks? You didn’t really mention that, and I felt it played a part in the sense of the colors seeming to clash. Looking forward to your next video….❤️Brenda

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Brenda. You are so right about the background! It never even occurred to me to mention it! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I didn’t keep the original background fabric (white linen)…instead I opted for a slightly more cream-colored white that has a faint pattern in it. It’s just enough to not be white but not be too yellow or beige either! 🤓👍🏻❤️

[@bhallmark3390]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts oooooo, I bet that will be perfect!

[@laurazavar]

I have no clue about matching colours and where to start so thanks for this

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It can definitely be daunting! Hope this video was helpful! ❤️

[@marshamackay8745]

❤can’t wait to see the end result

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Marsha! ❤️

[@patriciahomer5342]

I laughed out loud when you said puke green! LOL I guess I thought I was the only one who used that phrase. 😅

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Lol! Right?! 😂 But now I'm curious again...I wonder what is the real name of that color?!🤔

[@sophiastamatis9235]

Looking forward to seeing the first block. Great color choices😊

[@TheToneWork]

It's at the end of the video.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Sophia! I will probably update FB and Instagram before long with my progress! 👍🏻

[@dawnellherrera9338]

I didn't watch this yet, cause we couldn't hook up the Roku at the last place. We're in Tuscaloosa tonight, on our way to various jobs in Tennessee next week. Going to the Birmingham outlet tomorrow, maybe they have their credit card machine fixed now. ***Spiritual waving***

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Think of you on the road...and WAVING BACK! 😘🥰❤️

[@arlenemoore5699]

Very informative, thanks for for sharing! Arlene

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, Arlene! ❤️

[@BlessedBaubles]

Nice to see you keep on going with the vids. You go girl! By they way, when I went thrifting, it was very easy to see if the shirts were 100% cotton or not which is what I was a little worried about so I feel a lot better about that. 👍🏼

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh I'm so glad! And thank you again! ❤️

[@moniqued9715]

Interesting. I have a lot of trouble deciding on color too...Loved your process... I am curious about all the pencil crayons behind your machine though!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I have colored pencils so that I can graph out a colorway for a quilt if I have a hard time visualizing it! 👍🏻 (Plus the colors make me happy!) ❤

[@annblachly8068]

Do you look at your blocks through a red filter? That can help you truly see th offending fabrics. I learned about filters and greatly improved a block for a curved log cabin. I used the red cellophane from a valentine candy box that I put in a lightweight cardboard photo frame. It is large enough to see an entire large block as yours. This shows you the value for lights, mediums and darks. It goes beyond what you relying on color and not values.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I have not ever tried a red filter, but I’m intrigued! I’ll have to give it a try next time! 🤓👍🏻

[@destrygraves]

Puce is the word for puke green. I would have happily used that pattern in Easter pastels. My brain would never have made that pattern work. Maybe a non white background. I still love watching your process.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Destry! I did actually switch out the white for a more cream-colored background and it works much better! But I can TOTALLY see Spring/Easter/pastels (especially with that original white linen!)😍

[@valerievesper9216]

Actually puce is a dark red brown. Though it sure sounds like puke green!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@valerievesper9216 It does, doesn't it?!

[@kathyterrell1547]

Wow, what a difference. I wouldn't have thought blue, but the one you eventually chose was a very lovely combination. I usually work with precuts, and sometimes the combinations just go against my color choices. I guess they eventually work all together, just not what I would put together. I get overwhelmed looking in a fabric store and trying colors together, which is why I gravitate towards precuts, I suppose. Nice final choices. Looking forward to the end product!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Kathy! I think you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed with the vast array of choices of color and prints in the fabric store! I haven't done a "seasonal" quilt until now, and it was interesting to start with a color palette in mind! Maybe that would be helpful for you...start with a season or holiday and then that narrows the field of fabrics considerably so it won't be too much too much? Just a thought. 😘

[@freddiehansen7324]

Love the pattern! And I absolutely get the color crisis! Doing a test block is a great idea. But use the fabrics you intend on using (I made the mistake of using some leftovers and do a mock up and ended up not liking the pattern and then just making it up as I went... and I don't like it. All the blocks have been sitting in it's pile for 6 months. I think if I had made the test block with the right fabrics I might have liked it a lot better. I bet your Fall quilt will turn out gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing it.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you so much, Freddie! ❤️🥰 I can honestly say I've never done a full-fledged test block before...I just had a gut feeling that I might not love it the way I want to! And yes, there is nothing worse than working with fabric that you don't like and being dissatisfied with it. Ugh! But thank you about the Fall quilt! I hope it turns out like I imagine! 🙏🏻🤞🏻

[@hilariebz]

This why crafters need such a large stash! I’m not a quilter - I’m a cloth doll maker- but the principles are the same. I’d like my stash to be organised but it never works out that way as I may need to throw 20 or 30 fabrics on the bed to get the right half dozen. Even then I may need to change things when I start cutting out the body parts as what looks good in a square may not work in arms or legs.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh that is SO true! I hadn’t thought of it that way-but it makes total sense. Even with all the fabric I have, I often don’t have just the right color (or print) to suit a particular project. We also need a big stash of fabric because…fabric! 😂😍🥰🤓

[@glynisreynolds446]

I have loved the way you have reasoned this colour choice problem out 🤔 but I think I’m with the person who said right fabrics but perhaps wrong pattern 🤨 So looking forward to seeing how your quilt comes together and you proving us doubters wrong 😊 🇬🇧

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I guess we’ll see, won’t we? 🤓❤️

[@glynisreynolds446]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts So looking forward to seeing what you do 👍👍😃🇬🇧

[@mareetorrumbarry5155]

Love your colors…even the pumpkin (terracotta?)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you! Oh terracotta is another good orange word! ❤️

[@elizabethcollins8817]

Thank you!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

You're so welcome!👍🏻

[@mariannegarascia3730]

Amazing

[@yelenarud2549]

Thank you for your method! This is a hard time for me, to choose coordinated fabric. I get frustrated, colors that I have, not coordinating with each other, or this is what I think, and I do not want to go to the store to get more.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Yelena, I think it is hard for so many people. And I feel like it's fun and enjoyable (and sometimes I nail it!) but it can be challenging for everyone! Definitely a source of frustration is not having what works and not wanting to have to go the fabric store to find something that works! I think that is why so many people use precut quilt kits! Oh and you're welcome! ❤️

[@kaytiej8311]

6.34 Amen!

[@AvivaHadas]

Repeat after me, "Value does all the work, color gets all the credit." 8 minutes in, I'll hold my (fix) thoughts...

[@kennethwilson708]

It’s your white as your background

[@georgiadabinett6312]

Okay now I don't feel like I'm crazy when I stare at my shirt fabric and cannot find harmonious groupings. Thank you.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!? Sometimes they just don’t seem to go together!

[@ruthchurchwell324]

What is the name of your "pattern

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Sunset by Julie Popa Designs (on Etsy)

[@annblachly8068]

I spoke too soon as I watched. Do try a red filter though.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I will do that…but I definitely use my own eye to start with! It’s worked fairly well so far. 😘 I do appreciate the suggestion tho! ❤️

[@chrisbgifford7387]

My bad yellow and purple are complimentary colors.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

an easy mistake to make!

[@polyesterbebe]

no expert here, but a lot of people say take a black and white picture to see the values(?)

[@polyesterbebe]

guess i should have waited till the end...lol

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Me either! 😂 but that’s why I did that very thing! ❤

[@mamakaka73]

That green looks like "caca d'oie"... goose poop...

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! YES! 😂 True story: when my great grandmother would get into an argument with someone who was besting her verbally (she was smart but not highly educated,) she would say, "Oooooh he's just as green as goose S@#%! Makes me laugh just thinking about it...and even more so because it is such a distinctive green. 😂😂😂

[@AmeliaJaneE]

Right fabrics, wrong pattern.

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

Not the blue….., the darker blue a little better. That quilt demands too many colors…..HA!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I'm guessing you commented and then kept watching to see that I arrived at the same conclusion? 😂❤️

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

Don’t like the blue, the pink. Fall greens, golds, oranges and reds, maybe some browns….

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Yep! 😉

[@DavidGreenspan-v9n]

The Cat Quilting talks two muck get two the point get it

[@stefflcus]

In my opinion, FOR ME (hee!), the white background is part of what makes it feel not-autumn. It might feel very different in person. And the colors that made the cut work splendidly together! I think your instincts were totally right. Less is more in this case, like with writing or poetry. I love all the pretty words, but they have to get pared down to the ones that convey the emotion I want to evoke. The reasoning for the blue sky linen is 🤌 This is gonna be so fun to watch!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Steff! In the end I did go with a more cream-colored background for exactly the reason you named here! Great minds! 🤓❤️

[@stefflcus]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts Oh lawd, I should have read the rest of the comments first, and I would have seen that. Happy fall!