HOW TO USE A COLOR WHEEL IN QUILTING | Using a color wheel to select fabrics for quilting

How to use a color wheel in Quilting, or how to choose colors for your quilt and using a color wheel to select fabrics for quilting. So many quilters and sewists find selecting fabric combinations for projects or blocks to be really difficult. We hear the advice ,"use the color wheel," all the time. But what does that actually mean? I've seen a lot of videos explaining the color theory behind using the color wheel as a tool, but little practical application on how to ACTUALLY USE IT WHEN PICKING FABRICS.
In this video, I'm going to share a basic explanation about how the wheel works, and then I'll show some fabric pairings and discuss why or why not they work or don't work. This is a pretty big topic, so consider this something to get your creative wheels turning.
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**Enjoy to these links to products you might like. They are affiliate links which means I can earn a small commission on these or other items you might purchase. It costs you nothing extra, but the commission really helps support the work on the channel, so thank you!
Take this mini color wheel to the fabric store with you: shrsl.com/3858k
Make color mixing easy with fat quarter bundles: shrsl.com/3858p
A fun book to use experimenting with color: shrsl.com/38593
Some things you might like.
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Quilting Rule: shrsl.com/37c3i
Creative Grids 2.5" x 24.5" Quilting Rule: shrsl.com/37c3y
Creative Grids Quilting Square Ruler Set: shrsl.com/37c43
Creative Grids Half-Square 4-in-1 Triangle Ruler: shrsl.com/37c46
My favorite fat quarter bundles: shrsl.com/37c4b
Fun with Panel Prints: shrsl.com/37c4u
Don’t forget the thread: shrsl.com/37c4x
Find your perfect blender: shrsl.com/37c56
I wear this necklace to show my love of sewing: amzn.to/3ASsIsh
Enjoy my Amazon Store! New products always being added! www.amazon.com/shop/pattymacm...
**Disclaimer: Pattymac Makes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - 03:10 Intro to the Color Wheel and how to use the wheel
03:11 - 04:27 Using Complementary colors
04:28 - 05:45 Using Analagous Colors
05:46 - 06:28 Split complementaries
06:29 - 06:57 Triadic colors
06:58 - 12:03 Pairing fabric using color wheel principles
12:04 - 13:27 Fabric and color pairings that don't work well together
13:28 - 16:07 How I paired analagous color fabrics for a real project
16:08 - 18:50 How I use pinterest and Apartment Therapy for color inspiration
18:51 - 20:20 An exercise for you to use at home to use the color wheel
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Great channel all about color: • COLOR THEORY BASICS: U...
How I use the selvage to pick coordinating fabrics: • How to pick fabric col...
Hey Makers!
I’m Patty of Pattymac Makes, and welcome to My Channel! Once you fall in love with handmade, it becomes a lifestyle. Enjoy educational videos on quilting, sewing and baking as well as fun videos made about my real life. Enjoy being creative explore new crafts and techniques.
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[@carolmorgano7158]

Great explanation on the colour wheel , it is so overwhelming picking fabrics thank you 👍👏🥰🌸🇦🇺

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you Carol!! It is a challenge!! I do hope it helps!

[@karenburns507]

My mom just made a lap quilt using purple, yellow and orange. That in my head was a horrible combination but the quilt is stunning. I absolutely love it. Thanks for your tutorial!

[@PattymacMakes]

Isn't it crazy how these color work so well!

[@dobbiejoyner8110]

Thank You so very much. I’ve struggled badly with choosing fabrics for quilt projects. I’ve bought fabric and didn’t know how to put patterns together. I’ve learned so much from your video . A big thank you! Count me as a subscriber .

[@PattymacMakes]

You're welcome Dobbie!! I'm really happy it helped! I'm going to do more discussions like this, because I've heard from so many people on it. Thanks for subbing and leaving a kind message.

[@MultiRusty50]

This is the best tutorial on the colourwheel I have seen. Many thanks

[@PattymacMakes]

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much. It's a basic overview but I think that's important to get started.

[@MultiRusty50]

@@PattymacMakes I found it very helpful when you put different fabric together and showed what matched and what did not. Thank you so much. 😀

[@PattymacMakes]

@@MultiRusty50 thank you for that feedback!

[@BexfromTexas]

The last time I studied the color wheel was when I was a hair colorist. So it was really interesting to revisit the wheel for quilting. 😊

[@PattymacMakes]

It's super interesting to use for selecting fabrics but also to look at a print and see what color decisions the designer made.

[@stitchpenniesofficial]

Really great video, Pattymac. Well organized and very well explained - colour theory is my weakest link, your video helps quite a lot! 😊

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you!! It's a pretty high level concept to explain, so my goal is to break it down to more manageable bites. It can get confusing and over whelming so fast. And there is a difference in mixing pigment and picking fabrics, and generally the color wheel videos I've watched seem more focused on mixing pigment. Which is not a fault or criticism, just the usual way it's explained. I think it helps to see the examples with the fabrics we actually use. And I hope that offering examples of how to use it in a practical application helps viewers to find ways to do their own experimentation at home. Let yourself play with your stash and see what you come up with!

[@wilycat5290]

With the analogous colors, we can use white/light, black/dark or some color that is opposite to make the colors pop...🤔 This is a great color wheel tutorial....a good reminder that it is a tool we can use to select fabrics. Thank you 😊

[@PattymacMakes]

YES!! using more than one neutral is a good way to add some depth to your design!

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Such a wonderful explanation! Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you so much Brenda! That means so much coming from you!

[@GrandmaD2024]

Thank you! 👏👏👏 I was so excited to see this come up today.

[@PattymacMakes]

You're welcome Annette! I hope you find it helpful!

[@gran2585]

Thank you!! Great explanation of the color wheel and how to use it. Using the cards to isolate colors was a very helpful idea.

[@PattymacMakes]

You're welcome! I am so happy it explained some things! Isolating using the cards really helps me to see what I'm doing. I have since found a new color wheel I purchased and it's easier to use. I'll share it in an upcoming video.

[@barbarastraley6168]

Thank you Patty for the clear explanation of the color wheel. Pulling the fabrics to demonstrate the different types of color schemes was especially helpful. I’ve read a little about color theory but never really gave it much thought, just put together what appealed to me. You can bet I will be going through my stash to play with different combinations and see where they fall on the color wheel and learning some more. Appreciate your sharing!❤️

[@PattymacMakes]

That's great to hear Barbara! Looking at the wheel is simple but the application can be a challenge. Which is why I showed a few samples. Letting yourself play in your stash is the best way to practice and see if you come up with unexpected combinations.

[@Methelinhill]

Very useful tutorial...thank you.

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you so much!! I'll have more on this topic coming up.

[@TheJAG1357]

Great video. Thank you for the excellent explanations!!

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you for watching and taking time to leave a kind comment!

[@marygeorge9688]

This was very helpful. I seem to pick colors that are too matchy matchy and the blocks just don’t shine. Thank you!

[@PattymacMakes]

I'm really happy it helped Mary! Picking opposites on the wheel really helps! It will feel strange, but trust the process. Also having a balance of light and dark is really important. Without enough contrast, the block won't show it's design as well.

[@luannbriggs1917]

Patty I'm so glad you do this video for the color wheel!...Always wanted to learn...You gave so much info! great video :))

[@PattymacMakes]

Thanks LuAnn! It's a pretty helpful place to start with a new project. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

Excellent tutorial!!!!!!!

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you!! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@lindascott6968]

Very useful. Thanks.

[@PattymacMakes]

I'm really glad it helped, Linda!

[@rochestermanagementservice6082]

I'm not an artist by training, Patty. Using a color wheel helped me understand why I liked certain color combinations, as well as what colors I could add to a design to give it punch. Thanks for this review. I look forward to learning more through your Pinterest site and future informative videos. I love your teaching style, Patty. I learn from examples of why THIS works and why THAT doesn't. Very helpful for me. TFS. Hugs from Cheryl in AZ

[@PattymacMakes]

Thanks for that feedback Cheryl!! I will definitely share more about this in future videos. I think it's a valuable exercise to talk about why things work as much why they don't. Sometimes seeing what doesn't work if more helpful. I think anyway. Also, watching tv shows and movies with a lot of color is a good way to see how art directors and costumers put fabric together. Mrs. Maisel on Amazon is an incredible show for many reasons. Watching it just for the costuming is a worthwhile exercise in color theory AND fabulous sewing and design. I admit it's my current favorite show. I can watch it over and over and over and watch it for different reasons each time.

[@rochestermanagementservice6082]

@@PattymacMakes Good points, all. 😊 Thanks for raising my level of awareness. I'll stay looking at design elements ---especially color--- in a variety places. Cheryl

[@lynette.]

You have shown just how simple the colour wheel is.

[@PattymacMakes]

It's one of those things that's really simple and really complicated at the same time! LOL But I think presenting it from a high level over view with a couple of practical examples is the best way to get people thinking about color relationships and how to mix and match fabrics in their own stash collections.

[@susanfriemel9492]

Another great content video! Thanks ☺️. What kind of planner do you have that has a color wheel? Like to get one for the New Year!

[@PattymacMakes]

That was in the Creative Notions planner they sent me, so if you are also looking for a quilting planner to go with your wheel it's a nice book. I found another one that provides a bit more info I've since ordered and I'll show that to you in a future video. I did link to some resources in the description box that you might find helpful!

[@cyndipryce9323]

Patty, in this video, you were referring to the color wheel that was in some type of journal. Is that available somewhere online that can be purchased.

[@PattymacMakes]

The journal was sent to me from Creative Notions last year, but I've since bought a stand alone color wheel that I've linked in the description. It has more options and I'll share it in an upcoming video.

[@MsRitay]

Patty loved the video was wondering where you got that colour wheel page from

[@PattymacMakes]

That wheel was in the planner sent to me by Creative Notions, but I have linked to some different versions in the description. I invested in one I really like and I'll share that sometime soon!

[@TheHellsHobbit]

Great explanation. Where can I find that color wheel sheet? It is basic to teach my autistic granddaughter without overloading her

[@PattymacMakes]

That particular color wheel was in a quilt planner I had sent to me. But you can find color wheels on Amazon. I've since filming this found a more detailed version I've been using and really love. There is a link to a small one in the description on the video. But you might try searching amazon for something appropriate to your grand daughter. It can get to be a LOT of information pretty fast.

[@karijohnson6542]

Very informative! Where did your calendar/planner come from?

[@PattymacMakes]

The planner is from Creative Notions. I'm not sure if they have an updated version, but you could use it for planning projects and for block ideas regardless of the year. She has a subscription and sent me monthly packages for a while. I couldn't keep up with so many unboxings from just one vendor so I had to suspend the shipments. Very nice to work with and cute fabrics if you're interested in a subscription.

[@karijohnson6542]

@@PattymacMakes Thanks, Patty! I found it and bought it-$5!! The 2022 version is $30-ish, but the only pic was of the cover and I’m not spending that much with no idea of what I’m getting!