Quilting Color Theory NQC

Quilting Guide
Quilting Color Theory:

How to Choose the Best Colors for Your Quilts
By: Carole Fure
How do you choose colors for your quilts? In this guide, you will learn all
about the basic principles of color theory and how you can practically apply
them to your own quilt work. With simple, easy-to-follow tips, you will be
able to select colors for your quilts that are not only well-balanced and
complementary, but also pleasing to the eye. Turn to the final page of this
guide for your own quilter’s color wheel that you can print off and hang in
your sewing room for everyday inspiration!
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Color is the calling card of the quilt. It is the A bigger problem was that I could not
spark that catches our attention. If the color improve because I did not know what was
is appealing we will move in to take a closer wrong with the color selection. I know that
look. However, if the color is unattractive, we I was not alone, as many quilters find color
walk on by, not noticing the creativity, design, selection challenging. Color, however, is not
and workmanship of the quilt. some mysterious talent bestowed on some,
while others are left lacking. Color skill can
I have made many quilts, some of which I be learned with practice – it is a matter of
did not like because of the colors I chose. training our eye. So let’s get started!
Contrast & Blending

After some time studying
color, I have identified
two guiding principles to
successful color selection in
quilting. They are contrast and
blending.
Principle #1: CONTRAST

Contrast is the relationship
of light to dark and must be
present for the design of the
quilt to come forward. Think of
it this way: If everything were
light, we would be blinded
by the light. And if everything
were dark, we would be left
in the dark. We need both the
light and the dark to see.
This quilt, called “Stepping

Out,” demonstrates the use
of high contrast between the
white and the red which brings
out a strong log cabin design.
NationalQuiltersCircle.com Page 2
dinner party where the personalities

of our friends range from assertive to
compliant. An appropriate balance of
personalities will make a nice party, while
an imbalance can be a rout or a remedy
for insomnia.
Colors work the same way.

Some are more assertive like yellow,
while others are more passive like violet.
“Remembering Charlotte” features a
The following is a rule of thumb for
low contrast Queen Charlotte’s Crown
creating a balanced multi-color quilt:
background of white and light pink fabric.
It also features high contrast with darker • Yellow 8%
figures placed on the light background. • Orange 11%
• Red 17%
Principle #2: BLENDING • Green 17%
Blending is the ability of colors to play • Blue 22%
well together. • Violet 25%
Our first lesson in blending is balance
of color in all-color or multi-color quilts. “Hollow Cubes” (left) is an example
Think of this multi-color quilt as a large of medium contrast. The use of light,
medium, and dark fabrics creates the
three-dimensional hollow cube effect.
This all-color quilt also demonstrates the
use of color balance with violet blocks
out-numbering the yellow blocks.
Lesson: The more often you practice

recognizing these qualities, the better
trained your eye will become. Even if
the answers seem obvious, continue
to practice by asking the following
questions:
• Does the quilt use high, medium or

low contrast?
• Does the multi-color quilt use the
principle of balance?
Tint, Tone, & Shade

A color, such as red, is not just a single As you move across the top, black is
color but has many variations. The chart added to the red, darkening it. These
below shows the relationship of these color changes are known as shades of red,
variations to each other. the darkest being at the far right.
As you move diagonally from upper left

to lower right, gray (mixture of black
and white) is added to the red, dulling
it. These changes are known as tones of
red. The closer you move to the lower left
the lighter the tone and the closer to the
In the upper left hand corner is the pure upper right the darker the tone.
color, let’s say red. As you move down the
left hand column, white is added to the Pictured (lower left) here is a blue/green
red, lightening it. These color changes color variation chart from my color study
are known as tints of red, the lightest tint scrap book. Note how the pure color gets
being at the bottom of the column. lighter as you move down the left hand side
of the page, darker as you move across the
top of the page, and duller as you move
diagonally from upper left to lower right.
Now let’s go back to the dinner party

analogy we discussed in the previous
section. Think of the variations of a single
color as acquaintances. They know each
other, but this does not make them friendly.
For a stunning best friends quilt, the colors
should run smoothly one to the other. This
is known as a sequence of harmony. The
following are examples of smooth color runs:
• Go down the left from pure color to
lightest tint to white
• Go across the top from pure color to
the darkest shade to black
• Go diagonally from pure color to
grayest tone
• Go diagonally from lightest tint to
darkest shade
Here is a close-up of the color sequences of

tint, tone, and shade used in “Northern Lights.”
Note the smooth transition throughout the
color sequence from light to dark.
Here is a monochromatic red series
from my color scrap book. These are Lesson: Try making your own color scrap
subtle differences, but they can make the book including pages for color variation
difference between an “okay” quilt and a study. This may seem like a lot of work now,
WOW quilt. but over time and with a little practice your
eye will become trained to notice subtle
• First column is pure red through differences in color.
tints to white (down left side of color
chart) How to make your own color variation charts:
• Second column is pure red through • Pull out all your fabrics of a single
shades to black (across top of color color. Comparing one fabric to
chart) another, identify which is the most
• Third, fourth, and fifth columns are pure, which are tints, which are
lightest tints of red through tones to shades, and which are tones.
darkest shade of • Cut a 2-inch square from each fabric
red (diagonally from and mock up a color variation page
lower left to upper following my photos as a guide. Are
right of color chart) you missing some color variations to
[insert Color for complete the sequence?
Quilts 2.3] • Suggestion: Cut another 2-inch
square to keep on hand for future
“Northern Lights” color practices.
(left) uses a tint, • Repeat the process through all twelve
tone, and shade colors of the color wheel.
sequence in a
monochromatic Related video:
color scheme.
How to Use a Color Wheel For Quilting
Turn to the end of this guide for your own

printable version of the quilter’s color wheel!
Common Color Schemes

Remember color schemes work because Now if you were to take a pin and stick
the colors are friendly to each other. In the it down through the first page it would
last two sections we discussed two ways to pierce the colors below in the same place
make colors friendly: the use of balance and on the color variation chart. The common
the use of a sequence of harmony. relationship of these colors is their
placement on the color variation chart.
In this section we will look at several very
common quilt color schemes that always
seem to work. By examining them we can
learn why and how they work so that we
might use the principles in our own work.
If you were to place the pin through the

We begin by stacking our color variation pure color square at the top left of the page
charts for all colors one on top of each it would pierce all the pure color squares
other, so that all the pure colors are directly of all the other color variation pages. This
under each other, and all the tints and color scheme is often used in children’s
shades of each color are also directly under quilts when strong pure primary colors
each other. Pictured here are pages from my are favored. Pictured here is a humorous
own color study scrap book. “Maxine” quilt using strong pure colors.
If you were to place the pin through a tint

square on the first page it would pierce
the same tint square on all the other color
variation pages. This scheme is often used
in baby quilts when only pastels are used.
“Feed Sack III” (left) uses tinted reproduction
fabrics against a gray background.
If you were to place the pin through a tone

square on the first page it would pierce the
same tone square on all the other color
variation pages. This scheme is often used
in making country style quilts where the
maker is looking for a dulled-down or worn
look. “Amish Sunday” (lower left) uses tones
to create a country style quilt.
The contrast in these quilts comes from the

colors themselves. Yellow being a lightest
color serves as the light while blue being
the darkest serves as the dark. All the other
colors fall in between, creating a wide
variety of medium values.
Lesson: The more often you work on

recognizing these qualities the better trained
your eye will become. Try the following as
practice:
• Identify quilts that use a common

primary color scheme.
• Identify quilts that use a common tint
color scheme.
• Identify quilts that use a common
tone color scheme.
• Suggestion: Using your 2-inch
practice squares, lay out a primary
color scheme, a tint color scheme,
and a tone color scheme.
Analogous Color Schemes

Analogous color schemes are one of the color as the middle anchor. Using five
most attractive color schemes available to us. adjacent colors place the primary or
The dictionary defines analogous as “partial secondary colors on each end as anchors.
resemblance.” Colors around the color wheel Contrast is achieved naturally with the color
partially resemble each other as they contain closest to yellow serving as the light and the
some of the color of their neighbors. color closest to violet serving as the dark.
Contrast can also be achieved by following
Let’s go around the sequence of harmony discussed
the color wheel previously.
and see how the
colors resemble Related video:
each other. Yellow Using a Color Wheel to Choose Quilt Colors
is a primary color
which means it
does not contain
any other color. This
is also true of red
and blue. They are
the neighborhood
anchors. All other
colors on the color
wheel contain
varying amounts of one or two of these
primary colors. Green, violet, and orange
are secondary colors. Green is a mixture of
yellow and blue. Violet is a mixture of blue
and red. Orange is a mixture of yellow and
red. Between the secondary colors are the
tertiary colors, which are mixtures of the Here is a color wheel made of fabric
colors their name implies; Yellow/green, scraps that shows the relationship of one
blue/green, blue/violet, red/violet, red/ color to another. Yellow, blue, and red
orange, and yellow/orange. are the primary colors. Green, violet, and
orange are secondary colors (or mixtures
Whenever colors contain remnants of of the primary colors). Yellow/green, blue/
another color, those colors will play well green, blue/violet, red/violet, red/orange,
together. A rule of thumb is to use three to and yellow/orange are tertiary colors, or
five adjacent colors on the color wheel. mixtures of the colors their names imply.
Using three puts the primary or secondary
This quilt, called “Beauty of the Nile

Variation,” uses an analogous tint, tone, and
shade color scheme of green, yellow/green,
yellow, yellow/orange, and dark orange.
Here is a close-up (inset right) of the fabrics

used in the “Beauty of the Nile Variation.”
Note the smooth sequence of harmony –
tint, tone, and shade.
This “Swing in the Center” medallion quilt

uses an analogous sequence of yellow,
yellow/green, green, blue/green, and blue.
The color sequence is toned/tint, tones, and
shade.
Lesson: How often can it be said?

“Loosely Woven II” uses hand-dyed fabrics
Practice, practice, and practice some
for an analogous sequence of violet, red-
more. Practice recognizing these qualities
violet, red, red-orange, and orange. The
a little at a time, and over time you will
color sequence uses all pure colors and is an
become confident and adept at choosing
example of a common color scheme.
colors for your quilts.
• Identify quilts which use an

analogous color scheme.
• Identify the color sequence.
• Suggestion: Using your 2-inch
practice squares, lay out an
analogous color scheme using a
smooth sequence of harmony or
common color scheme.
Complementary Color Schemes

Complementary color schemes are the most fabric with a little bit of red in it. It doesn’t
sophisticated of the color schemes and also take much to make the transition. Even one
the most challenging. Using complementary or two fabrics that contain the middle mud
colors without blending them can lead to a colors will do the trick.
very strong, almost confrontational contrast.
Blending the colors makes the quilt pleasant Related video:
and chic. What to Know About Dyeing Fabrics
Complementary color schemes require Pictured here are complementary runs of

joining hands across the color wheel: red watercolor mixes and dyed fabric to show
and green, violet and
yellow, blue and orange.
The same principles of
blending and contrast
as discussed before
apply to make this color
scheme work.
Let’s use red and green as

an example of blending.
To make red and green
blend smoothly we must
gradually change from
red to green by adding a
little green to the red and
a little red to the green.
When we do this each
color gets a little duller
and less defined until in
the middle we have mud.
Yes, mud! But mud works.
Blending can be done

by dyeing fabric or by making fabric choices the range of colors. The top is yellow to
that gradually switch from one color to violet, the middle is red to green, and the
another. You could use a red fabric that has bottom is blue to orange. Do you see the
a small amount of green in it, another that muddy colors in the middle?
has more, and so on, until you have a green
Here is a close-up of the fabrics used in

“Color Study.” Note the incorporation of a
little red in the green fabrics and a little green
This “Color Study” quilt demonstrates the in the red fabrics.
smooth transition of both a red and green
sequence from tint to shade.
Lesson: The more often you work on

recognizing these qualities the better
trained your eye will become. Try the
following as practice:
• From your stash identify

complementary blending fabrics.
• Suggestion: Using your 2-inch practice
squares, lay out a complementary color
scheme using a smooth sequence of
color. Are you missing some colors to
complete the sequence?
This guide on color for quilts contains the

basic principles you need to make color your
best friend. Remember that training your
eye to the subtleties of color takes time. It
is better to practice a little bit at a time and
often than to overwhelm your brain doing a
“Sand Hill Crane” uses the complements of lot only once.
red and green by blending them and mixing
small pieces of each color. The quilt uses a Like friends, frequent contact through the
tint-tone-shade sequence. lessons outlined in this guide will deepen your
color practice and make quilting an even more
enjoyable – and colorful - experience.
Want more fun projects

and helpful Quilting tips?
To see more great projects and

helpful quilting guides like this,
and to watch exclusive quilting
videos, make sure to visit us at
www.nationalquilterscircle.com .
“Thinking Outside the Box” uses the
Improve your quilting skills and
complements of violet and yellow. Note the
muddy green color in the quilt – this is the join our community to share in the
middle color when violet and yellow are mixed. love of quilting!
Quilter’s Color Wheel

Print off this color wheel and hang in your sewing room for inspiration!

Quilting Color Theory NQC

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Quilting Guide

Quilting Color Theory:

Contrast & Blending

Principle #1: CONTRAST

This quilt, called “Stepping

dinner party where the personalities

Colors work the same way.

Lesson: The more often you practice

• Does the quilt use high, medium or

Tint, Tone, & Shade

As you move diagonally from upper left

Now let’s go back to the dinner party

Here is a close-up of the color sequences of

Turn to the end of this guide for your own

Common Color Schemes

If you were to place the pin through the

If you were to place the pin through a tint

If you were to place the pin through a tone

The contrast in these quilts comes from the

Lesson: The more often you work on

• Identify quilts that use a common

Analogous Color Schemes

This quilt, called “Beauty of the Nile

Here is a close-up (inset right) of the fabrics

This “Swing in the Center” medallion quilt

Lesson: How often can it be said?

• Identify quilts which use an

Complementary Color Schemes

Complementary color schemes require Pictured here are complementary runs of

Let’s use red and green as

Blending can be done

Here is a close-up of the fabrics used in

Lesson: The more often you work on

• From your stash identify

This guide on color for quilts contains the

Want more fun projects

To see more great projects and

Quilter’s Color Wheel

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