How to Choose Quilt Fabrics

There are a lot of choices in fabric in modern quilting and it can be easy to get caught up in them all without overspending or buying ones that you really won't won't use. This article will explain how to identify the right fabric choices for your quilt making.

1. 

    Know the names used for quilt fabric textures, colours and designs.
   Know the names used for quilt fabric textures, colours and designs. These are fairly much as follows:
   • 

      Solid fabrics: This is one single colour, with no patterns.
     Solid fabrics: This is one single colour, with no patterns.
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      The first and third fabrics from the left show mini prints.
     Mini print fabrics: This is fabric with prints on a tiny scale. These are usually found in limited colours. They're ideal for beginners working with prints because they don't tend to show up mismatches in any obvious way.
   • 

      Calico fabrics: This refers to small-scale prints, in a variety of colours.
     Calico fabrics: This refers to small-scale prints, in a variety of colours.
   • 

      Dot fabrics: This type of fabric has one design feature reprinted to appear like polka dots at even spaces.
     Dot fabrics: This type of fabric has one design feature reprinted to appear like polka dots at even spaces. It might be dots, flowers, geometric shapes, etc.
   • 

      Airy fabrics: This refers to fabrics with subtle line designs and very few colours in the same fabric.
     Airy fabrics: This refers to fabrics with subtle line designs and very few colours in the same fabric.
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      If the design is too large, it'll look chopped off in a quilt.
     Large scale fabrics: This fabric has large prints/designs across all of the fabric. It's not always ideal for small pieces on a quilt as the design can be chopped off too much to be able to know what it is.
   • 

      Stripe fabrics: Any fabric containing small to large stripes.
     Stripe fabrics: Any fabric containing small to large stripes. They can lead the eye in one direction and can give a sense of the quilt having been pieced.
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      Geometric fabrics: Straight lines across fabric in geometric patterns.
     Geometric fabrics: Straight lines across fabric in geometric patterns.
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      Varying shades of pink.
     Tone on tone fabrics: This is a print in one colour in varying gradations of the colour.
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      Directional fabrics: This is fabric that features a design all headed in the same direction.
     Directional fabrics: This is fabric that features a design all headed in the same direction. Generally not recommended for beginners because if this design gets skewed, it can look terrible.
2. Choose plain, quality fabrics for large parts of the quilt. Homespun fabrics are a good solid choice that consist of plain dyed and pure cotton. They range in quality, so take care when selecting. The colour range is enormous. If you purchase high quality homespun fabrics, be sure to check that it has been pre-shrunk and mercerized before use. Checking for colourfastness is also important.
3. Choose solid fabrics when the print isn't important as part of the overall quilt design. However, be careful if you're a beginner––solid fabric piecing and sewing must be good or errors show up easily. For the beginner, look for prints that hide imperfections easily.
4. Select prints according to the quilt design and pattern.
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      The large print works for this cushion and single fabric quilt design.
     Choose large prints when you want to make a feature part of the quilt. Large prints will also work well for borders.
   • 

      Choose small prints when you want to add them to small pieced blocks.
     Choose small prints when you want to add them to small pieced blocks. Small prints can work as binding, backing and sashing.
   • Choose stripes and checks when you want to create a really spiced up block or a narrow border or sashing. They also make fetching binding.
5. 

    For monochromatic quilting, choose some of the following:.
   For monochromatic quilting, choose some of the following:
   • Tone on tone prints: These are good for creating texture on the quilt and will tend to look plain when viewed from afar. If you're making a monochromatic quilt, this is a good choice.
   • Black and white prints: This is a very interesting quilting combination that could be used for a bold statement quilt, a quilt that mimics zebra stripes, or a more subtle black and white pattern for a vintage look.
6. 

    Use reproduction fabrics if you're trying to make a vintage looking quilt.
   Use reproduction fabrics if you're trying to make a vintage looking quilt. These have a retro look and can be from eras as far back as the 1700s through to ones that pick up on prints from the 1920s and 1930s, which used to be called "feedsacks", and include patterns up to the 1950s. These prints range from dainty ones with small floral patterns, depictions of people and animals, to more bold geometric shapes and bright colors. During the Depression era, fabric chemists perfected pastels, so fabric harkening back to this era will often have a pastel color quality. Some also feature prints of old products such as biscuits (cookies), tea and chocolate but these can also be viewed as novelty prints.
7. 

    Add novelty prints for fun.
   Add novelty prints for fun. When you want to add a fun and cute element to a quilt or you're making a themed quilt, the novelty prints are ideal. They'll often reflect current trends like teacups and teapots, cupcakes, animals, plants, sports, etc. They make great backing or can be fussy cut.
8. Use blender fabrics when you want to match between other fabric types. Blender fabrics are great go-betweens or bridges between different fabrics because they blend with most prints and can harmonize the quilt as a whole.
9. 

    Always put swatches of fabric color combinations together before proceeding to make your quilt.
   Always put swatches of fabric color combinations together before proceeding to make your quilt. While you may think that the colors go well together when purchasing them separately or matching them in your mind's eye, it isn't until you place them down side by side that you'll really know whether they're a good match or not.
   • You'll often find a few colours stand out more than others. Is this the look you want to achieve overall?

• Batik fabrics are another nice quilt fabric choice.
• Don't overlook scrap fabrics from your own collection––this is how many quilting traditions started. Also, using key elements from beloved clothing or fabric items that are no longer viable for wearing or using is a wonderful way to protect them as keepsakes for longer. This is a great way to incorporate a child's beloved t-shirt design or a portion of a much loved design on your own clothing, etc.
• Beginners often feel overwhelmed by the fabric choices in quilting, especially with respect to prints. If you've been used to sewing clothes, you probably have a slight aversion to prints because they're usually so hard to get right on clothing––with quilting, you can let go of that fear and have fun experimenting!

• Fabrics with high contrast don't blend easily with other fabrics.
• Dot fabrics aren't the best for quilting, especially not for large pieces of a quilt project. Their repetition can steal attention from the overall design; use sparingly.
  

• Fabric retailer
• Fabric stash
• Good lighting for checking colours