Fabric Selection Guidance

[Barbara B.]

Here it is— the information you need to plan your Afternoon Delight:

https://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/2019/12/afternoon-delight-fabric-requirements.html

[Beverly C.]

Barbara, thank you for this information! One question: how much yardage for the outside red (as shown in the kit options) border?

[Barbara B.]

Great question, NanaPie! Pattern says 3.25 yards for border, Kit includes 4 yards so you have the same fabric for binding. There is also a narrow inner border, Kit includes one yard which is very generous.

Thanks for asking.

[Pamela N.]

Thank you for all the information on your blog Barbara, it's very much appreciated. I am still undecided what fabrics to use, I'm considering blue and white or red and white at the moment, I love the scrappy look too. Once I have the first month pattern I'll decide as I'll be eager to start.
Kind regards Pam

[Cindy G.]

Fabric selection is always a scary thing for some I think . I am doing a class on it in Jan for our guild . I sort of how to make a go choice for you . One of the things I often suggest is pick a omg !!! Fabric that beautiful print you just had to buy and select your fabrics from its colour palette. Another helpful hint if you don’t have a fabric stash is to go to the paint chip area at your hardware store and grab the paint chip pallets that speaks to you the most. I hope this will help some .

[Linda N.]

I chose several background fabrics from my stash last night; and fabric for applique blocks 3 and 4. I'm hoping to enlarge this for my king-size bed and using colors that are in our Persian carpets.

[Cindy G.]

Your choices look great can’t wait to see your first block

[Cindy G.]

I was thinking of using one print for my background. Maybe a little controlled scrappy with only one background? I haven’t made a completely scrappy quilt so I am not sure how this would look. Interested in any thoughts or suggestions please

Is anyone using fat quarter bundles instead of half yards cuts? I have several fat quarter bundles but not a-lot of half yard cuts.

[Beverly C.]

TammyW, I am using mostly fat quarters (from my stash) until I reach the point I need to add more.

[Barbara B.]

Tammy, one background would look fine, just not as scrappy. The prints would be more of the focal point that way.

Fat quarters are great for this quilt. The more, the merrier.

[Barbara B.]

I purchased the kit with the light border. Question: do you suggest washing all fabrics before starting?

[Barbara B.]

Are the kit fabrics large enough to be okay in the washing machine, or do you recommend hand washing those?

[Barbara B.]

Background fabrics are 1 yard pieces, prints are 1/2 yard. Easy to machine wash.

[Diane O.]

I'm using one fabric for my background, and only FQs for everything else. The FQs I bought are a digital print from Hoffman fabrics, and I selected 10 different colors. I'm also going to add some solids for some of the applique. My background is a grey Grunge fabric.
I think by using FQs you will get more variety in your blocks, and that will look great. The great part about quilts that are designed to use so many fabrics, is no matter what you use, it will still end up looking great!!

Diane in Colorado Springs

[MaryJo M]

When I saw the unveiling of the quilt in Houston, I knew this is one I HAVE to follow through on and make. It will be ambitious, but do-able. I was so glad to see in the first show that the pieces are oversized, and as Barbara says, "cut to perfection". I am pulling from my stash... the best selection I have is from a "1/2 yard of everything" from a Jinny Beyer collection I purchased when a local store owner was retiring and closing. I just KNEW I had to purchase it for a reason! I used the color selection palette for guidance.
I have a few backgrounds, but will pick out more as we go along. I think I will go with a bit of an off white tone on tone selection.

Thanks for everything! Jo