Class #5 Analogous block questions

[Millie S.]

Does each letter in the Aztec Jewel pattern represent a different color?

[Dee C.]

It can, but not necessarily. If you are watching the show you may have noticed I add more colors than they do in the photo of the block. It has more to do with the size you cut the block.

[Millie S.]

I hope I have picture right. Anyway, as you can see from the color wheel, I used Org/Yel, Yel, Yel/Green. Then, I went to the 3 in 1 tool to pick fabrics. Was this a mistake? Did I jump boundaries? Block seems a little plain - that's why I'm asking. Also, I have very few prints.

[Dee C.]

You are not jumping boundaries. The reason I think your block looks a little plain to you is more about the value of the fabrics chosen and not the colors. Helen's graphic below will definitely help you out. We will talk about the value again this week.

[Helen W.]

I hope I have picture right. Anyway, as you can see from the color wheel, I used Org/Yel, Yel, Yel/Green. Then, I went to the 3 in 1 tool to pick fabrics. Was this a mistake? Did I jump boundaries? Block seems a little plain - that's why I'm asking. Also, I have very few prints.

Millie, I am not doing Dee's class only because I can't find enough hours in the day since I am doing the BOM Garden Party Down Under. I do like watching everything because I always learn something. I played with your color palette by drawing the main block in EQ8. It lets you audition colors and fabrics. Here are a couple in your palette. I think, if you used one deep dark color in you
scheme it would add a little spark. Just playing around, so I thought I would post it. HelenW

[Millie S.]

WOW! Thank you. I have Q7 - never occurred to me to try and use it. I love what you have done with this! Thank you for the input. I was just concerned I had jumped out of bounds on the lesson to be learned in Class #5.

[Millie S.]

Also, Helen, I LOVE that bottom right block....taking everything in my power to not copy it! It sings to me THAT much. :-)

[Helen W.]

Millie, By all means, go right ahead and copy it. I was just playing around and it was to help you
find what combinations you like. HelenW

[jptousley]

Millie,
I have been thinking about your post since reading it yesterday. Hopefully, you find Helen’s response helpful. She has beautifully illustrated the use of the tints, shades, and tones within your analogous color scheme and the impact created by the variations. You may also want to look at the Jinny Breyer show under the “WATCH shows” tab on the Quilt Show website where she discusses color. It is show #0313, Chapter 4. It is an excellent illustration of color and fabric choices to create more interesting and impactful quilts.

I also was thinking about your comment that you have very few prints. Applying color theory is much more difficult with fabric than with paint, where you can create the desired shade, tint, etc. You are limited by the printed fabric, as well as the fabric at your fingertips. Dee suggested taking the mini color wheel or 3-in-1 color tool with you when shopping. Then you can look at the range of possibilities when purchasing. Since you recognized that you needed contrast in value with your block, you can pay special attention to the lights and darks in a color family, as well as the other design elements. Again, the Jinny Breyer program is so helpful. I hope I haven’t overstepped. You are off to such a good start. You showed some excellent fabric choices when you initially posted your array of fabrics…so, don’t be hard on yourself regarding any limited number of prints. It is a challenge sometimes to apply color theory to fabric.
Jackie

[Millie S.]

Wonderful suggestions, Jackie. Thank you. I am a fan of JB and will look that class up right away. Thank you, too, for your encouragement. I need to review Dee's class again, I just "feel" she made a comment about jumping boundaries on the color wheel - I better look again. I am definitely out of my comfort range which is why I chose to take Dee's class. Soon.... a visit to my local fabric store with 3 in 1 tool, JB's Palette, and my best friend! Loving these suggestions.

[Bette G.]

This is my block for analogous, from Turquoise to Green, the grey looking fabric is a turquoise, and the green is the little half blocks on the flying geese, all the others are blue greens each step in between. Not sure why my picture does not show the whole block. I'm new at posting here.

[Millie S.]

I see you've made an extra 3" block - cool! I love that idea.

[Helen W.]

Millie You might want to watch Show 209 How to Pick Fabrics for Your Quilt with Annie Smith. She does a lot of what
Dee is teaching but the emphasis on value. Lots of examples. HelenW

[Millie S.]

Helen, I will do that today!

[Christine R.]

[Helen W.]

Christine, Nice set of blocks. Like how you tied them all together with the common bird in the center
fabric. Looking forward to seeing more pictures as you progress with the quilt. HelenW

[Christine R.]

Not sure why my comments did not appear with my photo. Analagous blocks. I have made one each with a light, medium, dark and grey background. This block was fiddly to sew! I recommend using some starch. The bird fabric is my focus fabric which I'm calling Orange Red. I thought putting a bird in every block would be fun. Not sure how well it works, I feel the print is a bit distracting.

[Linda R.]

Dee, I made this pocketbook using the green, gold colors. What do you think?

[Christine R.]

Analagous Blocks second set. These are analagous colour selections of Aqua Blue. I have started to assemble my blocks according to a proposed layout. Not sure how it will go, I am making it up as we go. The sashing is half inch wide grey and white. It seems to sit well between any block groups. I'm sticking with the birds as I found some more bird print fabrics since I started. These bird blocks look very dark, but according to the colour tool they are a shade of aqua blue.