How to Choose the Best Fabric for a Quilt

The thought of walking inside the Quilt Shop sometimes gives me fabric overload. The different vibrant colors and designs while scanning from right to left can be overwhelming and sometimes it's hard for me to decide which fabric to buy.

Luckily, I found some helpful tips on how to choose the best fabric for a quilt. I am sharing these tips with you so that you can buy the right fabrics to make your quilt beautiful.

Tip #1 Plan Ahead

It’s like going to a grocery store; we need to write down what we don’t have at home before we buy our food. In this technique, we will save time and money because we already have a list, and we should stick to it. The same goes when shopping at the quilt shop or buying fabric at the best quilting fabric stores online.

We should plan what quilt pattern we will make and the fabric required. There are a lot of quilt designs out there. If you are a beginner, look at our Free Quilt Patterns to get ideas on what to quilt.

Tip #2 Consider buying a Kit or Pre-cut collection

Choosing to buy a Kit will develop your confidence in putting various colors of fabrics together. The fabrics were already handpicked for you, which you can be sure that it will work perfectly together.

It is a little expensive though, but this is the easiest way you will learn how to eventually choose your own fabrics for your collection.

Here are the different scales (sizes) you will see in a collection.

• Large scale print

• Medium scale print

• Small scale print

• Geometric or Striped variation

• Random Dots

Tip # 3 Think About Color

Choosing fabric colors is difficult. There are many varieties, from warm or cool, clear or dusty, bright hues or muted hues. We must know how these colors will interact with each other so we can have a predictable outcome.

Find a piece of fabric to focus on. Look at the color it uses and follow the color scheme of that pattern for your jump-off.

Take a look at the jungle print on the first photo and how it works well on the quilt created. They use different shades but stayed with the same color family.

Using different shades but keeping the colors with the same vibrancy will give you more contrast and depth.

If you are still confused, better use a color wheel. It will give you instant information on what colors will go with each other.

Tip # 4 Think about the Scale (Size)

The scale is described as the size of the design or prints on your quilt. It provides contrast and balance on your collection.

It would be best if you consider to mix and match the scale from small, medium, large so that the eyes can find a place to rest.

Tip # 5 Consider using Solids

Use Solids to neutralize or show-off the busier prints. The solid print can help feature and break the prints individually.

Tip # 6 Ask for Help

When you still don’t know what color to use, visit a local shop. Find at least 2 or 3 colors you think you will use and ask someone from the store to help you choose fabrics that go with the fabrics you picked.

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Choosing Fabric for a Quilt

How to Choose the Best Fabric for a Quilt

Always keep in mind that no quilt is perfect. It is best to enjoy the process and try new things that you like. Learn from mistakes and practice, practice, practice. After you've chosen your quilt fabric you can save time when cutting your fabric by using fabric cutting machines.