When you start choosing the fabrics for a project, how do you choose the background fabric?
Traditional quilts prominently used cream or white, mainly because that is what was available. I always smile when I see a bold and vibrant background on an antique quilt. I think- wow! I’d like to have met the person who made that quilt. How creative she or he must have been.
Today, the sky is the limit. We see a lot of different fabrics used in backgrounds. It’s neither brave, nor bold, but with all of the choices out there, why not play?
There are a few things to think about when looking for a background fabric.
- Do you want to complement, contrast, or blend with your patchwork?
- Is there a certain pattern in your design you want to enhance?
- If your patchwork fabrics are dark, you may want to look towards a medium or lighter background. If the patchwork is light, you may want to try something darker.
- Our sewing specialist Cindy makes our test blocks for the magazine. She suggests that if your patchwork is busy-you may want to make your background less busy. In the same respect, if your patchwork is reserved, you may want to make your background busier with a print.
Above all, please yourself! You’re the one making it, so make it fun!
Happy Quilting!
Diane, Assistant Editor
