How to Choose Patchwork Quilt Fabric

Millions of women and men enjoy quilting as a way to create long-lasting gifts or make something useful out of scraps of leftover materials. Quilting is an enjoyable hobby for beginners to the very advanced needle worker. There are patterns available in fabric stores and online for adults and children. How to choose patchwork quilt fabric is an important lesson. 

Women, and now men, are learning the fine art of quilting. It is a great hobby passed down from generation to generation and making something out of small pieces of leftover fabric is a nice way to recycle what seems like unusable material. How to choose patchwork quilt fabric is a guide to help with large quilt fabric purchases.

Colors

1. Choose a recipient for your quilt. Is the quilt going to a young boy, and then choose bold, darker colors. If the quilt is going to an elderly lady in a nursing home, choosing colors that are more toned down. If you know the individual you are making the quilt for, you may want to check out their room to match the colors to their furniture or draperies.


2. Decide on a color scheme for the quilt. There are two choices: a multi-colored scheme or a monochromatic color scheme. A multi-color scheme comes from a patterned fabric and has the quilter pull colors from that pattern to create other parts of the color pallet. A monochromatic color scheme is one color in various shades or tints.


3. Mix up the prints. Pick large, medium and small prints to give the quilt depth and make it visually interesting.


4. Choose a mixture of color tones. Pick dark, medium and light fabrics to add contrast.

Fabric

1. Choose a fabric that is 100 percent cotton or a cotton blend. Cotton is the easiest to sew, wash and the quilt will be ideal for everyday use.


2. Match the patterned fabric on the grain. If the fabric you have chosen is not running on the grain or the pattern has been cut off, then you will have to choose a different patterned fabric for it to work well.


3. Choose a high thread-count if it is available. A high thread-count is a better quality of fabric. Something in the range of 68-78 thread counts is good and will last a lot longer than something with a lower thread count.