Hey everyone! Last week I posted a new version of one of my favorite quilt patterns Dimension on my Instagram feed. There was so much enthusiasm about the new spin, I thought I would share the fabrics I chose and some tips to selecting your own fabrics for the new version. I am calling this version Dusk. These instructions are meant to use in tandem with the pattern that you can purchase in my shop.
I designed Dusk for my son who’s favorite colors are blue and purple. We just moved to our new house and thought it was a perfect time to make him a new quilt for his room.
As promised, here is the list of fabrics I chose to create DUSK. If you are careful cutting for Sections B & C, you can get what you need out of a fat quarter, if you want some more wiggle room I recommend using a piece of fabric that is 12” x 42 ” I always prefer having wiggle room. Fat Quarters or Quarter Yards for Sections A and D with the exception of colors 1 and 19 which you can get away with a fat eighth.
Now lets say you want to make your own version! I always encourage you to take my patterns and run with them! Here are a few tips!
Grab more swatches then you think you need… I found myself swapping shades that I thought would work for others that just worked better.
Now I focus on the 4 colors of the individual block and make sure my dark and light are placed in the correct spot. You can choose to have your values in different positions, but its important for this version of the quilt to be consistent.
Once I identify my dark and light values, for each block, I then will look at the mid-tones (in this case sections A & D). I named these my transition colors, because you want to make sure that the color connects to the next block in some way. In a very basic explanation… If your first block is RED and your second block is YELLOW then you would want ORANGE to be your transition.
Below is how I lay out my quilt so I can identify my lights/darks and transitions easily.
And thats basically it! Simple right?
I just want to explain that using this method for picking fabrics is specifically if you want to keep a uniformed look to your quilt! I plan on creating on that has more movement and variation and that one would break all the tonal rules I tried to follow for this quilt.
Can you see how in the bottom two mock ups I didn’t follow my roles? The left has an ombre transition, top to bottom, but I changed the location of darks on some of the blocks. I think it would be a beautiful quilt anyway! The right bottom quilt is much more random and disorganized, It will capture your eye in a different way causing your eye to move along, which is one of my favorite ways to work color. You see, I just want you guys to feel free. I gave you some tools, break them, follow them… but make something.
What about Prints?! I want to use Prints!!!!
OHHHH well… Look at what I am about to work on…. I am applying all the same rules and I think its going to be something special. So don’t be scared to try PRINTS! Giuseppe’s fabric is fantastic, If you haven’t seen it yet, please visit his instagram feed for peeks! I am making this quilt for G to show at Fall Quilt Market so please be sure to check it out if you are going.
Last but not least, please make sure to tag me on instagram using @nydiak #nydiakehnle #dimensionquilt or email me your finished photos. I love to see them. They make my job so much brighter 🙂
Incase you have missed it, you can purchase the pattern here in my shop. If you are a shop and want to inquire about wholesale for this pattern… shoot me an email nydia@nydiakehnle.com.
