Colour Scheme Inspiration
When looking at the various colour combinations it is worth noting that there are four basic colour schemes to consider:-
Monochromatic Colour Scheme
This is where your colour combination uses only one colour in varying shades, tones and values. If you think of a winter's
day with the grey skies, white snow and trees black against the landscape, this is a good example of a monochromatic colour
scheme. Think of a field of wheat and the variation you will see on yellow with its waves of gold and sand. The
monochromatic colour scheme can be very dramatic.
Complementary Colour Scheme
Here colours opposite each other on the colour wheel are used. The effect is often very beautiful and as the name of the
scheme suggests, the colours complement each other. Perhaps the most stunning complementary colours to be used together are
yellow and purple (violet) which face each other across the colour wheel. Think of the purple pansy with its yellow centre.
Using a mixture of tints, shades and tones of the complementary colours within your quilt can create a very natural effect.
Analogous Colour Scheme
By following the analogous colour scheme, colours which are adjacent or neighbours to each other on the colour wheel will be
incorporated into your project. The effect created should be that of visual harmony and it is a colour scheme most used by
patchwork quilters. Think of a sunrise or a sunset where the sky displays yellows and oranges or reds to deep blues. When using
this colour scheme try and vary the colour values to enhance the effect you want to create.
Polychromatic Colour Scheme
Also known as multi-coloured, this is a colour scheme where all colours can be used. Think of the charm quilt where the
quilter who has amassed many scraps over the years incorporates them into one quilt of memories. The results can be dazzling.
What cannot be emphasised enough is that yes, there are rules and guidelines, but ultimately it is important that you use the
colours that you want to use. Experiment and have fun because that is what patchwork and quilting is all about. Use books,
magazines, nature and maybe even the city in the early morning. Look at the colours and incorporate them into your design.
It is also possible to buy fabric packs which will help start you off on a project if you are new or cannot find inspiration.
Fabric packs provide a way of obtaining a range of colours to suit you and then perhaps building on from that to create the
quilt you want.