Now that Summer is culturally officially at an end I am dragging my feet and
wanting to hang on to the vibrant colors of my favorite flowers. Today I would like to discuss using all the bright colors in your quilts. Have I mentioned before that I LOVE bright colors, preferably together?

This quilt on top is an explosion of fabulous color, a stained glass quilt made of scraps (!) and assembled one block per day for 100 days, then assembled in this interesting grid design.

Here’s a more geometric example using squares and half square triangles.
The prism effect is stunning and the alternating values make this visually
engaging.

I’ve never made a puff quilt since I have always had quilt frames or a long
arm, but they can be a fun project. The gradient colors diagonally across this quilt is a stunner and the use of batiks is an unexpected surprise.

This quilt doesn’t have ALL the colors, but this example of a seaglass quilt
has always interested me with the variance of the colors and the little pebbles of color.

Another creative use of color in a very traditional quilt is this fabulous Dear
Jane in rainbow tones. I am obsessed with this design anyway and have
never seen it done quilt like this.

Same goes for this incredible Double Wedding Ring that uses many hues
in the rings and the border decoration.

To be honest, this one kinda makes my head hurt. But what a terrific way to use up tiny scraps!

I have a particular fondness for modern type quilts. This one with the “flakes” of color is interesting and unique.

No surprise that this quilt won many awards. My sci-fi loving grandkids are
crazy about this one.

Another creative way to use color is to indicate weather conditions visually.
This clever quilt shows the color of the sky every five minutes from midnight
to noon on the day that a couple started dating. They consulted nautical
and astrological information to determine the colors.

These two quilts show the temperature for every day in a year. This can be
accomplished by making a list of the colors for temperature ranges and
choosing the colors for each day.

This last quilt was one that my mom pieced out of a collection of batiks that
we gave her one year for an occasion. This is about as adventurous as she was likely to be, but still a wonderful use of color.

Tomorrow I’m headed to judge the Utah State Fair quilts. I’ve been honored to do this for fifteen years or so. I hope I will have some interesting things to share next time!

— Queen Bee

1. Balance with Neutrals: Pair bright colors with neutrals (like white, gray, or beige) to create balance. Neutrals help tone down the intensity of bright colors, allowing them to stand out without overwhelming the quilt.
2. Consider Contrast: Use contrasting colors to make your bright colors pop. For example, placing a bright color next to its complementary color on the color wheel (e.g., blue with orange) can create a dynamic, eye-catching effect.
3. Test with Small Pieces: Before committing to a design, create a small sample block or layout with your bright fabrics. This allows you to see how the colors interact and make adjustments if needed.
4. Use Bright Colors as Accents: If you're hesitant to go all-in with bright colors, start by using them as accents or focal points in your quilt. Bright borders, sashing, or small blocks can add vibrancy without overpowering the overall design.
5. Pay Attention to Fabric Patterns: When using bright fabrics, consider the patterns as well. Large, bold patterns can make bright colors more intense, while smaller or more subtle patterns can help tone them down. Mix and match to create the desired effect.

These tips can help you incorporate bright colors into your quilts in a way that's both striking and harmonious!

Featured YouTube Video

Jewel Tone Bright Quilt

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