Sweet Columbine Quilt... the electric lemon version

eeek!!! I'm over the moon crazy about this Sweet Columbine quilt! If you are a lover of neon I think you are going to really enjoy this version.

A look back into my thought process...

Last year, I was shopping at my local quilt shop and this solid fabric caught my eye. What color was it, you might ask? Well it's a neon yellow, called 'Electric Lemon' from the Bella Solids line for Moda Fabrics. 

I quickly had it in my arms with no plans for it! Isn't that what normally happens?

Once home it got stashed away with the rest of the "what to do with" fabric purchases. But, this vibrant color was still on my mind.

After making the cover version of the Sweet Columbine quilt, I wanted to make a second version that spoke even more to the cheerful feeling I get from seeing Golden Columbine flowers. From how there luxe yellow is a show stopper.

So, using the electric lemon solid quickly came to mind. But what would the other fabrics be?

Selecting coordinating fabrics...

First, I knew I wanted to include something black and white because that's my favorite color combo and I try to include it somewhere in most of my quilts.

With that in mind, I looked through my stash and selected a piece from the Ruby Star Society Achroma collection.

Then, I thought about the leafs on a Columbine and how there three leaflets remind me of clover. 

Once, again I looked through my stash and selected the out of print [OOP] Cotton and Steel {formerly RSS} piece from the Front Yard collection. The fabric was designed by Sarah Watts and is called 'Clovers' in teal.

After choosing to use the clover fabric I went back to my local quilt shop to select the rest of the fabrics needed for the Sweet Columbine quilt. I decided to use all Ruby Star Society fabrics because I like how they coordinate nicely together.

A little color theory talk...

When choosing fabrics I normally select what I like and that I think looks good together. And other times I use a color wheel. This time was a mix of the two.

If you were to look at a color wheel you would see that the electric lemon, teal clovers and berry twirl make a triad. Although not a prefect triad, it is close. 

Triad color schemes normally select a primary color, in this case the electric lemon, and then two secondary colors that serve as accents. 

With those accent colors selected, I thought about what a split complimentary color palette would be for both the teal clovers and berry twirl. 

For the teal clovers it needed an orange and green. And, the berry twirl needed an orange and green. 

So that made picking out the final two fabrics easy, all I needed was to find an orange and a green.

Final Thoughts...

If you struggle with selecting fabrics or colors for quilts color wheels are very helpful. There are several sources available for free online or if you like a physical product C&T Publishing has quite a few options.

Alternatively, if you are looking for some color inspiration for the Sweet Columbine quilt I have a few mockups available in another blog post, click here to view.

Anywho! That's a little glimpse into my thought process of selecting fabrics for my quilts. Selecting fabrics can be a process and takes time and lots of trail and error. But when the end product comes together all that time spent is such a reward.

I can't wait to see what fabric you select for the Sweet Columbine quilt! Go have fun with color!

Still need to get a copy of the Sweet Columbine Quilt Pattern? It's available now in my shop, or click this link to shop.