A Guide to Choosing Fabric for a Modern Quilt. 💛

How to Confidently Build a Fabric Pull You’ll Love (No Art Degree Required!)

Hey there, quilty friend! 💛

One of the most exciting, and let’s be honest, slightly overwhelming parts of quilting is choosing your fabric. If you’ve ever stood in front of a rainbow wall of fat quarters feeling more panic than inspiration, you are not alone.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a color expert to create a beautiful, modern quilt. Today, we’re walking through how to choose fabric like a modern quilter—from understanding color theory to balancing solids and prints, and even a few go-to brands I love.

Let’s get into it!

1: Understand the Basics of Color Theory (No Fancy Jargon Needed)

You don’t need a design degree to use colour theory - you just need to understand how colours relate to each other. Here are a few easy tips:

✔️ Monochromatic

Stick to different shades of one colour (like light blue, sky blue, navy). It’s calming, elegant, and super beginner-friendly.

✔️ Complementary Colors

Pick two colors that are opposite on the color wheel (like teal and orange, or pink and green). These combos pop!

✔️ Analogous Colors

Choose colors that sit next to each other on the wheel (like yellow, orange, and red). This creates harmony without being too matchy-matchy.

✔️ Neutrals Are Your Best Friend

White, cream, gray, and black help modern quilts breathe. Use them as a background or to tone down a bold palette.

✨ Beginner tip: Use free online tools like Coolors or Adobe Color to test out palettes. Or pull inspiration from a favorite photo or outfit!

2: Solids vs. Prints. What's the Modern Mix?

One of the signatures of modern quilting is the use of solid fabrics, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid prints completely.

🌈 Solids

They let your shapes and piecing do the talking. They're clean, bold, and graphic. Start with solids if you’re nervous about clashing colors.

🖼 Modern Prints

Look for prints that are graphic, minimal, or geometric. Avoid overly detailed florals or vintage-style prints (which lean traditional).

✨ Modern tip: Try a fabric pull that’s 70% solids and 30% prints to keep things clean and intentional.

3: Fabric Brands Modern Quilters Love

Not all quilting cotton is created equal. These brands are known for quality and that modern aesthetic:

• Kona Cotton (by Robert Kaufman) – Their solids are vibrant, soft and come in 365+ colours. A modern quilter’s staple.

• Art Gallery Fabrics – Smooth texture, sophisticated prints, and rich solids. Also eco-conscious!

• Ruby Star Society (by Moda) – Bold, fresh prints with a modern twist.

• Cotton + Steel – Great for mixing playful and modern prints.

• Peppered Cottons (by Studio E) – Textured solids with a woven look - perfect for that slightly rustic modern vibe.

✨ Pro tip: Choose a few brands you love and build a little “starter stash” around their colour stories. It makes pulling fabric for future quilts way easier.

4: How to Build a Modern Fabric Pull

Alright, so how do you actually pull it all together? Here’s a step-by-step:

1. Pick Your Hero Colour

Start with one color you love—maybe a deep mustard, rich teal, or soft lilac.

2. Choose Your Supporting Cast

Add 2–3 complementary or contrasting solids. Use the colour wheel tips from earlier!

3. Add a Neutral

A background fabric like white, cream, or gray helps everything pop.

4. Toss in One Print (Optional!)

Choose a modern print that includes your hero color or adds a little surprise.

5. Lay It Out and Take a Photo

Seeing your pull in a flat lay or photo helps you notice if something feels too bold, too bland, or just right.

✨ Feeling stuck? Try a curated bundle from your favorite quilt shop or use the colours from a quilt you admire. There’s no shame in leaning on inspiration!

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💡 Final Thoughts

Choosing fabric should feel like a creative adventure—not a test. The best thing about modern quilting is that there’s so much room to play, experiment, and make something that’s uniquely yours.

So next time you're picking fabric, remember:

• Start simple.

• Trust your gut.

• Let colour be fun, not stressful.

You’ve got this!

And hey, if you want to try these tips with a beginner-friendly quilt pattern that shows off your fabric pull beautifully, check out my [Pattern Name] quilt. It’s designed to make your colors shine (and it’s easy to follow, promise!).