If you hang around fabric stores long enough you’re sure to see the handy color keys on many of the selvages. They’re useful for making sure you don’t miss any of the less obvious hues in multicolor prints when you’re selecting fabric for a quilt. Who knew there was a cool gray and a light apricot color in that brown polka dot print below?
Don’t get me wrong, selvage color keys are a great place to start; but stick too precisely to the color key and your quilts may occasionally come out looking a little bit manufactured. Sometimes it’s OK to color outside the color key lines. I grant you diplomatic immunity from the quilt police.

Have you ever overheard people discussing vintage quilts? One of the most common comments is “You know, I would never have put those fabrics together, but they look great.”

How many of the fabrics on the far right would you put in a quilt with the green and pink focus fabric? (click on the image to enlarge) They range from pretty close to downright clashing, and that cream with orange print simply came out of left field. But surprisingly enough, if you group them all together in the right proportions, your quilt will sparkle with a charming personality.

Be sparing with the hot pink so it doesn’t overpower the quilt. If the clashing greens bother you too much, don’t arrange them next to each other. Still uncomfortable? Start with the color key on your focus fabric and closely match all but one or two fabrics. Make sure you have a dark dark and a light light for balance and variety.

Here are my fabrics all laid out together. Just imagine what a stunning quilt they would make with some simple blocks in the middle, a narrow pink or brown border, and then the green and pink focus fabric in a wide border.
Why not shop in your fabric stash with new eyes. Look for possibilities that go beyond the color key and make your next quilt sparkle! (no bling required)