A primer on pairing solids and prints

 
Often I hear from quilters who are anxious about pairing solids and prints. They just aren't sure what to do, or how to do it. I'm not sure where the anxiety comes from, maybe the starkness of the solid? 

Here's a simple little quilt, working with just one print, and lots of solids

• Pick a favorite print that has a variety of colors
• Pull/purchase solids in shades close to the colors of the print
• Bind the quilt in the same print to unify all the colors together
• You've just successfully paired solids and a print!

Here's a free paper pieced 6" block I created - give it a try, and let me know how it goes! The name that I've given the block is DRY IN THE SHADE...this is the international symbol to dry clothing in the shade.

• Download DRY IN THE SHADE

xoxo,

Cherri

Comments

[Sequana]

It seems to me that the really important part here is to choose a print with LOTS of color in it, huh?

In your example, is there a match for all those solids in the print, or does the eye just make it seem that way?

[Cherri House]

For this example, yes...picking a print w/lots of colors aids in creating a successful quilt. This way there is less opportunity to have it go wrong. No, there isn't a match for every color in the print. I kept the value of the solids fairly tightly controlled from a light to medium range...again, this helps eliminate the possibilities for error.

Good question...thanks for asking :-)

[kristel]

That's a really cute pattern, and a really great way to use a print with solids.

I wonder how it'd look done in reverse, with a single solid and a bunch of different prints. (Busy, obviously, but maybe interesting.)

[Debbie-Esch House Quilts]

Very cute quilt!

I hate those international symbols on the clothes - I can never remember what any of them mean :)

[Michelle]

I adore this block! The overall effect is wonderful. And I love when people accent prints with solids- it just makes everything pop.

[Heather]

I love that you made a block based on the international symbol to dry clothing in the shade. Genius!

[Tina in Boston]

My first thought was that you are a genius, too Cherri! Has anyone had trouble downloading the file? I got a window when I clicked the link, but there was no file.

[Cherri House]

Hi Tina,

I think it must have to do with the computer you are on...one computer I used did the same thing, the other allowed me to access the pdf.

Cherri

[Deanna]

This is a great block - love how you mixed the print stripes with the solids. Deanna