We're having fun with EPP (English Paper Piecing) hexagon blocks in the
Glorious Hexagons Quilt Along and posting and sharing pictures. Initially, I was piecing hexagons with random fabrics from various fabric companies just to get into the swing of the program and the technique. This "hexing with abandon" method can be crazy-fun, however, if you're looking for a more cohesive, unified look, you might consider creating and working with a
color board.
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| Color board of cool colors; primarily blues and greens. |
A tip that JoAnne at
Paper Pieces suggested before I started the
Glorious Hexagon Quilt Along, was to pull two or three "inspiration fabrics"—in essence, a color board—from which to base color and fabric choices. Most focal prints from a fabric collection are great choices for this. Above is a cool color board and below is a warm color board.
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| Color board of warm colors: yellows, oranges, reds. |
From these main fabrics, you can add the supporting cast of coordinating prints and blenders. Here is how I flushed out these two color boards with other fabrics.
In the first, more blues and greens were added... light and dark... and a white to add a coolness and a sparkle... also a yellow-orange/cheddar-colored fabric to add a little zing (orange is the complement of blue).
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| Ensemble of fabrics for the blue/green color palette. |
When choosing other ensemble members for your color board, remember the
Elements of Design: value, texture and color; and the
Principles of Design: scale, variety, contrast and repetition. This will make your color board interesting yet cohesive. Below is the warm color palette.
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| Ensemble of fabrics for the warm color palette. |
Here is another color board that is grounded in grays (white, black and grays) with accents of rich, bright jewel tones.
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| Whites, grays and blacks highlighted with bright colors. |
Blender fabrics do a great job giving breadth and depth to this grayscale color board.
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| Adding interest and extending the color range with tonal blenders. |
Hexagon block #19 Nicole illustrates the use of the red, blue and green tonal blenders with black/white prints.
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| #19 Nicole block from "The New Hexagon" book and Glorious Hexagons. |
For another take on the concept of color boards,
here is a video of Nathan Turner for Pottery Barn, creating and working with a
mood board. It's just a matter of starting with things you like and auditioning additions so everything goes together.
As a fabric collection is built around a main fabric or focus print, a color board provides a roadmap for choosing other fabrics and coordinates. So, you might try orchestrating your Glorious Hexagon symphony around a color board to help with the fabric decision-making process. If you like the "Hexie with Abandon" approach, then have fun with the process and see where your hexagons take you. Nothing wrong with either path!
