In my recent post about choosing fabrics for a quilt, I talked about finding an inspiration image or item and making a whole stack based on that. With this quilt though, I used a different method, which could likely be called ‘let’s just make a couple of blocks that we really like and see what happens’.
Now, I don’t think my mind was completely blank. We probably always have a subconscious idea of what we’d like to make, it maybe just isn’t clear or right at the surface. This could be frustrating, but let’s not let it be! I think the thing I’m most passionate about (as it relates to quilting) is that I want to make, and want to inspire YOU to make, quilts from your heart. What I mean by that is quilts that really express something. This could be as simple as just being your unique way of mixing color, or the types of fabrics you like. There’s lots of people out there making quilts, and every one of them has value, but I want you to make quilts that you really like and are proud of!
But I’ll stop with that for now, because really we’re here to see the progression of fabrics I used in this quilt!
These were my first four blocks. My pattern (which you can get for free up there on the sidebar), gives direction for making four star blocks at a time. This is how I usually quilt. It works well for me because I like to use a bit of chain piecing for efficiency, but also want to keep my options open for tweaking my color choices. So I don’t cut out more than four blocks at a time.
I didn’t have a conscious theme in mind, but I think it might have been cottage medium tones with a hint of granny country… lol is that a style?
The one thing I did do though was CHOOSE FABRICS I LOVED! I think this is essential when starting your first four blocks! Don’t think you’re gonna use up those mediocre pieces that you kinda wish you hadn’t bought and maybe they’d look good in these blocks. They might! But now is not the time to try them out! Start with eight fabrics that you really like!
So above here is pretty much my first fabrics. All of these are pieces I LOVE. I didn’t overthink if the whole quilt was gonna look like this, it’s just really important that you’re enjoying making them and liking them.
Here’s that one extra naughty fifth star that snuck in somehow… no explanation except I loved it! I’ll say it again, this is so important in your first blocks! You need to really like them, so don’t be saving your favorite fabrics for some other day… use them here! You’ll only use a bit of them right?!
Here’s my next group. Eight more fabrics because you’re making four blocks and you need both backgrounds and stars. I’m again choosing fabrics I really like, but kind of expanding on the previous color story. I think it’s great to add different shades of each color. So for example I had the pink floral in the first stack, so I added a slightly warmer pink in this next stack. I’m not adding fire engine red or civil war rust though, it’s kind of growing a theme on it’s own.
And again eight more fabrics. There’s a black! You know the brides saying about ‘something borrowed, something blue?’ Well I believe in ‘something gingham, something black.’ I’m still following the theme of using fabrics I love. Honestly it pains me bit because some of these fabrics I don’t have much of! But if I’ve learned anything it’s that using them up is by far the best route because you know what? They’re more than just a fabric you really like! If you put all the fabrics you love together, then you’re telling your story and your quilts automatically have more impact and depth and meaning…
So by now I’ve got about 12 blocks or so and the photo above is the fabrics I’ve used. I love it, but is it maybe veering just a tiny bit too soft and boring? And that blue stripe piece four up from the bottom? I only used it once as a star and decided it was a bit too bright so I just didn’t use it again, no biggie.
So now above we have my next bunch, which I think are a tiny bit punchier colors, and I added that dark navy gingham again just cuz I was digging it and wanted more of it. That chartreuse color in the middle is my go to shade when I want to add some punch to my quilts. I’d say I add it in almost every quilt.
And my final bunch of fabrics! There’s only six instead of eight like the other groups… hmm… can’t remember why. But maybe that was all the blocks I needed to make it the size I wanted? Anyways, the far left fabric is another repeat because I really liked that color in there as well. And that orange second from the right is a less predicable choice for me, but I really like it!
And here’s the final quilt! Small disclaimer, I think there are a couple more fabrics I used that somehow didn’t end up in any of the fabric photos, but hopefully this still gave you a little insight into my process of choosing fabrics!
One more thing, for most all of the fabrics I cut out enough for one star and one background. So each fabric is used once as a star and once as a background. There are a few I used more often but that was my general rule. You could definitely get away with less variety of fabrics and make more stars out of each fabric. I wanted quite a scrappy look on this one so I used a lot of different fabrics.
If you have other questions about choosing fabrics, please write in the comments or send me an email through the contact form, because I’d really like to help with this aspect of quilting. The only way to do that is to learn to understand what the road blocks are for you! Or maybe you have tips that work for you, please do share!
Thank you for sharing this pattern. You have a gift pulling fabrics. These are fabrics we have in our stash for years and you make them look fabulous!
Thank you! Ever so helpful to see someone else’s process from beginning to end. I would ever so agree on that first block being something that sings, or for me, it’s a no go.
I love hearing about your thought process in choosing fabrics for this quilt! Being able to articulate it so well is helpful to all quilters. I think another significant thing to remember is the scale of the prints. All yours are small florals, stripes or checks. I see you have used a couple of big, blousy florals, but just for backgrounds. I think that is important to remember. I have this quilt on my list and will certainly be only making four blocks at a time. BTW “Granny country”- that could catch on, don’t you think?
Your color choices evoke a warm and cozy feeling that invites you to snuggle into it. Thanks so much for sharing your block instructions, I also enjoyed the fabric choice discussion. 🙂Quilts from the heart. 🧡💛
Your post is so helpful! I appreciate you explaining your process of choosing fabrics. This is such a darling quilt! I think you’ve inspired me for my next project!
Love your quilt! I am so inspired to make one! Thanks so much 🥰
Thank you for letting us in on your process! I love your advice of basically not getting ahead of yourself. I’m definitely in the camp of making a few blocks to see how I’m feeling about the process and what I’ve chosen and then moving on from there. I made two blocks yesterday both of which used fabric from a quickly diminishing Denyse Schmidt fat quarter that I was sent as a gift with a fabric order. It quickly became a favorite but I worry every time I cut into it….as in maybe I should actually purchase some myself. 🙂 Question: do you cut out your background fabric after squaring up the star points? I hope I didn’t miss that in your tutorial. Thank you!
Maybe you want to come to my house and do a fabric pull for me??? ♥
I probably need to add to my stash first though…
i am in love with your star hollow quilt and your exquisite fabric pull. thank you so much for sharing the pattern block. could you please tell me the name of that sweet little cream colored fabric with the schoolhouses on it in the third picture down? thank you, cathleen
Thank you so much for sharing! I have been in a rut only using a single fabric collection to make a quilt. I tired of it so much that I quit sewing and buying fabric for awhile. Your blog is like fresh air to me. What a thought, using only the fabrics that you really love! You are an inspiration. I’m going to begin pulling my beloved fabrics to make the Star Hollow Quilt.
I just love this pattern and appreciate seeing how you put it all together! It’s time to go look at (and maybe add to ) my stash! 🙂
Thanks for the beautiful pattern and all the tips!
I really enjoy seeing your process, and working in small batches is such a great idea.
Thanks for sharing your process.
When you’re shopping and the fabric “speaks to you” what amount do you purchase?
That is an excellent question! I took a class from Freddy Moran years ago and she advised no less than 2 yards, and if you *adore* the fabric, 5. I usually get fabric 2 yards at a time because then you have enough that you won’t run out over the course of making 1 quilt. And if you mourn when you use it all, buy 5 yards more!
I love your quilts and fabric choices. Thanks for sharing how you put it all together.
Granny country, that’s me!
All of your tips have been so helpful, thank you for posting them. I love this pattern and hope it comes through this time. Will keep you posted. 😉😊
Thank you so much for showing your process in such detail! I find this post super inspiring. I have a pretty easy time making quilts for other people who don’t necessarily have the same color/style preferences as I do. But when I want to make a quilt for myself I tend to get so stuck on fabric choices. I’m going to try this method and try to really focus on choosing fabrics I love.
I’m really happy with this pattern! It goes together so quickly and easily.
As to fabric selection-for my first block I chose fabrics that I “liked” and that “went together well”. No surprise, it was a bit of a dud. Lesson learned. I am surprised at how hard it is for me to not know where this quilt is going, but I’ll persevere !😊
you are gifted. thanks for sharing your thoughts here!
This post offered great insight into your fabric selection process. Thank you! I’m wondering if you know the fabric line or name of the pink calico with the tiny white and blue flowers that appears in the third photo (fourth from the top). ( know the fabric may be older and from your stash and therefore you may not know the name but I thought I would ask.