Christine's Color Connection
A newsletter for quilters in love with colorJune 2011

In This Issue 

This month's issue features a closer look at "magic fabrics," my time at Quilt Market, and my "Workshop Schedule." 

cover, small, june

The Quilter's Color Club includes a special feature on Magic Fabrics and a number of quilts that display special effects like transparency, luminosity, and luster. You can find my book on my website, at C&T, and in quilt shops and bookstores.


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Magic Fabrics, Special Effects

Early in my teaching experience, I found myself describing fabrics that add light and vitality to a quilt as "magic fabrics." Some of these fabrics suggest a light source from below the surface (luminosity) or bouncing off the surface (luster). Others imply that see-through colors overlap to create new color mixtures (transparency). 

 

Magic fabrics are "shot with light," and they typically have warm colors (cool colors can convey light but rarely warmth). "Squares and Stripes," above, has lots of magical fabrics: hand-painted pieces from Elin Noble, woven plaids from India, and commercial batiks. But also notice the "plain" stripes; they calm the free-form fabrics and give the eye a place to rest. 

 

Here's another example, a section of my quilt "Parfait Dreams":

 

parfait 

 

The gradated fabric around the plaid center square shifts from magenta to orange to yellow, creating a warm glow. The light-value ikat wash fabric in the adjoining block has the illusion of light coming from behind. I think both fabrics "make magic" in this traditional quilt.

 

Below are three very different magic fabrics: 

 

roses, contemp

The variations in color and value (lightness and darkness) give this fabric an ethereal glow. When cut up, it won't look like roses, but it will suggest a light source.

 

 

moda smolder 

This Moda fabric has a traditional jacquard pattern, but the subtle mottling is what makes it magical. I used this fabric in my "Woven-Color Vest," a project in my book.

 

 

moda blend 

There's a charming wavy dot pattern in this variegated Moda fabric that my camera didn't capture because I pulled back to show the range of colors. You'll see this fabric in my article "Black Opals & Ribbon Candy," coming soon in American Quilter magazine. Also look for my article on magic fabrics in American Patchwork & Quilting in the fall.

 

To Market I Went! 

                                 

Oh my, what an experience! I'd never been to Market, just to Festival in Houston and Long Beach. My friend Heidi Emmet and I soaked up the experience, and here's what I gleaned:

 

· Crisp, clear colors abound! In addition to Amy Butler's collections (I was able to talk to her about fabric design, and she is lovely), there were lots of fresh designs from other young designers. Their booths were amazing, right out of the pages of the best decorating magazines.

 

· Organic shapes and low-intensity colors had a big presence, too. My favorite designs were by Marcia Derse from Troy (I also talked to her about fabric design, and she was just as nice). I used one of her designs in the market bag I made to collect and carry all my stuff.

 

· Michael Miller had a amazing presentation on color trends, with wondeful fabrics from a multitude of designers. My favorite collection was "Sorbet" (a small portion is below). Each larger-than-life color story was printed on canvas. It was truly a visual feast!

 

        sorbet 

 

C&T arranged a book signing in the Brewer booth, and it was fun to meet quilters from everywhere, including Germany and Australia. Heidi took these pics:

 

        the line-up!    just me 

 

 

Transparency Workshop

 

On June 25 and 26, I'll be teaching a two-day workshop on "Transparency" at Sugar Pine Quilt Shop in Grass Valley (a destination quilt  shop, trust me). In transparency, one color appears to lie over another, and where the two colors overlap, a third is formed. The workshop starts with a crash course in color on the first day, then students make three simple mock-blocks, followed by two more challenging ones. On the second day, everyone begins a quilt using one of two patterns, including "Galaxy" from my book. You can sign up through the link above; the fee is $85 for two days.

 

Here's a sample exercise, an off-center ninepatch:

 

off-center ninepat 

 

  


Lecture and Workshop Schedule  

 

Note: You can often attend guild meetings and take their workshops if you aren't a member. If you're interested in any of these lectures or classes, let me know, and I'll put you in touch with the guild.

 

2011

 June 11 & 12, Lakeport, CA, "Color!" lecture, "Color Camp" workshop, Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild

 

June 15 & 18, Danville, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Luminosity" workshop, Diablo Valley Quilters

 

June 25 & 26, Grass Valley, CA, "Exploring Transparency: A Two-Day Workshop," Sugar Pine Quilt Shop

 

July 16, Rocklin, CA, "Color Camp" workshop, Meissner Sewing

 

July 17, Grass Valley, CA, "Happy Jacket" workshop, Sugar Pine Quilt Shop

 

July 20, Pleasant Hill, CA, "Meet the Teachers," Northern California Quilt Council, www.ncqc.net 

 

July 20 & 23, Santa Rosa, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Transparency" workshop, Moonlight Quilters of Santa Rosa

 

August 18 & 20, Quincy, CA, "Color!" lecture, "Color Camp" workshop, Quincy Crazy Quilters

 

August 29 & 30, Loomis, CA,  "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Luminosity" workshop, Pioneer Quilters Guild

 

September 10, Concord, CA, "Color Camp" workshop, Thimble Creek Quilt Shop

 

September 11, Concord, CA, "Lotus Leaves Squared" workshop, Thimble Creek Quilt Shop

 

September 17, Paradise, CA, "Color Camp" workshop, Morning Star Quilts

 

October 11 & 12, Modesto, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Luminosity" workshop, Country Crossroads Quilters

 

November 2, Ukiah, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, Grapevine Quilter's Guild

 

 

2012

February 14 & 15, Folsom, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, workshop TBD, Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild

 

March, San Luis Obispo, CA, "Color!" lecture, "Color Camp" workshop, San Luis Obispo Quilters Guild

 

April 22 & 24, Arroyo Grande, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, workshop TBD, Central Coast Quilters

 

May 14 & 15, Auburn, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Black Opals & Ribbon Candy" workshop, Foothill Quilters Guild

 

July 19 & 20, Santa Rosa, CA, lecture and workshop TBD, Santa Rosa Quilt Guild 

 

 


Coming in the Next Issue. . .   

Next month I'll focus on visual temperature, a powerful concept in classic color theory. Even if you never use a color wheel, understanding warm and cool colors (and how to balance them) will change the way you choose and combine fabrics forever.

 

If you've received this newsletter, you probably attended one of my workshops or bought one of my books, patterns, or color wheels. It's easy to opt out, below, but I hope you'll stick around to see what's in store. It's all about color, using it, enjoying it, and sharing it with other quilters!

 

Thank-you! 

 

Contact Info

Christine Barnes

cebarnes@sbcglobal.net
www.christinebarnes.com