The Color Connection

Christine's Color Connection

A newsletter for quilters in love with color

November 2011

In This Issue

This month features a look at new-neutral color, my "Workshop Schedule," and info on my Tahoe Retreat in June, 2012 (see "Scraps," below).

The Quilter's Color Club describes and illustrates the color concept of intensity, which is key to understanding new neutrals. You can find my book on my website, at C&T, and in quilt shops and bookstores.

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New Neutrals

When I was writing Color for Your Home for Sunset Books, I came up with the term "new neutrals" to describe colors that are so low in intensity that they function as true neutrals. (True neutrals are pure black, white, and gray.) Put another way, new neutrals are true neutrals that have been "colorized," or pure colors that have been "neutralized." New neutrals are popular in decorating because they are low-key and easy to live with. In quilt design, they add richness to the mix and provide visual relief in the presence of stronger colors. To see what I'm talking about, take a look at these images:

In the first block, the center square and striped fabrics contain new-neutral colors, while the dot and the outer batik are more colorful.

dessert block

In "A Block for Aaron," below, the "loopy" Marcia Derse fabric (love her fabrics!) is new-neutral green. The center and outer batiks are also examples of neutralized color.

Aaron's block

The Marcia Derse fabrics on the front and back of this bag are great examples of new neutrals; the stripe has both new-neutral and more intense colors. Black, a true neutral, gives the design "snap."

The collaged right front of this vest, made using my "Crossover Collage Vest" pattern (available on my website) has lots of neutralized colors. The left front and back are both cut from one piece of new-neutral Japanese fabric.

where quiet colors

Finally, I took the snapshots below at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, CA, when I was there for a cousin's wedding. (The wedding was lovely, and the ocean was gorgeous.) In the 1920s and 30s, there was a small but thriving beach community here on the coast. The state bought the property in the early 70s, and since then, a nonprofit has been slowly rehabbing many of the buildings. I loved the new-neutral colors of the landscape and the weathered buildings, with touches of brighter color. They illustrate the natural beauty of new neutrals, and, just as important, the role of colorful accents in low-intensity schemes. I can't imagine either image without the touches of blue-gray and red paint in the first photo, or the brilliant blooming color in the second one.

Crystal cove 3

What's the take-away lesson on new neutrals? In quilt design, new-neutral combinations are cohesive because the colors are similarly muted. But too much sameness will make a quilt look flat and dull. Strive to combine new neutrals that vary somewhat in intensity, and be sure to use a variety of values (lights, mediums, darks), patterns, and textures to make your design come alive.

Scraps

MCall's smaller cover

Look for my article on visual temperature in the January/February issue of McCall's Quilting.

Also keep an eye out for my article "Black Opals and Ribbon Candy" in the January issue of American Quilter.

To learn more about my lectures and workshops, check out my website. I'll be adding two new workshops in the new year and a new lecture, "Art to Wear, Art on the Wall."

I'm finalizing plans for my "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" retreat at South Lake Tahoe, June 17-20. We'll be staying at the Big Pines Mountain House, which has a recently remodeled classroom, bathrooms, and kitchen. The price for the workshop, double occupancy, and all meals is $575; a single room is available for an additional $90. My January newsletter will include all the details.

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

December 4, Grass Valley, CA, "Elegant Circles" workshop, Sugar Pine Quilt Shop. This is my last workshop of the year. To sign up and receive the supply list, go to sugarpinequiltshop.com or call the shop at (530) 272-5308.

Elegant CC, final

2012

January 5 & 7, Hanford, CA, "Color!" lecture, "Color Camp" workshop, Common Threads Quilt Guild

February 14 & 15, Folsom, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Black Opals and Ribbon Candy" workshop, Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild

February 26, Grass Valley, CA, "Transparent Circles" workshop (new!), Sugar Pine Quilt Shop, (530) 272-5308

March 9 & 10, San Luis Obispo, CA, "Color!" lecture, "Color Camp" workshop, San Luis Obispo Quilters Guild

March 17, Folsom, CA, "Color Camp," workshop, Meissner Sewing Center

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

April 26, Nipomo, CA, "Color!" lecture, Olde Towne Quilters of Nipomo

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

May 21 & 22, Merced, CA, "Color!" lecture, "Color Camp" workshop

June 17-20, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects Retreat." Learn to create the special effects of transparency, opalescence, luminosity, luster, and depth in your quilts using fabrics that have light and life, all in a gorgeous Lake Tahoe, CA, setting. I'll be sending a special e-mail after the holidays, with details.

June 23, Oakland, Ca, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, African American Quilt Guild of Oakland

July 9-13, Sisters, OR, "A Quilter's Affair." I'll be teaching "Color Camp" (two days), "Lotus Leaves Squared" (one day), and "Christine's Collage Vest" (one day).

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

July 21, San Rafael, CA, "Color Camp" workshop, Mt. Tam Quilt Guild

July 26, Groveland, CA, "Color Camp" workshop, Pine Needlers Quilt Guild

August 27 & 28, Santa Clara, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Luminosity" workshop

September 9 & 10, Aptos, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Luminosity" workshop, Pajaro Valley Quilt Association

September 20 & 21, Benicia, CA, "Magic Fabrics, Special Effects" lecture, "Lumiosity" workshop, Carquinez Straits Stitchers

October 5-7, Weaverville, CA, gallery lecture, show, and workshop, Main Street Gallery

Coming in the Next Issue

I'll be writing about value (the lightness or darkness of color) in the next issue. The adage is true: "Value does all of the work, and color gets all of the credit." If something in a quilt, traditional or contemporary, isn't working, it's probably an issue with value, not color.

If you've received this newsletter, you may have 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