Oh the choosing of the fabric!

[Lisalou1965]

I am stumped. Husband has asked me if I would make a "trip around the world" quilt for our bed. It will be the biggest quilt I have ever done, and the pattern requires 13 fabrics, plus backing. I have thought about it, and have some idea of the colour combo I like, but how to go about choosing 13 fabrics that will go well together? I am maybe not making sense - if that is the case, please tell me, and I will try to make myself more clear. Thing is, this is going to be quite an investment in fabric, for me, and I really don't want to bugger it up! Can anyone give me tips on how to start?
I have gone on patternjam and put this together, but when looking at actual fabrics online (where I can't really put them against each other) I get really lost!

Lisa x

[Lilian]

It might be worth looking at jelly rolls, they usually go together 

[Lilian]

Would this be to your liking? 

[Kad]

The best bit of advice I got to help choosing colours was to find a fabric that you liked the colours of,  but not necessarily the pattern of. Then use the coloured circles,  ( can't remember what they're called  ), in the selvedge to assist in the choosing of other fabrics. I find this works well if you have access to fabrics that you can touch, but no use if they're on a screen.

[BrendaP]

If that image is a full size quilt, then the squares are going to be at least 5" x 5" finished so jelly rolls won't be wide enough, and it's unlikely that layer cakes cut into 4 will be big enough either.  You need at least FQs if not bigger.

Best I can suggest is getting them all from the same source so that you can at least compare the images.

Doughty's are usually as good on prices as anywhere.  Possibly you could send them an image (by snail mail to avoid differences in the way different screens show colours) with all the colours you want to include and ask them to select.

IMO small-medium prints and batiks are usually best but ask that each fabric is all from the same bit of the colour wheel, ie all orange, or all blue or all whatever.  Don't go for multi-coloured designs as that's likely to throw out the planned design.

[Renegade Sewist]

I'd be looking for a charm pack in a color scheme you like, maybe 2 or 3, ad being about the least expensive way to get swatches to try out. You'll at least be able to use them if they are a dud.

I can't imagine buying online for a big quilt unless I got everything from the same collection.

[Iminei]

Please Please Please DONT go anywhere near a jelly roll!

Yes they're put together so the colours blend with each other (Sometimes) but the second you open the pack the fabrics will start to fray and they're not always cut very accurately ... Long 1/4's cuts of yardage is the way to go.

[LeilaMay]

I'd hang on until you could go to a quilt shop in person. There is so much discrepancy when looking at colours online.
Good luck with it - lovely idea
LeilaMay

[Lowena]

I, on the other hand,love jelly rolls and charm packs.
I have made 4 superb ( to work on ) quilts completely with jelly rolls and never had any fraying or unevenly cut strips. Obviously it's your choice and good luck, whichever avenue you go down

[BrendaP]

I have made 4 superb ( to work on ) quilts completely with jelly rolls and never had any fraying or unevenly cut strips.

Then @Lowena  you have been very lucky!

Another question to address with precuts which have been cut with pinking sheers or a pinked blade is where do you sew your 1/4 inch seam?  From the innermost edge, the middle or the outer edge of the zig-zags?  Or cut them off?

[Lowena]

Re: zig zags. As long as you are consistent it doesn't matter whether you measure and sew the peaks or the troughs.

[Lisalou1965]

Thank you my friends for all the input. I have to go to a real fabric shop to get something my mother has asked for, so I think I will try (if husband dearest doesn't faint at the size of the shop) to buy the fabric for the front. For those asking at the beginning, I am looking at doing 4'' squares, making up at 80 inch, including borders. Will take this to my diary once I have the time and the fabric to start!!!

Lx