I was gifted several truly hideous fabrics (in my opinion), and they sat in my stash for several years. The people who gave me the fabric kept asking what I was making with it. After several years of avoiding said fabric i suddenly had a brilliant idea...I could put all of the fabric i hated together in the same quilt! It would free up valuable storage space in my stash, the people who gifted it to me would feel happy i used the fabrics, and I would have the perfect picnic quilt! (I wanted to make a picnic quilt but the idea of putting a beautiful quilt on the ground to get muddy or stained with food made me not want to make one. This was the perfect solution because I didn't care if those awful fabrics got stained or anything. It is a wonderful picnic quilt. It is monstrous with the clashing of so many ugly fabrics but somehow it is so ugly it feels less objectionable. I use it several times a year with my nieces and nephews. ❤since then i have used ugly fabrics i am gifted to make cat mats and doggy blankets. i highly recommend putting all of your hideous fabric together to create something you don't mind using in ways you wouldn't want a gorgeous quilt used.
When I have ugly fabric I put it all in one dye bath, which overdyes the background into a cohesive color, like light blue or pink. Then it looks like it goes together.
Yes! Ugly fabric or fabric that I look at and wonder "why did I ever buy that?" is perfect for gifts, and items that will see hard use, as I am not attached to it - and you never know, it may be to someone else's taste. I've also used it as runner/wall-hanging backing (parts you won't often see). Or maybe use it in a jelly-roll style rug or a toothbrush rug?
Oh my, I’m sitting here laughing my head off. What a great story. For me, I see ugly, hideous fabric or yarn (I crochet too) as a challenge to see if I can somehow find a way to improve its look or maybe simply disguise it well. But you have a fantastic idea here. Thanks for sharing.
168 views in 22 minutes…you are definitely liked! I say this over and over you have so many followers because you are undeniably sweet, kind & impossible to be controversial, as you welcome everyone’s opinions. Then again…if anyone was unkind in their comments to you, we would put on our capes and come to your rescue! 😊❤
How is it that you pack in SO much practical, valuable information in such a short time, yet I don't feel overwhelmed by it? I'll tell you how -- you're a great teacher! I don't know why you don't yet have a million followers. People are missing out! Thank you, Nikki.
Thanks for this, I have always sort of figured this out, so it is nice to have it confirmed. There was a store here in Prince George where I live that had a sign outside that said “We buy junk and sell antiques” 😂
!. I made a quilt I thought was hideous. We offered a donation quilt to a group, and they picked my hideous quilt. Beauty is in the eye of the beholding
I love the swatch clip idea! My husband inherited a "scrap" quilt from his grandma (this was back in the 80s). That quilt was the biggest hodgepodge of every type of fabric, color, and print that you could think of. It wasn't even sewn straight. But it was the warmest blanket we have ever owned.
I've been thinking I needed some directions on how to select fabric for a quilt, and here you come to rescue. ❤ I have been hand sewing since I was 6 and machine sewing since I was 12, I'll be 61 in about 3 weeks. I've never tried to make a quilt but a dear friend moved in with her mother to care for her in her final days. Melding the 2 households together she needed to find homes for a few things, they had 14 crock pots 😂 and her mother was a quilter. She gifted me several Rubbermaid totes of fabric and several banker boxes of her scrap pieces. I've been going through all of it and not sure what went together. I'm going to save your video and look at my fabric again. My friends mom was given only 6 months but with the care my friend gave her mother she was able to have almost 4 more years with her. Her mother taught her therapist how to quilt and she made 110 baby blankets for the local children's hospital. ❤️
100% helpful! Thank you for even just saying - if you don’t like it, don’t use it. Short story time. At hobby lobby last wkd, shopping for a quilt for g-daughter with a 27yo momma with strong opinions. The helpful lady said let me show you what I have sold the most of lately to that age range… she showed me then lowkey judged me for saying “it wouldn’t make me happy to sew with that”… she turned and mumbled “ohhh, there’s limits to what you’re willing to sew with…”. I said “yes I only sew with things that bring me joy.” I infuse my projects with joy and give them with LOVE. No matter unprofessional they look, they seem to give the joy I sewed with ❤
It's funny how people are different. My daughter and I are total opposites. I love bold jewel tones, and she's a muted pastel person. When she got pregnant, I told her to pick out the fabrics because we are that different. I had one piece that I think would look so good with the other colors. Gauging how much I loved it, I knew the answer when I messaged and said, "How about this one?" 😂 🙄 smh. The fabric texture? Now that's a different story. Next time she can get swatches for color only. But, my view, ultimately, was her baby, her quilt. It's just a short time for me.
Just as having a stash is normalized, we also need to normalize buying fabrics on a per project basis. Buying per project will absolutely help those afraid of making "the wrong choices" build the confidence to mix and match fabrics. If the color combo happens in nature it goes together...Mother Nature knows what she's doing.
I live overseas and in an area where I don’t often find certain colors so one Christmas my mom went to a shop and was picking up random fat quarters she thought I’d love. My sister in law rushed over and literally took my mom’s choices out of her hand and then picked out matchy matchy stuff the strictest quilt police would approve of. I didn’t really want colors that would make one quilt. I wanted a variety of fabrics that would go into a number of different quilts. Oh, well… I’ve often used your method of choosing the fabrics although sometimes I experiment for fun. Thanks for sharing your ideas
I do often use precuts but I will always mix with other fabrics. These fabrics are so pricey too. The few tome that I have used only precut in a quilt I find the quilt boring. Great advice.
Call your mom and say that she was right and SIL was wrong. Then with a loud, drama level sigh proclaim to be the bigger person and will keep this secret between the two of you..... Mom will most likely send you a new box of random prints. ❤
I feel like my scrappy quilt tells stories... I will recall how I used these fabrics for this person and made placemats and napkins with these fabrics for this other person, etc. I definitely used a few fabrics that weren't my favorite, but it's okay and I've learned for next time!
Thank you so very much Nikki! I don't care for the Quilting Police to throw thier "Bible "down our throat! I love your tutorials and have learned lots from you 💗 keep up the great work 👍
Thank you for this video. I just recently fell down the quilt rabbit hole. I do struggle with putting fabrics together. I am currently trying to use up scraps. Your tips are really helpful.
Omg! I have found you! I have only just developed an interest in quilts and have made 3 kawandi inspired quilts. I’m now ready to try my hand at traditional quilting and I love your style…a bit whimsical yet absolutely lovely. As a 73 year old woman with pretty unconventional taste I’m sure to learn a great deal from you. Thanks for encouraging individuality!
I am so glad to have found your channel! I am binge watching your videos :). You are an excellent communicator, and very good teacher. I love your style and ideas. I needed a little resbite from quilting, just a little one lol, so you inspired me to make mason jar cozies for my sour dough starter, and bowl covers. I needed that Kitchenaid cover for sure! Now I'm making some for my daughter. So much fun. Yes, the stash should be used before buying more fabric. Your idea to just pick one fabric you like, and then look for others from your stash that work with that is great advice. Sometimes I think quilters try too hard to make quilts that look just like the one you see in the pictures, but you have none of that same fabric, and not enough color matching confidence to create that quilt from what you have. Anyway my 2 favorite quilts I ever made were made with scraps. A quilt from old jeans and flannel that was a gift for my adult son, who said "this is a wicked awesome quilt mom" . The other one was with all bits of scraps of mostly dark rich colors to look like the night sky, and bright colors that made all the star patterns. I think its because I really didn't need to follow any rules, that I had so much fun making them!
I’m right with you! I found this gem of a channel and was instantly hooked. I’ve been binge watching ever since. Nikki is knowledgeable, fun, full of the best ideas and a terrific teacher. ❤️👍❤️
Though I only sew but do not quilt, I love all the advices you give about sewing, cutting, fabrics and organization. You are so friendly and open-minded. I enjoy every Video you send. Greetings from Germany 😍
Yes! Explaining NOT to be too literal! I may have to play that clip of the video over and over again to apply it to sewing, fabric, decorating, and sooooo many other categories! 😇 I’m a free spirit too and I have a hard time finding the right words to get my point across, that I DON’T want cookie cutter styles or fabrics, or clothing Thank youuuu! 🙂
Love your way of choosing fabric. I just finished a scrappy quilt and used whatever scrap suited my fancy at the moment. Thought it would turn out terrible. I really love it. It's for a child and is very similar to an I Spy quilt. I used 1/2 square triangles cut from patches of strips sewn together with a muslin background. My last dinosaur quilt for my great grandson was dinosaurs simply appliqued to a green large vine print. Looks like the dinosaurs are in the jungle. My advice to all is to just let your creative juices flow. Be yourself because you all are beautiful in your own way.
Mom, here :-) I found this very helpful! Explains many of the choices I've made in the past and why I've always tended to avoid traditional fabrics and quilts (though many are very beautiful!)
Hey Nikki 😀 Thank you for your sound advise. I completely agree with you about choosing what you like, and (as I have learned too) DO NOT put any fabric, print or solid, even if it "goes", into your quilt if YOU don't like it. I did that once because a friend gave me some scraps, and I felt obligated to use it...BAD IDEA!!! It did, and still does, bother me! I'm annoyed every time I see it. I'm going to donate it, and I've already eliminated the remainder of that particular fabric from my stash. I'm not making that mistake again! 😛
Oh how I wish you lived next door & could help me over a cup of coffee/tea. 😉 This advise you give is so helpful. I’m getting ready to do a quilt for a special person & now I know I don’t have to use ALL the 10” squares but to supplement other colors. Thank you! 💞
I learned colour and pattern matching through scrapbooking. Somehow getting it wrong with paper is less scary than fabric and when I moved to quilting I already had some confidence to choose my fabrics like you do. One thing you didn’t mention is getting a tonal balance. This is something people often miss. They will put two fabrics next to each other thinking they have contrast only to find it doesn’t work because the contrasting colours have the same tone. Or they will have all medium tones and their quilt will look quite flat as a result. I will take a black and white photo of my fabrics to check that I have the tonal balance correct for the quilt I want to make.
Loved this video. Your suggestions were spot on. If you like a set of fabrics, go with them. Trust yourself. It's your quilt, make it your way. ----My major problem is beyond colors. I can put a set of colors together...the problem for me is finding a pattern to put those colors together. If you have that solution for that problem, I'd love to hear it. (My personal nemesis is HSTs. I can't make one right to save my life, even with fancy, expensive rulers, so I just have to find patterns without triangles. LOL)
Hello from Brisbane, Australia. I will say that I don't have a lot of ugly fabrics lying around, most of my fabrics have been purchased with a project in mind, most are sitting waiting for that project to happen as I work full time. I typically buy fabrics, wadding, and thread only when I need them as everything is so expensive where I live. Cotton fabrics start at around $19 mtr AUD (just over 1 yard) and all nice patterned fabrics are typically around $25 - $39 AUD, solids @ $9.00 AUD, wadding is expensive and my favourite thread (Gutermann) is almost too expensive to buy now @ $5 for 110 yards. Prices have really increased since 2020 so I choose wisely. Even flat fats are $5-$7 AUD. Pretty much the only time I buy fabrics and tools is when they are on a decent special. So I buy less and try to get around to doing my projects more, and cherish the fabrics that I have in my stash. Thank you Nikki for sharing all your wonderful ideas on what to do with the scraps of fabric, now I keep a lot more of those scraps and would like to start Working on a quilt at some point, down the track once I finish my other projects . You are very inspiring ☺
Thanks Nicki, that was helpful...trust my instincts and likes, leave some fabric colours out, go by mood and color saturation...it was good to have words to describe what I was doing Nicki and permission to be me ❤😊
When my 3 younger sisters and I were growing up (I’m 66), my grandmother made most of our clothes. For Christmas one year, she gave each of us a lined robe, made with scraps from all the clothes she’d made each of us. My sisters actually held on to their robes and gave them to their daughters, but I had all boys! 😂 I have no clue what happened to my robe.
This is a great video! I struggle with fabric colors and often feel guilty if I don’t use something that was given to me or I bought in a pack. I really don’t like the purple hues at all either and basically refuse to use it in my decor, but have several friends who do like it so I use those fabrics I don’t like in mug rugs, little zipper bags, etc as little give away gifts.
Your videos always make me smile. I shared this one with my quilt group because we all struggle with color choices (some more than others). Your advice is sound and ultimately helps quilters to save money and the planet.🌎 thanks for sharing your quilting world view.
I have purchased some precuts but only when they are on sale for half off. Then, I have to convince myself that not using all 42 pieces in the same quilt is all right -- that the world will not end if I pick and chose just a few, add a fabric to calm the colors down, or use the jelly roll pieces as binding or borders on a totally different quilt. (When I first started quilting, I didn't have the confidence to think for myself, but I've relaxed enough to realize I have pretty decent instincts and that life will go on if I end up without enough strips and have to cut one from a similar fabric.)
I love the pass it on idea if you hate or are done with the fabric. I have a group of 3 of us, and we pass and share our fabrics. I love that for instance I had this absolutely adorable glow in the dark ghosts boxing fabric that I made two Halloween quilts out of and it was passed on so it can be enjoyed with two other quilters so it will be in multiple houses. It also saves us money with all three of us sharing.
I know i am going to make a quilt for a granddaughter this winter. She likes greens and purples. Ive known what i wanted to do for months. So every time i go anywhere with fabric I search. I buy 1/3 of a yard usually. I hunt through any clearance remnants. I will have a lot of extra when I start putting it together, but thats ok. My normal fabric shops have new choices every few months.
Thank you for making this page. ☺️ So happy I found it. I love sewing but without a sewing machine It’s so time consuming and tedious. Could you please recommend one? Maybe even share which sewing machine you use, your favorite one?🙏🏻I am looking to buy a machine but I am clueless in that area. 😄
Love going to my local House clearance warehouse and look through sheets, duvets, pillow cases and purchasing them to sew with. Love being able to get flannelette or brushed cotton sheets to back quilts with as well. Cheaper than buying from shops and they are also bringing recycling into my crafting. Love watching your videos as well.
I just had this happen. I picked out fabric for a baby quilt. Made the quilt top and was so disappointed. The olives just sort of disappeared. So I go into my stash and found some fabric I bought many years go. Decided to use it and wow!!! It turned out much better. Who would think to shop in your own stash?😂
Hi Nikki, you have a keen eye for grouping fabrics. The main print should become the "focus" of your quilt or the star of the show. It's fun to audition fabrics to get the look that you want. Find a combination that is pleasing to you and run with it. Another great video, thank you.
This is great advice. I am new to quilting. I’m working on my second quilt. The first was a kit from Fat Quarter Shop that went with a video series to teach quilting. The second was made from pre-cuts. At this point I’m working on trying to be more accurate in cutting and sewing, so the precuts are great. Ultimately I want to work on being more creative and figuring out what I like to make and the colors I want to use. I don’t think of myself as being very creative or good with color.
The best book which helped me get better at putting fabric together is Alex Andersens's Shopping for Fabric. I still refer to it when I have a question about why something isn't working. Your ideas are pretty much in line with hers. I love playing with colors and advise others that the more you do it the better you get. It's a skill like any other. I "collect" fabrics, mostly from thrift stores, mystery grab bags, castoffs from others, men's shirts, and leftovers from my garment sewing. I find precuts too limited in their palette, and scale of prints so I always add and subtract when using them. By themselves they are harmonious, but to my eye rather boring. I learned from Alex's book how to make things more interesting! Keep up the good work.
What a GREAT VIDEO. You are so grounded! I totally agree with everything you shared. I took a course yesterday at my Guild on Improv quilting. I learned that it's not for me. Is it current -yes, is it popular -yes is it fun- sometimes to a small degree. Just not for me right now. I struggle with color and have fallen into the trap of buying precuts JUST IN CASE as they are matchy- matchy and I want to make something and then when I do make something I go purchase what I need JUST IN TIME TO make it.Lots of good advice in this video. ❤❤❤
Thank you so much. Still getting comfortable with choosing materials. I sometimes love all the wild colors and feel oh that is too much. But you know it is so much fun sewing so I think I will keep at it i just leave out red and orange don’t like them. Also trying to build up a stash want to make the house quilt. Thanks Nikki
Hmm I think the batting and the backing make the biggest difference. I use cotton or bamboo battings, and I make sure to use a soft backing. For example, I once used a Ralph Lauren sheet to back a quilt and the thread count was high quality, but the quilt is pretty crispy as a result! So I stick to soft cottons or flannel, or well worn linen tablecloths, things like that. Also, the more you use them, the softer and cozier they get :)
I am in the process of planning a comfort quilt for a friend going through some stuff. Each block will have meaning to them/us personally...northern star, compass, school house, etc., like a sampler. There's no way, really, that it's going to be matchy. I thought I would add a dark sashing between the blocks to preserve the individual meanings.
I learned the hard way…not to put fabrics I don’t like or love in a quilt! And yes, that’s what I see every time I look at the quilt! Fortunately I love the other side, so I can just turn it over!!
I think like you Nikki when it comes to not using fabric I think is ugly. I just want to sew with pretty fabrics or I don't enjoy the process. I donate this fabric to my local church thrift store. I enjoy choosing my own fabrics. I've purchased some pre-cuts but not many. When I make a scrap quilt I select my colors ahead of time and always select a lot of color. I'm planning on making a two colored (three if you count the low volume fabric) scrap quilt as my next project. I know that I'm going to likely get tired of sewing it at some point because it's only 2 colors so I'll have another quilt with more color in it so I can swap back and forth.
I don't buy fabric..... unless its from garage sale. They are clothes or leftovers or curtains or sheets or or or.... "Stash" hahahaha is large bins of "single colors" like "mostly" orange etc. The variety makes me very happy. Box of stripes, box of plaid, box of backs. Amazing how MUch fabric is suddenly free when you say you quilt. )))
Pike: The phrase "coming down the pike" comes from the idea of traveling along a turnpike, a toll road that connected cities and towns before highways. I just lifted that definition off the internet.
I love your “scrappy” quilt! I was trying to see the design. Did you say they are 2 in X 3 1/2 in strips? Sewed alternating using 4 strips/block? I’d love to see it in a pic or even better see a pattern for it!
I have fabric and no patterns. Lol I need patterns for a specific number of solids and prints. Definitely a beginner .. I need one of those ladies for my wonky houses ❤
I love the scrappy quilt you got out of closet! I am going t o attempt to make it! Thanks for the inspiration!!! You are so kind to share ❤ It sounded like you said 2 x 3 inch pieces... is that right? Im looking at it and it seems like maybe 2 x 4? Maybe it's just camera angle? Or maybe I didn't hear correctly 😂
Ugh, deciding colors is so hard. At least with a theme, it makes it easier. I did a Mandelorian helmet quilt for my grandson, so black and shades of gray were easier, but still sorta hard! I can't just go to the store and pick out fabric for no particular reason. I need structure! 😂
I trust my color grouping but I have trouble matching prints. It is obvious to vary them (not all large prints, not all tiny prints, etc.) but when I try it, I second guess my choices and I just usually stop completely.
You are lucky that quilting is such a big thing over there. In Australia I have only 1 or 2 fabric shops and 1 large store. The fabrics are quite expensive, and the ones on sale are usually that because they’re not very nice(in my opinion😉). Because of this I often have fabrics that I’m not really fond of , but it’s that or I don’t quilt. Not the end of the world though.😊
I agree American quilters talk very differently about fabric stashing and fabric shopping. I’ve never seen a quilt cotton on sale I’d actually use 😂 . Only a couple of shops have nice tones to choose from.
I will never be gifted fabrics as I don't know anyone who quilts. I have to buy my fabrics online. OH Boy! I've bought some UGLIES. Last week I sewed 10 yards of ugly fabrics together for a backing and I love it -it felt very liberating. When I squared up the quilt I decided to put the offcuts into the rubbish the I realised I could use them for foundation squares for string quilts no batting required.
Hi Nikki, can you do a video on how to put sashing (I believe is the term) between each quilt block? I’ve sewn for years, but I’m just beginning quilting. I love making wonky blocks, but can’t seem to connect them correctly with strips so that they all line up. UGH! Please help! Thank you for all you do!😊
@@PinCutSew Thank you so much, Nikki! How on Earth did I miss that one! It is going to make my quilting experience so much better! I love all your books, patterns, and especially your videos! I’m know it’s a ton of work to make them, but they are fantastic and I’ve learned so much! Thank you again! 💕
I was gifted several truly hideous fabrics (in my opinion), and they sat in my stash for several years. The people who gave me the fabric kept asking what I was making with it. After several years of avoiding said fabric i suddenly had a brilliant idea...I could put all of the fabric i hated together in the same quilt! It would free up valuable storage space in my stash, the people who gifted it to me would feel happy i used the fabrics, and I would have the perfect picnic quilt! (I wanted to make a picnic quilt but the idea of putting a beautiful quilt on the ground to get muddy or stained with food made me not want to make one. This was the perfect solution because I didn't care if those awful fabrics got stained or anything. It is a wonderful picnic quilt. It is monstrous with the clashing of so many ugly fabrics but somehow it is so ugly it feels less objectionable. I use it several times a year with my nieces and nephews. ❤since then i have used ugly fabrics i am gifted to make cat mats and doggy blankets. i highly recommend putting all of your hideous fabric together to create something you don't mind using in ways you wouldn't want a gorgeous quilt used.
What a great solution. “So ugly, it’s less objectionable”, LOL
When I have ugly fabric I put it all in one dye bath, which overdyes the background into a cohesive color, like light blue or pink. Then it looks like it goes together.
@@PiNkSpRinkLe1 what a great idea!
Yes! Ugly fabric or fabric that I look at and wonder "why did I ever buy that?" is perfect for gifts, and items that will see hard use, as I am not attached to it - and you never know, it may be to someone else's taste. I've also used it as runner/wall-hanging backing (parts you won't often see). Or maybe use it in a jelly-roll style rug or a toothbrush rug?
Oh my, I’m sitting here laughing my head off. What a great story. For me, I see ugly, hideous fabric or yarn (I crochet too) as a challenge to see if I can somehow find a way to improve its look or maybe simply disguise it well. But you have a fantastic idea here. Thanks for sharing.
Love this. Don't go shopping just to go shopping and shop your stash first. Excellent, level headed advice!
168 views in 22 minutes…you are definitely liked! I say this over and over you have so many followers because you are undeniably sweet, kind & impossible to be controversial, as you welcome everyone’s opinions. Then again…if anyone was unkind in their comments to you, we would put on our capes and come to your rescue! 😊❤
Ha, thank you! I’m thankful to receive very, very few unkind comments 🫶🏻
How is it that you pack in SO much practical, valuable information in such a short time, yet I don't feel overwhelmed by it? I'll tell you how -- you're a great teacher!
I don't know why you don't yet have a million followers. People are missing out!
Thank you, Nikki.
Aw thank you 🤗
I totally agree….I also loved the ‘Focus, Nikki!’ Part,
Thanks for this, I have always sort of figured this out, so it is nice to have it confirmed. There was a store here in Prince George where I live that had a sign outside that said “We buy junk and sell antiques” 😂
Haha! That is clever
!. I made a quilt I thought was hideous. We offered a donation quilt to a group, and they picked my hideous quilt. Beauty is in the eye of the beholding
Awwww that’s sweet
I love the swatch clip idea! My husband inherited a "scrap" quilt from his grandma (this was back in the 80s). That quilt was the biggest hodgepodge of every type of fabric, color, and print that you could think of. It wasn't even sewn straight. But it was the warmest blanket we have ever owned.
“Choose one or two colors to leave out“ is great advice.
I've been thinking I needed some directions on how to select fabric for a quilt, and here you come to rescue. ❤ I have been hand sewing since I was 6 and machine sewing since I was 12, I'll be 61 in about 3 weeks. I've never tried to make a quilt but a dear friend moved in with her mother to care for her in her final days. Melding the 2 households together she needed to find homes for a few things, they had 14 crock pots 😂 and her mother was a quilter. She gifted me several Rubbermaid totes of fabric and several banker boxes of her scrap pieces. I've been going through all of it and not sure what went together. I'm going to save your video and look at my fabric again. My friends mom was given only 6 months but with the care my friend gave her mother she was able to have almost 4 more years with her. Her mother taught her therapist how to quilt and she made 110 baby blankets for the local children's hospital. ❤️
Sounds like her mother was a giving person. Hope you have yourself a great Birthday !
@janburkin357 What an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. You touched my ❤️.
100% helpful! Thank you for even just saying - if you don’t like it, don’t use it. Short story time. At hobby lobby last wkd, shopping for a quilt for g-daughter with a 27yo momma with strong opinions. The helpful lady said let me show you what I have sold the most of lately to that age range… she showed me then lowkey judged me for saying “it wouldn’t make me happy to sew with that”… she turned and mumbled “ohhh, there’s limits to what you’re willing to sew with…”. I said “yes I only sew with things that bring me joy.” I infuse my projects with joy and give them with LOVE. No matter unprofessional they look, they seem to give the joy I sewed with ❤
I totally agree and I think this is why I teach instead of sew for others for income - I cannot enjoy sewing with fabrics I don’t like 😂
Great information and everyone’s comments very helpful😊👏
It's funny how people are different. My daughter and I are total opposites. I love bold jewel tones, and she's a muted pastel person. When she got pregnant, I told her to pick out the fabrics because we are that different. I had one piece that I think would look so good with the other colors. Gauging how much I loved it, I knew the answer when I messaged and said, "How about this one?" 😂 🙄 smh. The fabric texture? Now that's a different story. Next time she can get swatches for color only. But, my view, ultimately, was her baby, her quilt. It's just a short time for me.
Just as having a stash is normalized, we also need to normalize buying fabrics on a per project basis. Buying per project will absolutely help those afraid of making "the wrong choices" build the confidence to mix and match fabrics.
If the color combo happens in nature it goes together...Mother Nature knows what she's doing.
Good point!
I totally agree about the 'scraps' and some tutors bringing out their fat 1/4's, they aren't scraps they're fat 1/4's.
I live overseas and in an area where I don’t often find certain colors so one Christmas my mom went to a shop and was picking up random fat quarters she thought I’d love. My sister in law rushed over and literally took my mom’s choices out of her hand and then picked out matchy matchy stuff the strictest quilt police would approve of. I didn’t really want colors that would make one quilt. I wanted a variety of fabrics that would go into a number of different quilts. Oh, well… I’ve often used your method of choosing the fabrics although sometimes I experiment for fun. Thanks for sharing your ideas
I do often use precuts but I will always mix with other fabrics. These fabrics are so pricey too. The few tome that I have used only precut in a quilt I find the quilt boring. Great advice.
Call your mom and say that she was right and SIL was wrong. Then with a loud, drama level sigh proclaim to be the bigger person and will keep this secret between the two of you..... Mom will most likely send you a new box of random prints. ❤
I feel like my scrappy quilt tells stories... I will recall how I used these fabrics for this person and made placemats and napkins with these fabrics for this other person, etc. I definitely used a few fabrics that weren't my favorite, but it's okay and I've learned for next time!
Thank you so very much Nikki! I don't care for the Quilting Police to throw thier "Bible "down our throat! I love your tutorials and have learned lots from you 💗 keep up the great work 👍
Your suggestions are excellent. I agree that following your personal choices will always bring the joy we are looking for 😊
Thank you for this video. I just recently fell down the quilt rabbit hole. I do struggle with putting fabrics together. I am currently trying to use up scraps. Your tips are really helpful.
This is one of the most informative tutorials I have seen! Thank you, Nikki!
Omg! I have found you! I have only just developed an interest in quilts and have made 3 kawandi inspired quilts. I’m now ready to try my hand at traditional quilting and I love your style…a bit whimsical yet absolutely lovely. As a 73 year old woman with pretty unconventional taste I’m sure to learn a great deal from you. Thanks for encouraging individuality!
I am so glad to have found your channel! I am binge watching your videos :). You are an excellent communicator, and very good teacher. I love your style and ideas. I needed a little resbite from quilting, just a little one lol, so you inspired me to make mason jar cozies for my sour dough starter, and bowl covers. I needed that Kitchenaid cover for sure! Now I'm making some for my daughter. So much fun. Yes, the stash should be used before buying more fabric. Your idea to just pick one fabric you like, and then look for others from your stash that work with that is great advice. Sometimes I think quilters try too hard to make quilts that look just like the one you see in the pictures, but you have none of that same fabric, and not enough color matching confidence to create that quilt from what you have. Anyway my 2 favorite quilts I ever made were made with scraps. A quilt from old jeans and flannel that was a gift for my adult son, who said "this is a wicked awesome quilt mom" . The other one was with all bits of scraps of mostly dark rich colors to look like the night sky, and bright colors that made all the star patterns. I think its because I really didn't need to follow any rules, that I had so much fun making them!
I’m right with you! I found this gem of a channel and was instantly hooked. I’ve been binge watching ever since. Nikki is knowledgeable, fun, full of the best ideas and a terrific teacher. ❤️👍❤️
Though I only sew but do not quilt, I love all the advices you give about sewing, cutting, fabrics and organization. You are so friendly and open-minded. I enjoy every Video you send. Greetings from Germany 😍
Yes! Explaining NOT to be too literal!
I may have to play that clip of the video over and over again to apply it to sewing, fabric, decorating, and sooooo many other categories! 😇
I’m a free spirit too and I have a hard time finding the right words to get my point across, that I DON’T want cookie cutter styles or fabrics, or clothing
Thank youuuu! 🙂
Love your way of choosing fabric. I just finished a scrappy quilt and used whatever scrap suited my fancy at the moment. Thought it would turn out terrible. I really love it. It's for a child and is very similar to an I Spy quilt. I used 1/2 square triangles cut from patches of strips sewn together with a muslin background. My last dinosaur quilt for my great grandson was dinosaurs simply appliqued to a green large vine print. Looks like the dinosaurs are in the jungle. My advice to all is to just let your creative juices flow. Be yourself because you all are beautiful in your own way.
So I’m not the only one with fabric scraps in my purse!
Haha! Definitely not
Mom, here :-) I found this very helpful! Explains many of the choices I've made in the past and why I've always tended to avoid traditional fabrics and quilts (though many are very beautiful!)
Hey Nikki 😀
Thank you for your sound advise. I completely agree with you about choosing what you like, and (as I have learned too) DO NOT put any fabric, print or solid, even if it "goes", into your quilt if YOU don't like it. I did that once because a friend gave me some scraps, and I felt obligated to use it...BAD IDEA!!! It did, and still does, bother me! I'm annoyed every time I see it. I'm going to donate it, and I've already eliminated the remainder of that particular fabric from my stash. I'm not making that mistake again! 😛
What an awesome idea to bring a swatch of fabric to the store. I'm definitely doing this ❤
Oh how I wish you lived next door & could help me over a cup of coffee/tea. 😉 This advise you give is so helpful. I’m getting ready to do a quilt for a special person & now I know I don’t have to use ALL the 10” squares but to supplement other colors. Thank you! 💞
Great definition, match vs go with.
The color swatches on the safety pin is a brilliant idea! Thank you!
I learned colour and pattern matching through scrapbooking. Somehow getting it wrong with paper is less scary than fabric and when I moved to quilting I already had some confidence to choose my fabrics like you do. One thing you didn’t mention is getting a tonal balance. This is something people often miss. They will put two fabrics next to each other thinking they have contrast only to find it doesn’t work because the contrasting colours have the same tone. Or they will have all medium tones and their quilt will look quite flat as a result. I will take a black and white photo of my fabrics to check that I have the tonal balance correct for the quilt I want to make.
Yes, good advice 🙌🏻
Loved this video. Your suggestions were spot on. If you like a set of fabrics, go with them. Trust yourself. It's your quilt, make it your way. ----My major problem is beyond colors. I can put a set of colors together...the problem for me is finding a pattern to put those colors together. If you have that solution for that problem, I'd love to hear it. (My personal nemesis is HSTs. I can't make one right to save my life, even with fancy, expensive rulers, so I just have to find patterns without triangles. LOL)
I’m no expert, but I think if you pick the print(s) first and then build your selections it will be easier.
Hello from Brisbane, Australia. I will say that I don't have a lot of ugly fabrics lying around, most of my fabrics have been purchased with a project in mind, most are sitting waiting for that project to happen as I work full time. I typically buy fabrics, wadding, and thread only when I need them as everything is so expensive where I live. Cotton fabrics start at around $19 mtr AUD (just over 1 yard) and all nice patterned fabrics are typically around $25 - $39 AUD, solids @ $9.00 AUD, wadding is expensive and my favourite thread (Gutermann) is almost too expensive to buy now @ $5 for 110 yards. Prices have really increased since 2020 so I choose wisely. Even flat fats are $5-$7 AUD. Pretty much the only time I buy fabrics and tools is when they are on a decent special. So I buy less and try to get around to doing my projects more, and cherish the fabrics that I have in my stash. Thank you Nikki for sharing all your wonderful ideas on what to do with the scraps of fabric, now I keep a lot more of those scraps and would like to start Working on a quilt at some point, down the track once I finish my other projects . You are very inspiring ☺
Thanks Nicki, that was helpful...trust my instincts and likes, leave some fabric colours out, go by mood and color saturation...it was good to have words to describe what I was doing Nicki and permission to be me ❤😊
You are speaking my quilting language! I just found you and quickly subscribed!
Welcome! 🤗
Thanks, I needed this talk about fabric! Sounds weird, but it helped. Trust yourself with what YOU like.
Nice new bright lights!
When my 3 younger sisters and I were growing up (I’m 66), my grandmother made most of our clothes. For Christmas one year, she gave each of us a lined robe, made with scraps from all the clothes she’d made each of us. My sisters actually held on to their robes and gave them to their daughters, but I had all boys! 😂 I have no clue what happened to my robe.
This is a great video! I struggle with fabric colors and often feel guilty if I don’t use something that was given to me or I bought in a pack. I really don’t like the purple hues at all either and basically refuse to use it in my decor, but have several friends who do like it so I use those fabrics I don’t like in mug rugs, little zipper bags, etc as little give away gifts.
You are such a blessing! So thankful to have uplifting and encouraging pin cut sew videos to keep me into quilting.
Your videos always make me smile. I shared this one with my quilt group because we all struggle with color choices (some more than others). Your advice is sound and ultimately helps quilters to save money and the planet.🌎 thanks for sharing your quilting world view.
Aw thank you for sharing 🫶🏻
I have purchased some precuts but only when they are on sale for half off. Then, I have to convince myself that not using all 42 pieces in the same quilt is all right -- that the world will not end if I pick and chose just a few, add a fabric to calm the colors down, or use the jelly roll pieces as binding or borders on a totally different quilt. (When I first started quilting, I didn't have the confidence to think for myself, but I've relaxed enough to realize I have pretty decent instincts and that life will go on if I end up without enough strips and have to cut one from a similar fabric.)
As a newer quilter I definitely found myself buying all 'hero' prints and realized I need to have solids and low volumes!
I love the pass it on idea if you hate or are done with the fabric. I have a group of 3 of us, and we pass and share our fabrics. I love that for instance I had this absolutely adorable glow in the dark ghosts boxing fabric that I made two Halloween quilts out of and it was passed on so it can be enjoyed with two other quilters so it will be in multiple houses. It also saves us money with all three of us sharing.
I know i am going to make a quilt for a granddaughter this winter. She likes greens and purples. Ive known what i wanted to do for months. So every time i go anywhere with fabric I search. I buy 1/3 of a yard usually. I hunt through any clearance remnants. I will have a lot of extra when I start putting it together, but thats ok. My normal fabric shops have new choices every few months.
Wow, this was a great episode. I just love everything you do!
Thank you for making this page. ☺️ So happy I found it. I love sewing but without a sewing machine It’s so time consuming and tedious.
Could you please recommend one? Maybe even share which sewing machine you use, your favorite one?🙏🏻I am looking to buy a machine but I am clueless in that area. 😄
Love going to my local House clearance warehouse and look through sheets, duvets, pillow cases and purchasing them to sew with. Love being able to get flannelette or brushed cotton sheets to back quilts with as well. Cheaper than buying from shops and they are also bringing recycling into my crafting. Love watching your videos as well.
I just had this happen. I picked out fabric for a baby quilt. Made the quilt top and was so disappointed. The olives just sort of disappeared. So I go into my stash and found some fabric I bought many years go. Decided to use it and wow!!! It turned out much better. Who would think to shop in your own stash?😂
You inspire so much confidence! Thank you!
Great advice! I donate any fabric in my stash that I can't stand. Life's too short! :)
Hi Nikki, you have a keen eye for grouping fabrics. The main print should become the "focus" of your quilt or the star of the show. It's fun to audition fabrics to get the look that you want. Find a combination that is pleasing to you and run with it. Another great video, thank you.
This is great advice. I am new to quilting. I’m working on my second quilt. The first was a kit from Fat Quarter Shop that went with a video series to teach quilting. The second was made from pre-cuts. At this point I’m working on trying to be more accurate in cutting and sewing, so the precuts are great. Ultimately I want to work on being more creative and figuring out what I like to make and the colors I want to use. I don’t think of myself as being very creative or good with color.
A girl after my heart ❤. Recycle, reuse. Could you kindly post or put a few dimensions in the next video of your ALL-TIME FAVOURITE quilt. Thanks.
These are all really great tips, thank you!
So enjoyed this video - I think you say some very wise things! ❤👍from Somerset UK
Hallelujah girl! You sound exactly like me with fabric choices and about clothes.
Such good advice!
Love your style. Great to watch and listen. Thanks.
Such good common sense advice🎉
The best book which helped me get better at putting fabric together is Alex Andersens's Shopping for Fabric. I still refer to it when I have a question about why something isn't working. Your ideas are pretty much in line with hers. I love playing with colors and advise others that the more you do it the better you get. It's a skill like any other. I "collect" fabrics, mostly from thrift stores, mystery grab bags, castoffs from others, men's shirts, and leftovers from my garment sewing. I find precuts too limited in their palette, and scale of prints so I always add and subtract when using them. By themselves they are harmonious, but to my eye rather boring. I learned from Alex's book how to make things more interesting! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the helpful ideas.
What a GREAT VIDEO. You are so grounded! I totally agree with everything you shared. I took a course yesterday at my Guild on Improv quilting. I learned that it's not for me. Is it current -yes, is it popular -yes is it fun- sometimes to a small degree. Just not for me right now. I struggle with color and have fallen into the trap of buying precuts JUST IN CASE as they are matchy- matchy and I want to make something and then when I do make something I go purchase what I need JUST IN TIME TO make it.Lots of good advice in this video. ❤❤❤
I have never quilted but I am really thinking about starting and your ideas and tips help me tremendously. Thank You!! Love this video
I always love your videos and advice! I have learned a lot and been inspired. Thank you!❤
I use fabric given to me by others and try to use a calm background fabric for a controlled scrappy look
Great advice I do struggle with fabric choices.
Your fish quilt is looks AMAZING 🤗 I am thoroughly enjoying making mine🐟🧵👏🏼
You are 100% correct. If you love it that's what matters!
Thank you so much. Still getting comfortable with choosing materials. I sometimes love all the wild colors and feel oh that is too much. But you know it is so much fun sewing so I think I will keep at it i just leave out red and orange don’t like them. Also trying to build up a stash want to make the house quilt. Thanks Nikki
This video is great, very down to earth and useful tips. Thank you!
I absolutely love how you think
I really love all of your advice & how out of the box you are❤❤
The scrapy quilt you showed looks so cozy! How do you get your quilts to be soft and cozy?
Hmm I think the batting and the backing make the biggest difference. I use cotton or bamboo battings, and I make sure to use a soft backing. For example, I once used a Ralph Lauren sheet to back a quilt and the thread count was high quality, but the quilt is pretty crispy as a result! So I stick to soft cottons or flannel, or well worn linen tablecloths, things like that. Also, the more you use them, the softer and cozier they get :)
Original " coming down the pike" but either is acceptable and mean the same thing.
Thanks for all the confidence building info
I am in the process of planning a comfort quilt for a friend going through some stuff. Each block will have meaning to them/us personally...northern star, compass, school house, etc., like a sampler. There's no way, really, that it's going to be matchy. I thought I would add a dark sashing between the blocks to preserve the individual meanings.
That is so, so sweet 🫶🏻
VERY HELPFUL THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I learned the hard way…not to put fabrics I don’t like or love in a quilt! And yes, that’s what I see every time I look at the quilt! Fortunately I love the other side, so I can just turn it over!!
I love your energy and observations! Thanks
I think like you Nikki when it comes to not using fabric I think is ugly. I just want to sew with pretty fabrics or I don't enjoy the process. I donate this fabric to my local church thrift store.
I enjoy choosing my own fabrics. I've purchased some pre-cuts but not many. When I make a scrap quilt I select my colors ahead of time and always select a lot of color. I'm planning on making a two colored (three if you count the low volume fabric) scrap quilt as my next project. I know that I'm going to likely get tired of sewing it at some point because it's only 2 colors so I'll have another quilt with more color in it so I can swap back and forth.
Great advice, thank you!!!
i luv ur site.u march to ur own drummer...soooo inspiring. thanx
I don't buy fabric..... unless its from garage sale. They are clothes or leftovers or curtains or sheets or or or.... "Stash" hahahaha is large bins of "single colors" like "mostly" orange etc. The variety makes me very happy. Box of stripes, box of plaid, box of backs. Amazing how MUch fabric is suddenly free when you say you quilt. )))
You are my absolute favorite! I look forward to your videos and enjoy them so much! Thank you!
Thank you so much! 🤗
Pike: The phrase "coming down the pike" comes from the idea of traveling along a turnpike, a toll road that connected cities and towns before highways. I just lifted that definition off the internet.
Ohhhh interesting, makes sense
Thank you for this video, it is so helpful! 🥰
I LOVE your videos!
I love you 🫶🏻😁
Loved the quilt on the ending of the video. Do you have a video on making this quilt?
There is a pattern out there by someone else for a quilt like that called Birds of a Feather 👍🏻
I love your “scrappy” quilt! I was trying to see the design. Did you say they are 2 in X 3 1/2 in strips? Sewed alternating using 4 strips/block? I’d love to see it in a pic or even better see a pattern for it!
Here’s a blog series I wrote about that quilt with the measurements and blocks! www.pincutsewstudio.com/blog/2020/3/28/quarantine-quilt-a-long-part-1
Loved this thanks😊
I have fabric and no patterns. Lol I need patterns for a specific number of solids and prints. Definitely a beginner .. I need one of those ladies for my wonky houses ❤
Very good advice!!
I love the scrappy quilt you got out of closet! I am going t o attempt to make it! Thanks for the inspiration!!! You are so kind to share ❤
It sounded like you said 2 x 3 inch pieces... is that right? Im looking at it and it seems like maybe 2 x 4? Maybe it's just camera angle?
Or maybe I didn't hear correctly 😂
Ok I checked and they’re cut at 2.5 x 4.5 👍🏻
Ugh, deciding colors is so hard. At least with a theme, it makes it easier. I did a Mandelorian helmet quilt for my grandson, so black and shades of gray were easier, but still sorta hard! I can't just go to the store and pick out fabric for no particular reason. I need structure! 😂
I trust my color grouping but I have trouble matching prints. It is obvious to vary them (not all large prints, not all tiny prints, etc.) but when I try it, I second guess my choices and I just usually stop completely.
What is the last quilt shown? Love it
You are lucky that quilting is such a big thing over there. In Australia I have only 1 or 2 fabric shops and 1 large store. The fabrics are quite expensive, and the ones on sale are usually that because they’re not very nice(in my opinion😉). Because of this I often have fabrics that I’m not really fond of , but it’s that or I don’t quilt. Not the end of the world though.😊
I agree American quilters talk very differently about fabric stashing and fabric shopping. I’ve never seen a quilt cotton on sale I’d actually use 😂 . Only a couple of shops have nice tones to choose from.
This is very interesting, I had no idea!
@@PinCutSew for example typical 110cm by 50 cm is $17. I’ll attach link to my favourite shop in next comment.
Ohhhhh you’re so smart (or with a Boston accent smahrt) 😊
I will never be gifted fabrics as I don't know anyone who quilts. I have to buy my
fabrics online. OH Boy! I've bought some UGLIES. Last week I sewed 10 yards of ugly
fabrics together for a backing and I love it -it felt very liberating. When I squared up the
quilt I decided to put the offcuts into the rubbish the I realised I could use them for foundation
squares for string quilts no batting required.
Hi Nikki, can you do a video on how to put sashing (I believe is the term) between each quilt block? I’ve sewn for years, but I’m just beginning quilting. I love making wonky blocks, but can’t seem to connect them correctly with strips so that they all line up. UGH! Please help! Thank you for all you do!😊
Yes, I have one! How to add sashing to your quilt the right way!
ua-cam.com/video/Uyp3giyUaiE/v-deo.html
@@PinCutSew Thank you so much, Nikki! How on Earth did I miss that one! It is going to make my quilting experience so much better! I love all your books, patterns, and especially your videos! I’m know it’s a ton of work to make them, but they are fantastic and I’ve learned so much! Thank you again! 💕
To everything you have said….amen sista