How to Choose a Fat Quarter Bundle for a Collage Quilt
Do you struggle with choosing fabrics for a collage quilt? Good news: you don't have to hunt down dozens of fabrics. One fat quarter bundle can be enough if you know what to look for.
In this tutorial I'm showing you exactly how I turned the Benartex Mirrors fat quarter bundle into my Eiffel Tower collage quilt, plus the three things I check before I buy any bundle for a collage project.
The 3-part formula for choosing collage fabrics:
- Main image: dark or bold enough to stand out (for my Eiffel Tower, a dark blue that contrasts with the sky)
- Background: lighter values that let your main image read as a silhouette
- Motifs: flowers, butterflies, mushrooms, and the details that add contrast and a little whimsy
What to look for in a fat quarter bundle:
- Value: can you find something for your main image?
- Contrast: will that main image stand out against your background?
- Variety: 4 to 5 different colors to play with. (Three colors usually isn't enough.)
- Motifs: prints with distinct shapes you can cut and use
Not every fabric line will do this, but plenty will. So before you go shopping, look in your stash. You may already own a bundle that's collage-ready. And remember, collage isn't meant to be realistic. It's meant to be whimsical and fun. Monster-sized butterflies welcome.
Get the La Dame de Fer Pattern here -> La Dame de Fer Digital PDF Pattern
This YouTube tutorial explains what to look for in even more detail:
