I just found a couple of interesting things online that I thought I’d pass on.
First, Rebecca Bryan published another blog on how to choose colors for a quilt. Mind you, it’s about only one of many possible color “recipes” but I thought her explanation was unusually well done. I personally choose my colors intuitively, but I know many people agonize over fabric choice, so I thought some of you might want to see her article. The link is here, and she has additional articles on choosing colors if you’re interested.
Rebecca designs wonderful quilts, too. Here’s one I made years ago from her book Modern Triangle Quilts. The color choices are mine, and I added a few blocks that weren’t in the book, but the pattern is basically hers. (Modern Triangle Quilts was published in 2017, so you probably can get it for less now through AbeBooks. And no, this is not an affiliate link.)
“Triangle Variations” did not get to go to a quilt show due to COVID
Back of “Triangle Variations”
The other thing that caught my eye is a class, via Creative Spark, on using African fabrics in “quilts, crafts, and more”. I recently bought some African wax cloth, thinking it would liven up some of the solids I often use, so I’ll probably take this class. 
The same ideas probably would apply to use of these aboriginal designs.
The presenters for this class, Carole Lyles Shaw and Lisa Shepard Stewart, discuss the distinction between appreciation and appropriation. (I’ve been interested in THAT topic since a prominent designer was accused of cultural appropriation a few years ago.)
I’ll let you know if I take the class. It will be a minute because I have a couple of other class-related projects to finish at the moment (I’m a sucker for anywhere I might learn something).
Have you used ethnic designs in your work? Any thoughts?
Zippy Quilts 
I sure appreciate that you share new things you’ve learned, and places to go for more information. I was once one of those quilters who was stymied when picking colors, but after taking numerous classes on the topic, and helping other quilters choose colors when I worked in a quilt shop, I gleaned enough knowledge to feel comfortable doing it on my own. Some of it is also about learning to trust your own instincts. Interesting about cultural appropriation. I have made a quilt using Aboriginal prints, purchased when in Australia, but have yet to really get into African prints, though I have a few pieces. It can be challenging to know how to use them, especially among other “regular” prints and solids.
I bought the African and Aboriginal fabrics after taking a class with Cindy Grisdela, whose work I admire. She uses a lot of solids with just a few prints to jazz them up, and these ethnic-style prints seemed likely to do the job. To be continued.
Thanks for the link. I also choose colours off the seat of my pants.The nice thing about using those African wax fabrics fabrics is that they are so bright that anything goes!
I’m sure you have much easier access to those fabrics than I do, but I can find them among the merchants at quilt shows here.
Perfect class, Zip! This is something I’ve been actively interested in for years – especially as my healthy stash of beloved African (and Asian) fabrics has grown. Aside from a few pillows, runners and my ‘Bright Delight’, I’ve longed to use them in something ‘special’…I saw some quilts displayed from an African-American quilt guild in NC (sorry, don’t remember the name) represented at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh and took a few photos of some layouts that made sense to me. So, that’s a beginning.
This class as a resource and as a practical inspirational springboard is high on my list of ‘to-dos’ to consider.
Question: do you know if once registered & paid, that there is continued access to the recorded class & materials or is it time sensitive? I couldn’t figure it out while on their website & I figure you have probably taken classes via CS before.
With rare exceptions access is “forever” or, of course, until the platform folds. I haven’t tried to go back to any of my classes either on Creative Spark or on the much-transformed Craftsy, but pretty sure there should be no problem on CS. Let me know when you sign up for the class; that should prompt me to do it at the same time and we can share ideas!
Sounds like fun! It’d be great to co-ordinate like you said. I’m game!
Love the triangle quilt w that little bit of geometric design! perfect!
Thanks–it’s one of my personal favorites.
I had not heard of Creative Spark and I went and looked them up — lots of those classes sound interesting! So thank you!
Let me know if you take a good one; I might want to take it, too 😀
Those fabrics are awesome and I have some African wax cloth in my fabric collection too.
Wow what an amazing striking palette you selected for Triangle Variations! I bet your version is better than the one in the book!
Thanks! I like my version better than the one in the book–ha!
Your version is always better per my experience reading your blog 🙂