Quilters seem to be forever worried about color. Although I stand by the saying “Color gets the credit, value does the work”, color is important too. Here are three of my favorite color resources.
Tara Faughnan has a fantastic color sense. I took one of her block studies courses and very much enjoyed it, especially seeing her color choices for the palettes and watching her explain her process.
Here are some of the studies I made in her block studies program, all mashed together about to made into a quilt top. 
M. J. Kinman recently presented to our guild about her gemstone quilts, which are wonderful. In order to get the “sparkle” needed for her gems, she made an extensive study of color. She has now written a book called Crack the Color Code.
I can’t recommend the book highly enough! She has studied some seminal works on color and summarized them in clear, practical terms. I’m especially pleased that she explains Josef Albers’ Interaction of Color, because I owned the book for years without being able to get through it!
Although I haven’t yet made anything with specific reference to MJ’s book, it does explain why tis little quilt I made a few years ago has some glow.
Finally, there’s an excellent free resource from Mitzie Schaefer of Jittery Wings Quilt Company. She calls her method “color flow” and offers a free workbook that explains it. If you follow this link to her website you should see a little floating window that says “Get the Workbook”. It’s free and I recommend it!
In addition to her ideas about color, she has definite opinions about quilt layout. Her website has video presentations about her preferred layout for some of her patterns, and I have found them useful. Here’s one quilt I made several years ago from her pattern “All the Good”.
What are your favorite color resources?
Zippy Quilts 
How nice of you to share these resources that have been helpful and meaningful to you! I adore your Tara Faughnan-style quilt! It just speaks to me with its improv-y design and bright colors that look smashing together. Maybe it’s the black that makes it all click. I noticed because black is a color I seldom use in my quilts, unless it’s in a stripe. I love your little quilt, and “All the Good” too. Yes, it IS “good.” Thanks for sharing book titles. I’ve already recommended that MJ Kinman’s book be added to our MQG chapter library.
Oh, good! I think you’ll enjoy the Kinman book. And thanks for your kind comments.
Oh that first quilt from your block study class is breathtaking and obviously you understand how to use color and value in your work. Setting those blocks in black is perfect! The second piece – wow! The gray balances out the gorgeous orange and pop of yellow. The third one is awesome too!
Thank you!
You’re quilts are amazing. I traditionally have not used colour resources and tend to just go with my gut but perhaps I should have a look and try a few more adventurous options
I look forward to seeing your ideas!
Wowzer! Talk about ‘pops of color’! Favorite color resource? Ma’s color wheel & the rule of ‘value’ – these ground me and remind me that infinite color choices can be tamed.
Yep, value is the stuff. Always good to hear from you!