Friday 8 March 2019

Still pulling and pondering

I am behind.  Behind on my blogging and behind on my blog reading.  Not so much behind on my sewing, which I guess is the most important thing, but I will be happier once I catch up properly.  

Mostly I am quilting, trying to get Playing with Scale finished, but I am also, still, playing around with options for Red is a Neutral.  

It's a tricky thing to get your head round, on some levels.  I find myself a bit overwhelmed by all the red, though I have been happy enough to work with it in the past.  However, I came across an explanation of why red works as a neutral that is helping me.  The gist of it is that a neutral is any colour that shows off the colours it is paired with to their best advantage; conversely, any colour can shine when paired with red.  

If I take this idea to its logical conclusion then it shouldn't matter what else I choose to add in to my pile of shirts.  I've started by pulling out some of the colours I can see in the plaids - blues and greeny blues but also yellows and a bit of brown.
 I like these, but when I look at them with the reds...
I feel like I'm not quite there.  Ideally I would like something much darker - navy, charcoal, black - and one or two more prints.  The fact that they are not there reflects my dwindling stash: I have hardly bought any fabric for nearly 3 years and this may be the point where I need to address that.

In the meantime, I'll do another pass at the charity shops and see if that yields anything encouraging.

12 comments:

patty a. said...

You are farther along than I am on my red as a neutral! Yes, maybe a walk-thru at a charity shop will yield the inspiration and material needed for this project. I also have been trying not to buy fabric, but sometimes you just need a piece or two in order to make what you have work together. Have fun on your shopping trip and may you find some great deals!

Nann said...

...Ooops, I mean to leave the comment on this post but it ended up on the previous post ... I'm still in awe about your fabric-purchase restraint! And it is easy to get behind with blog-reading.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

no fabric for 3 years? You must have saved yourself thousands!! It will be interesting to see how you tackle the red, a change from your usual colours

Robin said...

So many decisions. . . I have yet to come up with an idea. You, at least, are moving forward. Enjoy your excursion to the thrift store.

Ann said...

Showing off the selected color to best advantage is a thoughtful definition of neutral. It explains why some beige doesn't work for me. You've pulled some wonderful colors and it will be fun to watch this progress.

Nancy said...

I've been thinking about Red is a Neutral, too. I like this definition of neutral you've shared. In this grouping, what if your reds were darker or solids? It will be interesting to see how you move forward with these fabrics (and others, if you choose more) to see the quilt you create.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I found myself pondering far too much about this challenge -- and so I finally dove it and let the quilt design lead me. And it has (although I've not worked on it in a month for a variety of reasons). You'll get there - never fear.

JanineMarie said...

For not purchasing much fabric for 3 years, you sure have some beauties to work with. I have a hard time with the concept of red as a neutral, but your thoughts on it make a lot of sense. I also just saw a quilt on another blog that seemed to use red this way (it’s not part of the challenge and is regular in pattern—although scrappy in color), and I’m starting to get the idea a bit. I know I’ll learn more from all the different quilts from the Ad Hoc group.

audrey said...

Love the definition of 'red is a neutral'. It's the best one I've heard yet! Red is a very strong color. I think this twist on using it is interesting and challenging too. How we interpret it individually makes is where all the fun is at.:)

Kim said...

Gosh, I am in awe of you not really buying any fabric for any three years. Now might be the time to add to your stash. =) Again, I always love to read of your thoughts re the workings of the quilt you are working on at that time. I have not really thought of red as a neutral....but I am quite certain this quilt will prove this concept rather remarkably.

liniecat said...

Its at this stage that I think of you as an athlete, lingering at the blocks but about to assume the position before the pistol shot - almost ready for the off LOLOL

Janie said...

'Neutral is any color that shows the colors it is paired with to their
best advantage.'
I like that definition! Some people are like that, when you're around them you just feel great.
That's an exciting concept.