We all know that our quilts need light, medium and dark fabrics to bring out the design.  We tend to use several colors to get those values in our quilts.  But sometimes it can be satisfying to use just one color and vary the value within that color.    When you have a lot of other color going on in a room, having a monochromatic quilt can offer a quiet place for the eye.

Square Up by Janet Pittman is a fat quarter friendly quilt.  This lap size quilt (42″ x 54″) is fast and easy to make.  

Break out of the box with this break-some-rules design.  Syncopated Ribbons will let you dig into your scrap bag to create a truly one of a kind quilt.  

What a beautiful quilt for hanging on a dining room wall…  or in your French Country kitchen.  It soothing and pleasing to view.  China Dishes is a quick, easy quilt finishing at 57″ x 63″.

Here’s another quick & easy quilt.  Dutch Treat from Rasmatazz Designs is 64″ square so it on the table or on the wall.  It’s rather striking, don’t you think?  The designer, Susan Nelson, suggests using a color that coordinates with your favorite dishes.

These patterns were designed for a simple color palette, but you can take almost any pattern and make it monochromatic.  If you’re not sure if you’ll like the effect with a particular pattern, just make a couple blocks.  If you’re not thrilled enough to make an entire quilt you can use the blocks for a tote bag or mini table topper.

 Recently, while preparing to start an arty quilt with goldfish, I searched my stash for just the right orange.  It was a quick search - I have so little orange!  Lots of blues, brown, greens, creams, whites, and reds, but just a few oranges.  And I don’t know why.  It’s a lovely color, with good manners.  It will never give you the cold shoulder, but always a warm welcome.  So I’m off on a search for more orange.

Sunny Daisies on an orange background in American Jane Snippets clearly says ”Summer”.

Splish Splash Spots Orange is a double dose of happy… polka dots and orange all in the same fabric.

 Surf ‘N Safari is a bright, bold, must-be-noticed orange!  The background undulates from the lightest shade to a deep orange with an overlay of splatters in even darker orange.

 Happy yellow swirls are paired with small blue dots on an orange background in Play Date.  It’s  a litte heavy on the yellow, but  this one . . . .

 
 . . . . with yellow in the form of smallish stars on the same background (also in the Play Date line) gives a hint of yellow, and lets the orange take center stage.

Garden Party orange is very soft and underplayed.  It could be used in a project and wouldn’t shout orange, but a warm feeling would still result.

Getting back to my goldfish, I think Splash Papaya might be just right. It will really pop against the background of many different blues. 

Do you have any orange quilt fabric in your stash?