The Science of Colour: Mastering Colour Mixing for Quilters!

Many quilters struggle with colour selection and agonize about fabric choices. Colour can make or break your quilt; you can love the colour combo or end up disappointed in your colour choices. It seems easy for artists to mix colour and obtain their final product exactly as expected but for quilters, this becomes a bit harder as the colours are actually not mixed together, they are side by side. But the same rules for colour mixing apply!

Law of Additive Colour Mixture:

What is additive colour mixture? It's all about how different colours of light combine to create something entirely new. When it comes to quilting, this law is showcased in techniques like appliqué, paper piecing, or with those translucent fabrics. The primary players in additive mixture are red, green, and blue (RGB), and when the fabrics are overlapped, they can create a new colour. You can take this a step further and play with colour block techniques to mimic colour mixing. For example, two circles overlap, one is red, and one is blue, and the overlapping area is purple. This can be totally sewn using solids. Mixing these primary colours in different intensities unleashes a world of colours, including the stunning secondary colours like cyan, magenta, and yellow. You'll often spot this model in digital displays and dazzling lighting systems that make us go, "Wow!"

Law of Subtractive Colour Mixture:

On the other hand, the law of subtractive colour mixture is when different colours blend, they soak up certain light wavelengths, leading to a subtractive colour mix. Our key players here are cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY). Combining these primaries lets us craft secondary colours such as red, blue, and green. For example, mixing cyan and magenta together makes blue, while yellow and cyan makes green. Mix all three primary colours in equal parts, and they absorb all light wavelengths, giving you a neutral or black shade. This model is the foundation for choosing fabrics and nailing those perfect colour combos in your quilting.

Colour Combinations and Harmonies:

Now, let's get into the best part—colour combinations and harmonies. This is where you can start to play. Here are a few key principles to keep in your creative toolbox:

Complementary Colours: Essentially — colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel! When they come together, they create a high-impact contrast. These complementary duos can inject excitement and visual drama into your quilts. Purple and yellow are complementary colours.

Analogous Colours: These are the colours that hang out next to each other on the colour wheel. They share a special connection in undertones, creating a soothing and cohesive vibe when used together. It's all about balance and pleasing the eye with analogous colours. For example, blue and green are analogous colours.

Triadic Colours: Ready for some energy? Triadic colour schemes involve picking three hues evenly spaced around the colour wheel, forming a triangle. This is your recipe for a vibrant and well-balanced palette, adding a dynamic touch to your quilts. Orange, green and purple are triadic colours to each other.

Monochromatic Colours: When you're in the mood for subtle elegance, monochromatic colour schemes come to the rescue. They play with different shades, tints, and tones of one hue. This creates depth, intrigue, and an overall harmonious look in your quilting projects. Different shades of blue are analogous colours.

Mastering the art of colour mixing unfolds a world of creativity for quilters. By understanding the additive and subtractive colour models, along with colour combinations and harmonies, you'll be making quilts that are not only amazing but also authentic expressions of your artistic vision. So, embrace the magic of colour mixing, play with various combinations, and let your creativity soar as you embark on your next quilting masterpiece.

Happy Sewing with Colour!

Jody