COLOUR THEORY FOR QUILTERS: a Sampler of Colours Dancing Corners Quilt Block Challenge Grand Quilt Guild 2012 – 2013 Challenge leaders: Judy Eckhardt 519-846-2214 [email protected] Brenda Dagg 519-864-5176 [email protected] Elizabeth Litch 519-843-5915 [email protected] You will learn about the 9 classic colour combinations used by all who wish to create using colour. You will be encouraged to play with colour for each combination used. We will use a pattern that incorporates 2 basic traditional block shapes and one other not so usual block shape that can all be manipulated in a variety of ways to change the look of each block. You may choose 2 ways of doing this challenge. 1. Make one 12” block each month using fabric and working in a traditional manner for a small quilt. 2. See separate handout for option 2 prepared by Elizabeth Litch. Fabric Requirements: First you must choose a “THEME” fabric. This should be one that you absolutely love. Choose small prints, tone on tone, or batik with one over all colour tone; avoid anything with big blotches of other colours or strong contrasts on shading. Avoid large prints, stripes, or any large design. You need 0.5 m of this theme fabric for the blocks, but if you want to use it for your borders or sashing, then get at least 1.0 m. 1m neutral background: this should be white, creamy off white, or black. Throughout the year you will need a wide variety of fabric pieces, at least 9” x 11” covering the full colour spectrum. Choose small prints, batiks, or tone on tones for the best results. Be sure to include light, medium, and dark fabrics as well. If you don’t have a big stash, try swapping colours with a friend. Hopefully everyone will share and trade fabrics to broaden each other’s choices. You will work with the same colour family as your “Theme” fabric in block one. After the first block you will have a better idea of what you need. Other Supplies: Make 9 copies of the Dancing Corner Worksheet Pre-cut the following for the first block: Background fabric: Cut 2 strips 3 7/8”. Sub-cut into 3 7/8” squares. Theme fabric: Cut 2 strips @ 3 7/8”.

Sub-cut into 3 7/8” squares for the star points.

You will also need little pieces to create your Dancing Corner worksheet before you sew. For every block, you will make a fabric sample of the block pieces on the photocopied pages by pasting small pieces of fabric on the worksheet. This way you see if you like the fabrics you have chosen before sewing them in place.

Dancing Corners Quilt Block Challenge Block One There are actually 11 colour schemes (harmonies), but for this challenge we will learn 9. The first one is easy – MONOCHROMATIC – or 1 colour family. This must be your focus colour family and you will use only colours from that family. Be sure to use lights, mediums, and darks for variety and contrast. Block Structure: 4 half square triangle units 4 half split half square triangle units 4 dancing corners units 4 dancing corners units reversed The recommended location of the theme fabric is the star points. This can, but does not have to, remain constant through the quilt. Decide for future blocks as you start each one. Two very different looks can be achieved by the way you use your colour for your star points. If the star points are always your theme colour, you have 5 other locations for your other colours. If the star points always change colour, you have 6 other locations to place your focus fabric with 5 other colours. Take note of the location of the background fabric in your block. This remains constant in every block. We have marked this on your work sheet for reference with @. Block Assembly Unit One: Half-Square Triangle Unit Place 1 background 3 7/8” square and one chosen colour #1 3 7/8” square right sides facing. Mark a diagonal line with a fine pencil. Sew scant ¼” on either side of the line from corner to corner. Cut on the line and press to the darker fabric. Make 4. This should measure 3 ½” x 3 ½” at this point. Unit Two: Dancing Corners Unit and Reverse Place 1 background 3 7/8” square and one chosen colour #2 3 7/8” square right sides facing. Mark diagonal line with pencil. Sew scant ¼” on either side of the line from corner to corner as above. Cut on the line and press to the darker fabric. Dancing corner: Mark the centre diagonal line on chosen colour #3. Align the square with one seamed corner of H S triangle and sew on the diagonal line. Trim off corner fabric leaving a ¼” seam. Press inward. Make 4 units Repeat on opposite corner to make 4 reverse units. This should measure 3 ½” x 3 ½” at this point. Unit Three: Half-Split Half-Square Units Cut one background @ 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”. Cut twice on the diagonal. Repeat with chosen colour #4. Join the two with 90º corners meeting. These are bias edges so work carefully so they do not stretch. Cut chosen colour #5 @ 3 7/8” x 3 7/8”. Cut once on the diagonal. Join to the above unit. This should measure 3 ½” x 3 ½” at this point. Lay out the components and assemble in columns and then rows, pressing appropriately. Your ¼” seams are very important in this block so check every one as you go.

Dancing Corners Work Sheet Block Name: _____________________ Dancing Corners Unit & Reverse Cut 4 background @ 3 7/8” x 3 7/8” Cut 4 theme colour # 1@ 3 7/8” x 3 7/8” Cut 8 theme colour #2 @ 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”

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These will be 3 ½” x 3 ½” when sewn; 3” x 3” after finishing.

Half-Square Triangle Unit Cut 2 background @ 3 7/8” x 3 7/8” Cut 2 theme colour #3 @ 3 7/8” x 3 7/8” These will be 3 ½” x 3 ½” when sewn; 3” x 3” after finishing.

Half-Split Half-Square Unit Cut 1 background @ 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” Cut twice on the diagonal. Cut 1 theme Colour # 4 @ 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” Cut twice on the diagonal. Join

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Cut 2 theme colour # 5 @ 3 7/8” x 3 7/8”. Cut once on the diagonal. Join to above unit. These will be 3 ½” x 3 ½” when sewn; 3” x 3” after finishing.

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