How to Organize A Fabric Selection Key For Your Next Quilting Project

As a quilt pattern designer, it’s my job to list the proper fabric requirements for the design I’m offering you. While in a perfect world I’d like to think that you would choose the same fabrics represented in my cover quilt that are illustrated in the full-color pages of my patterns, I recognize that a lot of us are home sewing through our stash, or perhaps we want to change out that hot pink fabric in the cover quilt for another hue…so how do you keep up with those changes while working through the instructions?

As a designer I’ve always made it my practice to list fabrics by labels…A, B, C… instead of light blue, dark green, etc. I find that much easier when I want to remake one of my designs in a totally different colorway. I simply label my fabric choices with the corresponding reference to Fabric A, Fabric B, etc.

Instead of writing down that my Fabric E was lime green (for instance) instead of forest green I generally take a photo and label the fabrics to refer back to as I’m working. Then I had a lightbulb moment… Hum…why not make it even easier than that! Why not just cut out swatches of the actual fabric and label them, keeping the chart with the pattern in my project box. Why not indeed!

I liked this idea so much that I designed a little chart, printed it on cardstock, then began to cut and glue 2” x 2” squares of my fabric choice. So pleased with the outcome, I thought, this is something I should share with the world! Okay, maybe not THE world, but my little world.

So, there you go! A handy dandy chart that I hope you will find useful and print over and over as you work on all your quilt projects. Yep, my original design concept had a revision to include a place for the pattern name to further organize my projects! Click on the button below to download your complimentary PDF.

Okay – here’s your assignment. Hurry up and finish those works in progress as I will have three new pattern releases coming in the next few weeks that I just know you are going to want to put at the top of your to-do list, especially now that you have your official The Quilt Rambler Fabric Key Chart (grin).  

Help me tell the world! Pin It!

Here’s your sneak peek of the third quilt of the three new designs…be sure to visit my online shop for all The Quilt Rambler patterns, available as PDF instant downloads or in a booklet format that ships to your doorstep (currently not offering international shipping). 

This is Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler -Happy Organizing!

6 thoughts on “How to Organize A Fabric Selection Key For Your Next Quilting Project

  1. rl2b2017 says:

    Hi Karen! Great idea and key that you’ve shared. I just love that beautiful B fabric. It must be an Island Batik and what a fabulous low volume background it would make with that fain swirl pattern. Happy Friday to you! ~smile~ Roseanne

    • TheQuiltRambler says:

      Indeed it is an Isand Batik fabric – I’ve been quilting exclusively with them since our flood in 2017… I love the vibrant colors and how well they go together. Glad you like the fabric key – hope you will think of me as you quilt ? I’m there in the background cheering you on as you continue to create beautiful quilts!!

  2. Brenda @ Songbird Designs says:

    This is a great idea, Karen. I used this method with my Sunshine Cove quilt BOM that is in progress! My secret sewing project is coming along nicely! Today I start on the sashing and cornerstones!! Looking forward to the blog hop!!

Comments are closed.

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.