The color bible for me is Joen Wolfrom‘s 3-in-1 Color Tool from C&T Publishing. I use it more than any other color gadget. This handy doodad has guided me through the color selection process many times.
I have an older version from 2003 (on the left above) but any version is useful. The newest version is on the right above. It’s fanned out below.
I used to glaze over when someone started talking about the color wheel and its tints, tones and shades. It seemed so complicated. Then I learned how to use the Color Tool. My quilts have never been the same.
The Color Tool contains one card for each of the 24 basic colors on the Ives color wheel. Each card shows not only the pure color, but its tints, tones and shades as well. Here’s a quick lesson on those:
• Tints result when white is added to the color.
• Tones result when gray is added to the color.
• Shades result when black is added to the color.
The tints, tones and shades of any color are not always what you’d expect them to be. When you use the Color Tool, this becomes clear. The card above shows the tints, tones and shades of Chartreuse. The tool has really helped me to understand the concept of tints, tones and shades.
In the spring of 2010 I was designing my block Paisley Punch for 100 Blocks Volume 2. I’d fallen hard for a soft paisley print by Dena Designs for FreeSpirit, and decided to use it as the background. I began looking for fabrics to applique my paisley shapes.
I chose some pinks, purples and greens but nothing was working. Everything looked awful against this background. I hit dead end after dead end. (It was much worse than it looks in the photo.)
I remembered my Color Tool. I used it to analyze what colors were present in my background fabric. I was surprised to find they weren’t the colors I had thought. This happens sometimes: we see tints, tones and shades but our eyes aren’t yet trained enough to recognize the base colors that are being used.
A survey of everything from green to yellow revealed that the color in the fabric was chartreuse.
Another surprise: the orange in the fabric isn’t actually “orange” but closer to either orange-yellow or yellow-orange.
And the trickiest of all: the pinks and purples. I settled on fuchsia, purple and blue-violet, because all three were present.
Here’s my final palette of yellow-orange, fuchsia, purple, blue-violet and chartreuse. It wasn’t at all what I’d expected but I could see it was going to work.
From there I chose fabrics in a variety of tints, tones and shades from the cards. I could be pretty sure that if a color was on one of those five cards, it would work. Things started to blend and flow and work nicely together.
This is how it usually goes. I love the Color Tool and I would recommend you try it. For what you’ll learn and how much you’ll use it, just $16.95 makes it a steal. Widely available at quilt shops and fabric stores, or online at ctpub.com.
Do you have a favorite color tool? Please leave a comment telling us about it by midnight July 29. We’ll choose a random winner to receive the latest version of the 3-in-1 Color Tool. The winner is “Duff” and she has been contacted to claim her Color Tool. Thanks for all the great comments!
I’m a beginner, so I don’t have a ‘go-to’ color tool yet. It would be fun to learn how to use something like this!
Wow! I have never heard of this until now. I’ve had a color wheel for some time; but, I am loving the idea of this!
As for what I use, I’ve always went with gut instinct, my eyes and vision, and my camera.
I have two hobbies that involve careful selection of colour – quilting and cardmaking. To be honest, I have not yet picked up a colour tool. However, when I have doubts about my colour choices, believe it or not, my dearly beloved offers good advice. He has a VERY good eye for colour matches and combos.
Oh gosh, could I use this tool SO MUCH! I have read so many things trying to learn about colors and tints and how to put different fabrics together so they all look great together. I just love all the quilts and beautiful colors I see being made but my ‘older’ ways of being taught that you don’t mix plaids and stripes or anything similar is really still holding me back from doing anything but boring stuff. Maybe something like this would help me figure it out easier and then have something I can trust and help me learn, or un-learn what I was taught as a child.
Nope, I do not have any color wheel or tool at all since that was the original question.
Thank you so much for the chance to win such a great learning/help tool such as this.
I don’t have a colour tool — I was just doing the seat-of-the-pants approach. I’d love to win this!
I have tried to use a color wheel, but it hasn’t been too successful because there was not enough variation of colors. This looks like a great tool!
First I’ve heard of this tool. I use the standard color wheel for difficult fabric decisions, but usually the dots on the selvage are good indicators of what will work. Sandi
I have a colour wheel….like this one though!
This was a really informative post, and you’ve got me thinking that a colour wheel would be a wonderful tool. I’ve never used one. Sometimes I rely on the dots contained in the fabric selvedge for direction in choosing coordinates.
I’m new at quilting. I’ve finished my first quilt and am about to start my second. So far my color tool has been the women who work at the quilt shop. I give them a starting point and they dive right into the bolts and come up with something I’d never have picked myself. So far this method has been working for both my boyfriend and me (he’s on his third project).
But we’d both love to be able to pick our own colors with confidence. If I’m lucky enough to win your contest, I promise to share your color tool with him.
I don’t have any color tool. I just depend on my own sense of what looks good to me, but I have often thought of getting one. Thanks for showing how well this one works.
I don’t have one, but would love to have this one. I’m sure it would help a lot in using different fabrics together. Sometimes we rely on the same colors that look well together. Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win.
I have a color wheel, but I can see that this would work so much better. Would love to win this!!!
No, I don’t have any color tool or color sense! Picking fabrics is the absolute hardest part of making a quilt for me. I have started 3 different designs and have abandoned them because my fabric choices looked AWFUL. Can this miracle tool even help a color challenged person like me?
I don’t have one–yet!
Does squinting count as a tool? I just stand there in the store and squint a while, then hold the bolt I really like up to other bolts and think. I probably look like a fool, but really don’t care if my quilt comes out beautifully! This tool would definitely help – thanks for sharing it with us (I never knew it existed) and thanks for a chance to win one also.
I use my eye to determine what goes together. Recently a close friend passed away and our quilting knot put all of her stash together for sale. I ended up the person who grouped different fabrics together because everyone said I was the best at it. Artists are in my family but I never considered myself one. Guess as you get older you find out more and more talents. I would love to have one of these color wheels to use and see if my eye is really as good as it should be.
Hi Diane!
I’ve never used a color wheel, and in fact, until I read your blog post I really had no idea how to use one in quilting; well now I know and if I don’t win, I’ll be on the lookout for one! I’m working on a QM block right now and sure could have used a color wheel in trying to pick colors!
I have always been intimidated by the idea of a color way but the way you explain things, I think I could do this, too! Color selection is so hard for me now!
I usually just eyeball it. If I remember, I use the color dots on the selvedge edge of the fabric. The colors that were used to print the fabric are printed as little circles on the selvedge of each fabric and that helps me to see the true colors that were used…
I have a plain old color wheel that I’ve had forever, but this new tool looks really helpful. I might have to buy one if I don’t win.
This sounds like a wonderful new tool to try! I’m sure it would take some practice to use it properly!
I’ve never been very good at color selection so this looks like something that I should definitely own. This is a tool that I would love to win. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
I love lots of color in my quilts. Since having cataract surgery in one eye, the color that I see is different in the eye without the surgery. Its sort of dull and faded colors that I see. I would love to have a tool like that to work with. My daughter usually goes with me to help me out with colors. Its a true challange to try to blend colors together. Thanks for giving me the chance to win.
Oh wow! My biggest problem with quilting is color choices. I have a very basic color wheel from my scrapbooking hobby, but nothing like this. I would love to have one of these. Thanks for the chance to win.
wow, i love this! i usually run back and forth from one fabric bin to another trying to match up colors… my fiance’ says i look like a squirrel trying frantically to find a lost buried nut to add to his “stash”. lol. i suppose with this, i can tell him to just hush! lol
I’ve used a color wheel for years, but this looks like a giant step to the next level. I’d love to use it and will probably buy it if I don’t win it. Your column was very inspirational and I’m really glad the link was on FB.
alas, i do not have a color tool either, well, except for my eyes and personal taste. a friend from guild had one of these – probably the 2003 version – she had a quilt in the paducah show last year. she chose her colors for that quilt using her color tool! so yeah, i would LOVE to own one of these!
thank you! cindy in mississippi
I have to chuckle at Annette above. I love working with colors. Their energy inspires me when I quilt and picking fabrics from my stash when I put one of my own projects together is one of the best parts of the process. I use a color wheel, but this looks like much more fun. Count me in.
I’ve never used color tool before but I really need to. I’ve found that there were times when I thought colors went together but once put together on a quilt….Oops! They never look terrible but sometimes just looked like they didn’t quite go. I could really use something like this!!!
My mom! When she comes with me to our local awesome fabric store (Fabric Depot in Portland, OR) it makes picking out the correctly colored fabric soooo much easier. I do have a rainbow color wheel which I’m just starting to use but this tool looks easier because it has so many more colors.
Oh, I get it now! I really need to have one of these tools in my bag!
My husband is my color tool! He works in the paint industry, and he really has an eye for color. When I’m auditioning fabrics, he helps me and he has been on the money every time. Thanks sweetie!!!
Would absolutely love to have this tool
I love using the paint chip cards from the hardware store to help me decide what colors to use, but this would save me a trip any time I wanted to figure out what to use!
Thanks!
I love the whole concept. Would love to have this tool.
This looks like a very helpful tool. Choosing the right colors is sometimes very difficult. Thank you highlighting this tool.
I have just used the color wheel and sometimes I go to the paint store to get the graduated color cards of the colors in some of my quilting fabric. This new color wheel would really help with all those color choices we make.
Wow~ that was really interesting! I usually fly by the seat of my pants~ real unique color tool, hm?
I am going to put this tool on my wish list now. Thanks!
I don’t have any kind of tool. I usually just go with what looks good to me and if I’m stuck I’ll check out the dots on the selvedge. And sometimes I’ll ask the clerks at my local fabric store. There are a few “Karens” there and I’ll go with whatever two out of three Karens recommend!!
I use a color wheel – but this tool looks like a lot more fun!
Would love to have this tool, not good at matching colors. Glad the quilt shops have fabrics grouped together to help with picking out matching fabrics. Reading thru this blog gave me an idea to get my house paint color tool out. Thanks for the chance to win
I am color illiterate so this would be an awesome tool. Thanks for the educational tool giveaway.
this was written very well. I have a simple color wheel. The 3-in-1 would be a great resource for inspiration.
Looks like and Awesome tool and would love to win it!
I’ve tried the color wheel, but I haven’t had much luck with it. I just end up getting confused. Mostly I try several different options and then ask my son (who has a very good sense of color) to help me decide. My son has gotten married and thus moved out, so I could really use this tool.
I don’t have a favorite color tool – that’s why I need to win this one!
Thanks for the chance – it looks interesting!
I don’t have a color tool. I guess I should win this one.
Thank you for the chance to win it. Take care and God bless, Cory
What a great idea! I have a basic color wheel, but I’m not confident enough in my color choices by myself yet…. Sherry Sharpnack
I have the older colour wheel but have never used it. I will have to pull it out and try to figure it out. The new colour tool looks great and I would love to have it. Dorothy
I don’t remember ever using a color tool before, just my head! I would like to learn how to use this one. Looks great fanned out!
I like how you explained your thought process when choosing colors. That tool would be great for me!!
I haven’t used a color tool before. Your explanation was great. Thank- you.
that’s a pretty cool gadget to own! I usually take the focus fabric and then match any colors in it to fabric choices. I like the way this tool allows you to choose colors that aren’t exactly the same but will work–that’s something I wouldn’t dream of attempting! But I can see the “blend and flow” of Diane’s choices–they look fabulous! thanks for highlighting this tool and showing us how easy it is to use!
i can see the ‘value’ of this tool …. your post has explained color, tone and tint and how to use a wheel is better than any i’ve read.
I have not used a color tool. Instead I ask my neighbor which colors go together. She can see colors and will say things like, “this pink has blue and this pink has yellow, can you see the difference?” And I’ll say, ” If you say so, I’ll believe you.” I can see where that would be an incredible help in so many ways. Thanks for the great explanation and the opportunity to win.
I’ve never used a color wheele. I’m new to quilting so this would be great.
The only color tool I ever used was the red and/or blue plastic thingies. This tool sounds a lot better!
I have never used a color tool for quilting. I am a photographer though and I have SEVERAL color tools for my photography. Gray cards, Gray cloths, Neutral Light Filters, Meters on my cameras, external meters, and those are just my Pre-Shot tools. Then I have a color calibrated Monitor, a program that manages the color I see on my PC, an ambient light sensor that tells me the color of the ambient light in the room and if I tell it to, it adjusts the calibration of my monitor in real time to compensate for that ambient light color.
But, I have never thought to take my color wheel with me when fabric shopping… Of course that would be very difficult, because my color wheel is digital and exists only on my PC.
I would love to have a color management tool like this. In fact, If I don’t win it, I’ll probably go buy one. What a great idea!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Paul
http://www.OutnumberedQuilter.com
I really enjoyed this post — I have never used a color wheel, and loved the demonstration of what a difference this makes in picking colors!! I need one!! Thanks!
I have always used the Jinny Beyer’s Color Confidence for Quilters. But the color wheel looks interesting. I would like to try it.
Your explanation is great. It helped me to understand why I sometimes have one fabric that sticks out like a sore thumb when the quilt is finished! Thanks for the opportunity for the Color Tool.
What a great tool!
No, I have never used or heard of something like this. It would be a most welcomed addition to my quilting tools. Thanks for the chance to win one!
Thanks for telling me how to use it too! I always wondered how these things worked. My favorite tool is the clear ruler. I even use one for when I draw or do other non-quilty work. Great giveaway, I would love to play with this color tool!
This looks like a great product that will really help me understand the details of color and its effects. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
I have never used a color tool before! I can see the difference it makes. Thank you for the chance to win one!
I don’t have a color tool, but I sure need one!!
I don’t have Joen’s Color Tool but when I started quilting I did get my first in depth lessons in color from her book “ColorPlay”. It was then that I learned that I gravitate toward shaded colors.
I have mostly used the Rainbow Color wheel to help me understand and choose complimentary, analogous, triadic and quadratic color combinations. But often your eye (and learning to trust it) is often your best selector. As you noted in your post, when something does or doesn’t work, you instinctively know.
I do sometimes use a traditional color wheel, but I also utilize the EQ7 capabilities to add shades, tints, tones, and grades to any color in their palette. However I can see that these cards that you can place against the fabric would be extremely useful.
Thanks!
I have never used a color tool but it’s on my wish list. I am red green color blind so I always hold my breath and hope I did an ok job on my colors.
I like the new “spin” on the color wheel.
I’ve used the colored dots on the selvage of a fabric I’d like to use, especially for a particularly busy print. At least you can see what colors were used in the printing, even if you can’t necessarily pick them out accurately from the print. But not all fabrics come with these ‘registration’ cues so having a color tool with me would be wonderful. Thanks for the chance!
Oh my goodness, I so need this. I have no color sense at all. My 11 year old son actually picks out my colors. He is great at it. lol
I’ve never used a color tool. Thanks for the explanation on how to use one. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for one.
I don’t use a color tool. I use what I learned in art in grade school about the color wheel and primary and secondary colors.
I too have the older 2003 version of the color tool. Tool makes choosing fabrics much easier. At times I really get fooled by what I think I am seeing colorwise. I pull out my color tool and have an ah-ha moment.
What a useful tool…I’d love to win the new color tool. I have been using the “dots” in the selvedge edges and just my old experiences with the Crayola box of colors. This would certainly simplify the process. Thanks for the opportunity.
Alas no color tool for me either but it sure would be great!! I always have trouble picking what would look good and that tool has so many options besides the usual options that you find on other color wheels.
Haven’t used a color tool but this one looks like it would be really useful to my quilt making. Thanks for the chance to win this one.
I have a Kona solid color card, but otherwise no other color tool. This would be a much appreciated addition.
Wow I so want one of these. I have tried to use a Colour Wheel in the past but never really succeeded so hopefully one of these would work for me.
I have never used a color tool before even though a friend gave me a color wheel. I learned a lot from this post and will be able to use the color wheel in the future. If I have a focus fabric, I will use the color dots in the selvage to choose the other fabrics for a project, but mostly I just wing it.
I’ve used a color wheel before (in an old painting book I have). The only problem was it didn’t show all the shades and tints, just the basic colors. I love how you can see it all with Joen’s color tool!
I really need one of those! I am really intimidated when it comes to choosing fabrics. That looks like a great tool! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I am NOT a good color picker, and need some help desperately… this would be a perfect tool for me! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these fabulous prizes
My favorite color tool is my mother! She has a good eye for colors in quilts. So, I could really use this tool so can become more independent! LOL.
I occasionally use a color wheel, but usually think about nature. On a printed piece of fabric I use the dots on the selvage and the Jinny Beyer thougth that one shade off is very good. Usually I prefer to create scrappy and if the colors are not working it means that I need to add more colors, lol.
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Different people see color differently. Not just colorblind. My son went to a visual perceptual specialist when he was 7. We found the things I expected, dyslexia and tracking. I asked if they would perform color blind tests because it runs in our family. The test was a series of cards, with images printed in different sizes and colors of spots, such as different sized spots of red forming a butterfly shape surrounded by green spots forming a background. At the beginging of the test the colors were primary. As they progressed through the stack the colors became more complex, as did the designs. After flipping through 6 or so of the primary the specialist went to the secondary. My son was responding so quickly the Dr. then went to the complicated color section in the back of the stack. What I found out was my son had better color perception that I did! He would give the answer about the time my brain had figured it out. Sometimes even faster. It was a great relief to find he had such good color “vision”, and that I could trust his opinion when he commented on something I was creating
I don’t have a favorite Color Tool–or any color tool yet. I was just saying that I really need one. Right now, my sweetheart is my color advisor. He really is much better than I at seeing what is needed, what is bland, what would complement or add zing. Still, he can’t be here 24 hrs a day, so I’d love to win this great tool. Thanks for the chance.
How awesome is this!!? I completely understand what you mean about thinking a color should blend beautifully, then you hold it up to the focal fabric and give it a big ‘ol thumbs down. How frustrating! I’ve never used a color tool, but can totally see how helpful they would be. Now that I know they’re out there, I’m headin’ out to get one. Thanks!
I have never used a color wheel, but after reading your explanation, this would be much easier than carrying baggies full of swatches with me when I am trying to match fabrics for a project.
My only color tool I’ve used would be my eyes just to “eye-guess” what looks right. I’d love to try the wheel.
I’ve never had a color tool. I would love to win the 3-in-1 Color Tool. Thanks for the giveaway.
The color wheel is my favorite tool so far. The one that I have doesn’t show nearly the number of colors that the Color Tool does. That’s why I would love, love, love to have it.
I use a much more simplified version of this tool – really just a wheel with 24 colors. I always have a problem identifying the colors in my print. Your explanation of tints, tones and shades was excellent.
Your article has shed a whole new light on being able to make color choices for me! I actually have been using something quite cumbersome – paint store color strips. I cannot wait to pick up one of these 3 in 1 color tools.
I have an old color wheel that is very confusing to me. I would love this new tool.
Many times I pull colors from my featured focal fabric.
However, this tool would be wonderful to use to help select colors for not only quilts, but other crafts such as embroidery, crochet, knitting and needlepoint!
I do not understan how to pick fabric that goes together I usually just pick out some I think that goes together. Most of my quilts are boring. This tool would help me alot.
I had a color wheel I used with scrap booking but I gave it to my friend when she got her first grandchild and started scrap booking. I never thought to use it with quilting but definitely see the value. Would love to win and utilize this to branch out on my quilting. Your explanation of how colors are created was awesome!!!! Very straight forward.
I use colored transparency sheets that you can purchase at the office supply store, particularly red and green.
I dont have a color tool, I just have bad eyes, so I take off my glasses and see if anything jumps out, or if it looks good.
I have a color wheel. The color tool looks fantastic! The detail and explanation you gave us was very helpful. If I don’t win one I will just have to buy one!!
Thank you!
I don’t have a color tool and didn’t know it existed. But from the instructions above, this novice sure could use one.
I like my piece of red plexiglass, which I use to determine value when I want a smooth gradation of color.
I use a simple color wheel that has two discs riveted together so you can rotate one against the other to try color combinations.
I have never used a color wheel, but from your blog, I can see why sometimes I have this same problem of colors not being what I’m thinking they are. This would be a great tool to have & learn to use. Here’s hoping I win & thanks for a chance.
I usually have pretty good luck with choosing my colors, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn a new trick or two! Would love to win.
I am very new at quilting and actually need to take some classes. Any tips I can get and any tools that will make it easier to start is greatly appreciated. The color tool appears to be a tool for all beginners. Thanks
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FABULOUS post!!! bookmarking this one, it’s a wonderful insight to the dreaded color selection problem!!
When I get a pattern I try to redirect the colors to suit my needs. I’ll begin the dreaded job of what color should be in the background. The bigger problem begins when I go to my stash to start the process of choosing the forground colors. Using my old versions painters strips and a twenty-some year old color wheel, I have found do not reflect the many available colors on the market and in my own collection of fabrics…..I see now that the Color Tool is a much better way of going about making my decisions. On the Color Tool are more selections than I’ll ever have to make in my lifetime! I certainly wouldn’t mind having one for myself….I believe the Color Tool is exactly what I need to start the process!
I am a beginner quilter and have been considering purchasing a color wheel. I usually take a sample of the fabric I want to match to help choose the colors. I was not sure how helpful the color wheel would be until I read your article. Many thanks! I will be purchasing one today!
I was researching this color wheel because I’m considering taking an online course Joen Wolfrom teaches called Color Play for Quilters. I thought that it looked like fun but I wasn’t sure it would really benefit me. Seeing your real life demonstration of how to work with the color tool tells me that this is something I really want to learn. Thanks for such a clear example!
I have one of Joan’s books on using colors in nature. I realy enjoyed reading it and think having the color guide would really help with matching fabrics
Hi,
The ColorWheel Tool is my favorite. Certainly helps with your coordinating fabric choices. Nice!
I’ve struggled with color and just how to use color wheel. I think that color wheel would come in handy.
Using a color wheel is a fantastic idea. I’ll be ordering one soon!