I did a ton of research and watched hours of youtube. I found you could buy quilting fabricsin many different ways: charms (5 inch squares), layer cakes (10 inch squares), jelly rolls ( 2 1/2 inches across width of fabric), fat quarters ( 18″ x 22″ or 1/4 yard).I also discovered there are lots of different fusing and backing materials you could use. EEEEEEEEK!! I was overwhelmed. Time for a visit with a quilting friend who knew a lot more about quilting than me.
When I arrived, she had already collected a lot of scraps for me to start my material collection, but there were still a lot of colors I needed for my project, so off to the quilting store we went.
Oh my goodness. Too many choices. I finally decided I wanted to use batik fabric. It had beautiful colors and either side could be used. Ialso wanted several prints and shades of each color that was in my pattern. My plan was to build a palette of primary and secondary colors in light, medium and dark just as if I were using paint.
This is what I chose.These had most of the colors I needed.
More fabric, I needed more fabric. I went to the quilting store where I lived. I felt a little more comfortable now. I knew the language. The clerk was very helpful. They have a whole room of batik fabric, but I still didn’t find everything I needed. There is a quilting store in Missouri (so my friend told me) that takes up a whole town with quilt stores. Oh my, surely they would have the rest of what I needed. I ordered 5inch packs with the rest of the colors I needed.
This is pure happiness. I can’t wait for the next step
Lois R. Davis Artist 