We're having fun with EPP (English Paper Piecing) hexagon blocks in the
Glorious Hexagons Quilt Along and posting and sharing pictures. Initially, I was piecing hexagons with random fabrics from various fabric companies just to get into the swing of the program and the technique. This "hexing with abandon" method can be crazy-fun, however, if you're looking for a more cohesive, unified look, you might consider creating and working with a
color board.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS2JnasMCBzRzMo5K9llNr5_s9ta3eeLM4WCzACONcZUOpKpr4Y2ivjqbZhNqHNKdgIV5eKjV905hCezNy5ELL305jajVTdxHSanKzJYs_nmYYhJgaQ2LaGVzF__FOFef7vzpjtYroNE/s400/bluepalette.jpg) |
Color board of cool colors; primarily blues and greens. |
A tip that JoAnne at
Paper Pieces suggested before I started the
Glorious Hexagon Quilt Along, was to pull two or three "inspiration fabrics"—in essence, a color board—from which to base color and fabric choices. Most focal prints from a fabric collection are great choices for this. Above is a cool color board and below is a warm color board.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46nDH2MR8bzGOl52QQLjAS1nvoTmd8vEPyCFyA_dD-bDu__X1Hgl2LlQcuAlzpzglmgN0Z330CJgXLOcHdecs-9fCQ7mrlddMGkb-uBHudMC_Zp3SDUHPt2hvzlf_aHWb2ZCiAZD7cpQ/s400/warmpalette1a.jpg) |
Color board of warm colors: yellows, oranges, reds. |
From these main fabrics, you can add the supporting cast of coordinating prints and blenders. Here is how I flushed out these two color boards with other fabrics.
In the first, more blues and greens were added... light and dark... and a white to add a coolness and a sparkle... also a yellow-orange/cheddar-colored fabric to add a little zing (orange is the complement of blue).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMne2GGJf9UyiNKiM_t71iKbzAZos823HQkCG7OnHupIpxqa7EYaZrNaQLNii0cKfICgLSghbzVwhWYd6YBrHU5CGpxUZdbyFaSVRxwZL6Qv0vvPa7Qo4P7N80kY0CM2SjyJKKZpo1xs/s400/bluepalette2.jpg) |
Ensemble of fabrics for the blue/green color palette. |
When choosing other ensemble members for your color board, remember the
Elements of Design: value, texture and color; and the
Principles of Design: scale, variety, contrast and repetition. This will make your color board interesting yet cohesive. Below is the warm color palette.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_SOM2hK28NZi_BQbHWQY2ACAk0KLnI0x6MD_4MVa2rQXeXRE6B9sPgzHfVbYsDheQ8m62uYqVokH4u-lv9Dt6zYPe1n0VyigwGlnPQiKZkOkNMUwp6aj2CKBSmPMM-lOGNmV60XepM/s400/warmpalette2.jpg) |
Ensemble of fabrics for the warm color palette. |
Here is another color board that is grounded in grays (white, black and grays) with accents of rich, bright jewel tones.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGG4TOuPxokREgKEFsBKo6wFTrqHPJZotCPuOqhjMtiJm46MWgDeGntyQ9K7BA6nOOrE8dKZVlF3iBU2T31xGs7QBdMVMTVVBZkc9-8m091D7PprbPf_BteHlw5hj9tYo1ZrNCKSF9lY/s400/neutralpalette.jpg) |
Whites, grays and blacks highlighted with bright colors. |
Blender fabrics do a great job giving breadth and depth to this grayscale color board.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RD83yBG93NrHnTOxb_j2RQodAQQDhEV47ZwPi664TGV5zx3N1fvXeCi8UmKY0JYQEWWt8wHu53HikPhu9ftHWwD3xHxwpKwqcXYitlR0-hoQSdvmvkinarMU5xubEs1BYkcNWtas30E/s400/neutralpalette2.jpg) |
Adding interest and extending the color range with tonal blenders. |
Hexagon block #19 Nicole illustrates the use of the red, blue and green tonal blenders with black/white prints.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7MX3hL-29tuzn6FrpmM2JOaPQir2eftmUJJwmaFHthzTI0M3Cm5wN8TX3DT5c7-Gq7z4SVLzDZyxce5JEy7QJnB4IPoKNXZt_az9KzJJ8at1D1QmCwmmF8WVRhL_hpCPR_G2NR1PRhU/s400/ladyclair_smalltalk_19nicole.jpg) |
#19 Nicole block from "The New Hexagon" book and Glorious Hexagons. |
For another take on the concept of color boards,
here is a video of Nathan Turner for Pottery Barn, creating and working with a
mood board. It's just a matter of starting with things you like and auditioning additions so everything goes together.
As a fabric collection is built around a main fabric or focus print, a color board provides a roadmap for choosing other fabrics and coordinates. So, you might try orchestrating your Glorious Hexagon symphony around a color board to help with the fabric decision-making process. If you like the "Hexie with Abandon" approach, then have fun with the process and see where your hexagons take you. Nothing wrong with either path!