by Sandra | October 21st, 2009
Denise made a comment that is really true. Black fabrics in any number can be difficult to find. I found this true a long time ago when I started applique-ing and I find it true today. Yes, there are many fabrics out on the market that include black, but as far as a black that reads as a solid? Not so much. Appliquers generally go with a solid black, which is always on the shelves. Which is silly really considering we determine value in COLOR by using a value scale that is white to black. Plain solid black = flat.
There are values in black too and an appliquer is well served to buy a fat quarter, or more, whenever they see them. You have to collect black fabrics more than any other color out there. I am going to call it a color even though technically it is a shade.
The Halloween season is the bumper time to increase your variety of black fabrics. The fabric maufacturers are getting more and more creative and increasing the selection with their offerings for this season and the choices are growing when it comes to tone on tone and “read as solid” black fabrics. I particularly look for choices that offer the appearance of built in texture.
Most of my black fabrics are used for birds (like that was a surprise) and I need something that gives the illusion of that. Can you see that textural hint of interest in some of the above fabrics? Like the little black dress, black fabrics never go out of style. They are classic and will never look dated in your stash or in your quilts. It is money well spent to boost your collection whenever you find suitable applique candidates. Black makes everything pop and look their best and it goes with anything. It is fabulous dah-ling.
I have blacks that can have a blue hue, a green hue, strange hues etc. Yes, blacks can have hues so beware of this as you buy and build your collection. A good selection of values, hues and visual texture is what you are striving for and your applique will sing and have wonderful depth. Black fabrics are the gold in a treasure hunt. They are fun to find and collect.
all content ©2009 Sandra Leichner all rights reserved
tons of blacks if you want to take the time to look in this site
http://search.myquiltshops.com/cgi-server/quiltshops/nph-myqssearch.cgi?thumbnails=
Boop I scanned quickly through and found some that I think are good possibilities.
I created smaller links to click on:
http://tinyurl.com/ykjybw4
http://tinyurl.com/yhzmz66
http://tinyurl.com/ykte9kr
http://tinyurl.com/ygq36s8
http://tinyurl.com/yjukqyn
http://tinyurl.com/ylxownj
Oh and p.s. Boop, thanks for the link to search a LOT of quilt shops for the perfect fabric. Being able to click on “thumbnail search” is fabulous! You are going to get me into trouble.
I know ! LOL !
here is another one
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/mallhome/browse_items.asp?store_id=582&sub_department_id=landscape&View_All=Y#toppage
Thank you Sandra and Boop, now I too am in big trouble!
Ohboy-oboy-oboy! “But, honey! Sandra TOLD me I had to build my black stash, and NOW’S the PERfect time of the year to do it!” Well, if I must, I must!
Oh boy you guys are funny today! Are we in danger of enabling each other?
Dear Sandra
The solution to appropriate black fabric for applique-ing – as well as other colors – is staring us right in the face. We need a “Sandra Leichner fabric line.” So please add that to our requests for a DVD and a second book.
And by the way – all the products that you recommend to us – do what the others do : sell them on your site. As long as you leave time for your family and the blog.
welllllllllllllllll I was always taught to share : )
here are two of my favorite places !
http://www.thousandsofbolts.com/
http://www.batiksplus.com/ ( they also have retired batiks )
Reading all of this = me being in soooooo much trouble!
Eva, welcome to the club or is it “support group”? LOL
Bad Boop! LOL
Sara,
I have found a new source to create, and have printed, my own designs on fabric that will sell any amount of yardage to me! (think bolts) It is on the pile of things to do. Oh to have my own fabrics that I can mix up like paint if I can’t find a commercially available alternative. Heaven.
WOW!!!!!! that sounds like fun !
What a great black post – I love the blacks you have shown!
Thanks Ivory Spring, oh if you could only see the rest.