August is upon us, and it's a wonderful time to consider how summer can be an ideal moment to plan for the upcoming working year. With the longer days and a more relaxed pace, summer offers a perfect opportunity to envision and organize our quilting projects for the months ahead.

Planning new quilts, especially for upcoming seasons like Halloween and Christmas, can be both exciting and practical. By starting early, we can ensure our creations are ready in time to add a festive touch to our homes or to be given as heartfelt gifts.

QuiltInk is here to support you, {name}, throughout your planning process, no matter where you are. Whether you're on vacation or enjoying a staycation, our platform is accessible and user-friendly, making it easy to design and plan your quilts from anywhere. Use this time to explore new patterns, experiment with different fabrics, and map out your projects for the rest of the year.

With QuiltInk, you can visualize your ideas, test out color combinations, and get a clear picture of your finished quilt before you even start cutting fabric. Our tools are designed to help you plan efficiently, ensuring that when you're ready to start sewing, you have a well-thought-out plan in place.

So, {name}, as you enjoy the warm summer days, take a moment to think ahead and plan your quilting journey. QuiltInk is here to help you the first steps of the way, providing the resources and inspiration you need to bring your quilting visions to life.

Happy planning, and don't miss out on the exciting news and updates in this month's newsletter!

Do you like our newsletter?

We encourage you to forward it to your friends so they can learn more about our free quilt pattern coloring digital platform and join our thrilling community.

Thank you so much for being part of this. Enjoy all the fun content below!

Nine new patterns have been activated during the month of July in QuiltInk, and we are excited to welcome a new designer! Kelley from Modern Groove has joined us, contributing four patterns to the platform, including her just-released Showcase!

Simply click on the following images to begin coloring the patterns directly!

Please note that the two patterns with a lock icon are from the Toad Circle, and you need to be a member to access these coloring pages.

Remember, with QuiltInk, you can easily access the designers' websites to obtain a copy of the pattern and start sewing.

We are thrilled to introduce a long-awaited feature in QuiltInk: Fabric Requirements! This new option allows users to determine how much fabric they need to sew a mock-up created in QuiltInk.

We've been planning this for a while, and we're excited to finally bring it to you, though we will continue to improve it with some extra additions in the coming weeks.

Why is this Important?

Planning a quilt project involves more than just coloring—knowing the exact fabric requirements is crucial. This feature will make your quilting process more efficient and cost-effective.

Once you have the pattern and the mock-up ready in QuiltInk, you can download the color list sheet with the exact fabric requirements for your chosen fabrics. Take this sheet to your local fabric shop or use it to shop online for the fabrics you used to color your mock-up. Cool, right? No more guessing which fabric in the pattern corresponds to your chosen colors. It's easier and faster!

Adding the Fabric Requirements

Fabric requirements will be stated by the designers in the color layouts. Any mock-up created using a color layout with fabric requirements will display them. Note that these requirements won't be visible in mock-ups made a priori.

Fabric Shops are also able to set up the fabric requirements in the kits they create with the patterns in QuiltInk. This makes it even easier to get the fabrics for a pattern since you can be sure the fabric shops will have the fabrics they showcase in QuiltInk. Simply send them the export sheet to get your fabrics and start sewing!

Supporters have the ability to add fabric requirements to any mock-up they create in the platform, for public or private patterns. This allows them to enjoy this feature even before the designers add the fabric requirements to the patterns themselves.

Next week, I'll be adding tutorials to teach designers, fabric shops and supporters how to add fabric requirements to their profiles. Stay tuned if you want to know more about it!

Note: The backing and binding fabric requirements can also be added, although the fabric can't be chosen yet. I have a really fun addition in mind related to backing and binding that I can't wait to share with you! Don't miss future newsletters to learn more about it.

Consulting the Fabric Requirements

Once a pattern or mock-up has the fabric requirements added and you've created your color version, you can check the fabric you need in two places:

The Exporting Sheet: Previously, you could check the fabrics you used to color the mock-up on the exporting sheet. Now, this sheet displays a list of the fabrics along with the fabric labels in the pattern and the amount of each fabric needed. You can download this sheet as a PDF and print it or use it digitally to buy your fabrics.

Color Used Icon: We plan to also display the fabric requirements in the "Colors Used" icon on the coloring page. This will allow you to know how much of each fabric you need while coloring, without needing to check the exporting sheet.

Important Note:

1. This option works with merged pieces in a mock-up. If you unmerge the pieces of a mock-up, the fabric requirements previously stated will disappear. You won't be able to recover them and will need to start again if you want to include the fabric requirements.
2. Fabric requirements will only be displayed in mock-ups created from patterns with the fabric requirements already added, or those manually added. All previous mock-ups won't display the fabric requirements automatically.

Let's celebrate

As a thank you for being part of my newsletter, {name}, I’m excited to gift you a free month of Supporter features on QuiltInk. Enjoy perks like adding fabric requirements to your mock-ups, high-quality downloading, and unlimited custom palettes.

Here’s how to claim your free month:

1. Follow QuiltInk on Instagram, @quilt_ink.
2. Send me a private message on Instagram letting me know you’re from the newsletter. I’ll then send you a link to activate your free month of Supporter subscription features on QuiltInk!

As I have mentioned in the past, I am a numbers nerd! I love checking the statistics for QuiltInk and tracking all kinds of numbers.

So, I am excited to announce that QuiltInk has reached some significant milestones:

• 300 active patterns (304 right now).
• 9,000 published mock-ups from currently added patterns (9,088 exactly).
• 570 patterns hosted by QuiltInk over the past years (573 right now).
• 22,300 mock-ups created on the platform from any hosted pattern over the years (22,311 right now).

Additionally, I personally prepare each color layout that designers offer for you to color their patterns. Considering that patterns, on average, can have about 3 sizes, I've set up around 1,500 skeletons! And you know what? I can't wait to set up even more!

There are not many pattern releases for August that I am aware of right now. However, there have been 3 releases on August first days, and some active SALs you can still join.

If any new releases or events pop up during the next month, we will announce it in our social media, @quilt_ink . Follow us on Instagram to enjoy our fun pattern announcement videos and the weekly #qink_mockupmonday !

September is coming with a lot of new patterns, so stay tuned!

Designers:

• Amy Mogren of Ritual Quilt Company
• Michelle Corless of Compass & Wildflower Studio
• Valerie Krokosky of Farmer's Daughter Stitches
• Jaimie Vanpernis of Sews by Day
• Lindsay Tiedemann of Pins In A Blanket Quilt Co
• Cynthia Hilfiger of Longarm Quilter
• Lori Parker of Garryana Quilt Co
• Mary Burroughs-Mayer of Ember Craft Company
• Sara Marie of Sara Lucielle Handmade
• Kristin Weiss of Heart Lake Quilts

After exploring the QuiltInk palettes and the used colors option in our past newsletters, this month, let's dive into the color search option. This tool can significantly streamline your design process, ensuring you find the perfect colors for your quilt mock-ups with ease.

Why Use the Color Search Option?

The color search option is a powerful feature designed to help you quickly locate and select specific colors or fabrics from our extensive library. Whether you're looking for a particular shade to match your project or exploring new palettes, this tool makes it easy to find exactly what you need without endless scrolling.

How to Use the Color Search Option

Accessing the Tool: Click the color search icon at the bottom right of the icons section on any QuiltInk coloring page.

Searching for Colors: Simply type in the name of the color or fabric you're looking for. The search bar will suggest matches as you type, making it easier to find the exact shade you need.

Selecting Colors: Once you've found your desired color, click on it to use it to fill in your mock-up pieces. Selecting one color will display the entire palette it belongs to on the coloring page.

Benefits of Using the Color Search Option

• Efficiency: Save time by quickly finding the colors and fabrics you need.
• Precision: Ensure your mock-up is exactly how you envision it by selecting the perfect shades.

The color search option is just one of the many tools QuiltInk offers to enhance your quilting experience. By mastering this feature, you can make your design process more efficient and enjoyable.

Happy coloring!

This article marks the last one in our exploration of color meanings. In upcoming newsletters, we will start diving into the fascinating world of color combinations and their impact on quilt designs.

Delving further into the vibrant tapestry of colors, we now explore the serene and soothing hues of cool tertiary colors. These colors, formed by blending primary and secondary hues, introduce a unique depth and tranquility to quilt designs.

In our previous newsletter, we grouped the 12 tertiary colors into two categories: warm and cool. Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color, resulting in a diverse spectrum of captivating tones. Warm tertiary colors include red-orange, red-yellow, yellow-orange, yellow-green, green-yellow, and blue-green, while cool tertiary colors consist of blue-purple, purple-blue, red-purple, purple-red, green-blue, and yellow-blue. This month, we will delve into the cool tertiary colors.

Cool tertiary colors, such as blue-purple, purple-blue, red-purple, purple-red, green-blue, and yellow-blue, exude a unique calmness and sophistication.

MEANING

These cool tertiary colors emerge as symbols of tranquility, introspection, and elegance, evoking imagery of twilight skies, serene waters, and delicate blooms. With their associations with calmness and depth, these colors embody a sense of peace and contemplation that resonates deeply with the human psyche. Their soothing and reflective qualities make cool tertiary colors versatile choices for infusing quilts with a sense of serenity and sophistication.

Blue-purple, purple-blue, red-purple, purple-red, green-blue, and yellow-blue can evoke feelings of calm and introspection, serving as tranquil anchors in quilt designs. Whether used to convey the serenity of a quiet evening or the depth of a serene lake, these colors add layers of meaning and depth to quilts, imbuing them with a sense of elegance and tranquility.

FOCAL POINT

As tertiary colors born from the blending of primary and secondary hues, cool tertiary colors occupy unique positions within the color spectrum. Their balance of cool tones makes them captivating focal points in quilt designs, drawing the eye and imbuing the fabric with a sense of calm and depth. When paired with complementary colors or juxtaposed against warmer tones, cool tertiary colors create striking visual contrasts that enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of quilts.

In quilting projects, these cool hues serve as focal points that anchor the design and guide the viewer's gaze across the fabric. Their serene and sophisticated presence infuses quilts with a sense of tranquility and depth, transforming them into calming works of art. By strategically incorporating cool tertiary colors into quilt designs, quilters can create compositions that evoke a sense of contemplation and elegance.

QUILTING APPLICATION

Incorporating cool tertiary colors into quilting projects opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing quilters to experiment with a diverse range of shades and patterns. From the rich, calming tones of blue-purple to the serene, reflective hues of green-blue, these colors offer a spectrum of options for adding tranquility and sophistication to quilt designs. Whether used as dominant colors or as subtle accents, cool tertiary colors can be combined with other hues to create visually captivating compositions that resonate with a sense of peace and elegance.

As you continue your quilting journey, consider the unique impact that cool tertiary colors can have on your designs. Experiment with different shades and combinations, and embrace the soothing energy that these tranquil colors bring to your quilts. Stay tuned for more insights as we begin to explore the fascinating world of color combinations in our upcoming newsletters!

At this moment, the first thing that comes to mind when I think about sharing something with you is that I need a holiday! I've been working really hard on QuiltInk with nearly no days off for years. It feels like I'm taking care of a growing baby—new options, new patterns, new designers, social media posts, newsletters, questions... I truly love all of this, but it's quite mind-consuming to handle so many things alone. Lately, I've noticed that I can't think as clearly as before, which probably means I need a vacation!

And what will I do to disconnect? Mostly, I plan to enjoy more time with my children, connect with the sea and nature, and make sure to get some exercise outside. I'll be going to the sea, taking sun baths, and perhaps indulging in a good book or two—specifically, reading the first book my 11-year-old daughter has written, which has more than 150 pages! I'll also be helping my little kiddo learn new guitar songs. For outdoor activities, I’ll be taking care of my vegetable garden and enjoying the simple pleasures of gardening. The goal is to recharge and come back with even more energy and ideas for QuiltInk!

Are you new and want to learn all the tips about QuiltInk I explained in the previous newsletter?

Curious about the designers in QuiltInk we interviewed during the past months?

Or are you willing to follow up on our Color Theory section, being aware of the meaning and usage of each one of the colors we have already talked about?

Visit our Newsletter Archive, where you will be able to access all this fun content!

Ready to elevate not just your creativity but also your business on QuiltInk? Whether you're a Designer wanting to showcase your patterns for public coloring, a Fabric Shop looking to feature fabrics and offer kits, or a Supporter willing to enjoy unlimited printed fabrics and the ability to upload private patterns — we have plans designed to amplify your quilting journey. Explore all the QuiltInk Plans and elevate your artistic and business potential today!

We can't express our gratitude enough for your contribution to our vibrant community. Every day, it grows stronger and more vibrant, all thanks to each and every one of you.

Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Warm regards,
Catalina
QuiltInk
www.quiltink.com