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As the days stretch longer and the light around us grows softer, I find myself reflecting deeply on how lucky I am to be part of such a vibrant and caring quilting community. Reading your thoughtful responses to last month’s newsletter has truly warmed my heart. Your words remind me every time that QuiltInk is not just a platform or a tool—it’s a living, breathing space where creativity and kindness meet, where each of us brings something unique to the shared quilt we’re all stitching together.
Many of you reached out with honest reflections about the challenges we’re facing—from rising costs to the small but real frustrations of keeping our passion alive in difficult times. What touched me most, though, was your willingness to share ideas and suggestions, not just to cope, but to grow stronger as a community. One idea kept coming back to me: how wonderful it would be to have a space where we can connect more freely, chat in real time, swap tips, and maybe even team up to make quilting a little easier and more affordable for everyone.
So I’ve been thinking a lot about opening a Discord channel just for QuiltInk — a cozy corner of the internet where we can gather, share, ask questions, organize group fabric orders, and simply be there for each other beyond the patterns and pixels. This feels like a natural next step to deepen our connections and to make QuiltInk not only a place for digital quilting, but a true community home.
Before moving forward, though, I’d love to know what you think. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please take a moment to answer the quick survey linked below. Your voice means everything to me, and it will help shape a space that truly belongs to all of us.
Last month I shared a free printable sheet about the meaning of colors in quilting — and I loved how many of you found it inspiring! This month, I’m excited to include the next shareable in this little series: a handy color wheel designed to help you master warm and cool tones in your quilts. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful as you continue creating your beautiful projects!
And now, for this month’s newsletter… I’m thrilled to share with you a fresh batch of inspiring new patterns, upcoming events you won’t want to miss, fascinating interviews that dive deep into the minds behind the fabric, and of course, our latest challenge — featuring a prize so tempting, I guarantee you won’t be able to resist joining in!
Thank you for being part of this beautiful journey. Let’s keep stitching our stories together, one thoughtful step at a time.
With all my heart,
Catalina 💛 |
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YOUR NEXT COLOR GIFT AWAITS
Thanks to the great feedback I received from the previous downloadable sheet, I’ve prepared another special surprise for you in this newsletter—designed to help you deepen your understanding of color (because in quilting, color truly matters!). |
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💌 Enjoying the QuiltInk Newsletter?
We’d love for you to share it with your friends! Forward this email so they can discover our free digital platform for coloring quilt patterns and become part of our vibrant, growing community.
Thank you for being here—we appreciate you! Now, let’s dive into all the exciting updates below! |
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June is here, and with it comes a fresh wave of creativity on QuiltInk! Take a moment to explore the beautiful new patterns that have joined our library throughout May.
We're especially excited to welcome Jennifer Walters from Manderley Makes, who joined QuiltInk in May. We can’t wait to see the patterns she’ll be uploading—be sure to visit her profile and give her a warm welcome!
This past month, a total of 10 new patterns have been activated by our amazing community of designers. From striking modern designs to timeless classics, there’s something for every style and mood. Pick your favorites, color them your way, and get inspired for your next quilt project!
🔒 Reminder: Patterns with a lock icon require a code from the designer to access the coloring pages. |
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We’re excited to introduce a new feature on QuiltInk! You can now filter quilt patterns by difficulty level and yardage type, making it even easier to discover the perfect match for your next project.
To try it out, just click the three-lines icon at the top of the pattern gallery and choose the filters that best fit your needs.
Please note: not all patterns have this information yet, as designers are gradually adding the details. Thanks for your patience as the feature fills up with more data!
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A COZY QUILTINK SPACE TO CHAT, SHARE & CONNECT?
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After receiving such wonderful feedback from last month’s newsletter, one idea kept coming back again and again: how amazing it would be to have a space where we can interact in real time, ask questions, swap tips, and support each other beyond the QuiltInk platform.
So… I’m considering opening a QuiltInk Discord channel, and I’d love to hear what you think.
Here’s what we could do there:
- Ask for help when you're stuck between two color mock-ups — the community is always ready to chime in
- Ask for and offer feedback on fabric choices
- Enjoy a collaborative and supportive space, like coordinating group fabric orders to save on shipping
- Get sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and ideas in progress
- Have some fun together — maybe even a cozy cooking channel for recipe swaps and kitchen joy
- Access private channels for designers, shops, and supporters, where I can better answer your questions and others can learn and contribute too
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, please take a moment to fill out the quick survey below.
Your input will help shape this new space from the very beginning.
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I’ll be honest — I’ve never used Discord to host a community before, so this will be new territory for me! But I’m excited about the idea, and I imagine this as something we’ll build together — shaping it little by little into a space that feels warm, useful, and truly ours.
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PALETTE UPDATE - 12 NEW PURE SOLIDS - AGF
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Did you know Art Gallery Fabrics has released 12 beautiful new Pure Solids? Soft, sweet pastel shades that are perfect for mixing, matching, and dreaming up your next colorful mock-up.
We’ve just added them to the AGF Pure Solids palette on QuiltInk—and you’ll find these 12 new colors right at the beginning of the palette, so you don’t have to go searching and can start experimenting with them right away!
Whether you’re refreshing your fabric favorites or simply playing with soft new hues, these pastels are ready to inspire your next creation.
And don’t forget to share your mock-ups on the QuiltInk Wall and on Instagram tagging us (@quilt_ink) and Art Gallery Fabrics (@artgalleryfabrics)—we’re sure they’ll be thrilled to see them!
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NEW PALETTE: WINDHAM ARTISAN COTTONS
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We're excited to introduce the Artisan Cottons palette from Windham Fabrics to QuiltInk! These fabrics are known for their unique cross-dyed, two-tone effect, offering a rich depth of color.
To enhance your digital experience, we've adapted these into solid colors within QuiltInk, ensuring faster loading times while closely matching the real fabric's appearance.
This addition not only supports the setup of the QuiltCon palette, as requested by some of our subscribers, but also expands your creative options within QuiltInk.
Explore the new palette and bring your designs to life with these vibrant hues!
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🔹 Do you know a palette that needs to be updated?
🔹 Would you like us to add a new solids palette to QuiltInk?
Let us know! Your feedback helps keep QuiltInk an invaluable tool for the quilting community.
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We're excited to announce that the official QuiltCon 2026 color palettes are now available in the Solids section of QuiltInk!
Windham Artisan Cotton 2026 Fabric Challenge
This year's fabric challenge features a palette curated by Hillary Goodwin, the QuiltCon 2026 Featured Speaker, inspired by her upbringing in North Carolina. The selected fabrics are from the Windham Artisan Cottons collection, known for their beautiful cross-weaves and subtle shimmer.
Challenge Details:
- Use 3 to 6 colors from the provided palette.
- No additional fabrics, including neutrals, are allowed on the quilt top or binding.
- Any fabric may be used for the quilt backing.
- Maximum quilt size: 90” per side.
- Must be a current MQG member to participate.
- Submissions open September 1, 2025, and close October 31, 2025.
More information about the Windham Artisan Cotton 2026 Fabric Challenge
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Community Outreach Challenge
Gather your local MQG or team of Individual MQG members and start planning your medallion-style quilt! Choose one of the two official color palettes (Brights or Blues) and use it in its entirety. This challenge is a great way to collaborate and play with repeating shapes and secondary patterns.
Challenge Details:
- Open to MQG local guilds or teams of Individual MQG members.
- Use all colors from one official palette; solids or prints (or both) are fine.
- No other colors or neutrals allowed on the quilt top or binding.
- Quilt size must be between 60”x80” and 65”x85”.
- Must follow the Medallion theme.
- Group project only – solo entries are not accepted.
- Submissions open October 15, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. ET and close December 15, 2025, or when 80 entries are received.
- A rendered design or quilt top photo is required to enter.
- $25 entry fee per quilt.
- No prize – quilts may be listed for sale to benefit selected non-profits.
More information about the Community Outreach Challenge
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Have You Visited the Color Hub Yet?
Last month, we launched the QuiltInk Color Hub — and it’s been a great success! I’ve received wonderful feedback, and so many of you have already checked it out.
If you haven’t explored it yet, this is your sign to dive in! The Color Hub is your go-to space to understand color theory and find inspiration for your mock-ups.
We’ve just added new resources all about color and quilting — don’t miss them!
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YOUR 2nd GIFT: QUILTER'S COLOR WHEEL
Let’s keep building your color confidence! This time, I’m bringing you a downloadable color wheel designed especially for quilters. You’ll find primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, plus a helpful warm/cool division to better understand how color temperature plays a role in your quilts.
If you're thinking, “Shouldn’t this have come first?” — maybe. But I truly believe understanding the emotion of color before diving into its structure gives it all a bit more meaning. That’s why we started with the mood and story each color brings to your designs.
Now, with this wheel in hand, you’ll be able to connect those feelings to practical color choices. Whether you're planning a bold contrast or a peaceful harmony, this wheel will help you make those decisions more intuitively.
So print it, pin it near your sewing space, and keep it close when choosing your next palette!
Stay tuned — there are more tools coming your way!
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June is blooming with creative energy and inspiring events! From exciting pattern releases and a brand new Block of the Month, to a gorgeous book and even a retreat, there's something for everyone this month in the quilting community.
Whether you're looking to dive into a new design, join a group project, or simply stay inspired, June brings plenty of chances to connect and create.
Keep an eye on our Instagram @quilt_ink for any additional releases or updates throughout the month. And don’t forget to join in on the fun with our #qink_mockupmonday for your weekly dose of inspiration! |
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Capture the beauty and majesty of the most beautiful places in the National Parks and create a spectacular piece of quilt art with Quilting the National Parks. Master quilter and owner of Bookends Quilting, Stephanie Forster, presents twenty original quilting patterns, each one inspired by the most beloved places in our National Parks, from the Grand Canyon to the Indiana Dunes. From pillows to wall hangings, throws to bed quilts, there is a project for every area of your home and skill level. With clear and concise pattern instructions, glorious images of the finished quilts, and full-size removable templates for the fabric pieces, this book will have you creating a modern masterpiece of some of the most classic landscapes our National Parks have to offer. |
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BLOCK OF THE MONTH |
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Nutcracker Ballet BOM by Alderwood Studio
Starting: June 1st.
Dates: June - December. |
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Step into a world of holiday magic with this Nutcracker Ballet-themed Block of the Month! Inspired by the timeless story and filled with whimsical details, this BOM runs from June to December and brings the beloved characters and scenes of the ballet to life—one foundation paper pieced block at a time. Follow the optional embroidery instructions at the end to bring some magical holiday sparkle! |
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MEMEBERSHIP |
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Tasha Quilts Membership
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A brand-new quilting membership has just launched, and early subscribers can still take advantage of the founder’s price: $5/month or $50/year, available through June 30, 2025.
The membership includes exclusive challenges, patterns, and group sew days via Zoom, offering a welcoming and creative space for quilters to connect and grow.
Petals Crossing, will be released on June 10, 2025, and will be available only to members.
It’s the perfect time to join and become part of a vibrant quilting community from the very beginning. |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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Petals Crossing by Tasha Quilts
Date: June 10th. |
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Petals Crossing combines curves and vibrant colors in a design inspired by a walk through the garden. This throw-size quilt is perfect for showcasing your favorite spring and summer fabrics. Confident beginners and seasoned quilters alike will love how smoothly it comes together! Available exclusively in my membership |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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North Country Star by Plains and Pine
Date: June 13th. |
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The Southwest Knit Quilt pattern contains directions for baby, throw, twin, and king sizes, with a two-tone version and a fat quarter version. This is a confident beginner pattern. |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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Afterglow by Sewspicious
Date: June 20th. |
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Afterglow is a beginner friendly pattern created using one block constructed in two ways. The block design is inspired by two of Vickeidy's favorite traditional quilt blocks—the Churn Dash and the Nine Patch. This updated version brings a bold, modern twist to a classic look. |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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Afterglow 2.0 by Sewspicious
Date: June 20th. |
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Afterglow 2.0 is the supersized version of the original Afterglow pattern. This design features a larger block for easier, faster sewing. The block design is inspired by two of Vickeidy's favorite traditional quilt blocks—the Churn Dash and the Nine Patch. This updated version brings a bold, modern twist to a classic look. |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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The 5720 Quilt by Millie & Bun Designs
Dates: June 23th. |
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The 5720 Quilt is a bold, geometric beginner friendly pattern that comes together in no time using HST blocks, partial square in a square blocks, and strip pieced blocks. This pattern gives you two quilts at once! When you make the Throw size (56" x 72"), there are instructions on how to make the Mini (15" x 24") using the Throw offcuts. Or, the pattern includes instructions on how to make the Mini on its own. The 5720 Quilt, with a graphic floral vibe, may be just the right pattern to kick off the summer season! |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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Stargrove by Crafty Moose Quilts
Date: June 24th. |
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Stargrove was inspired by our favorite way to reset—escaping the rush of city life to breathe in fresh air, wander through the trees, and look up at a sky full of stars. My husband and I return to nature when life feels too loud, and it always reminds us to slow down, reconnect, and appreciate the simple things. With star and tree blocks repeating like footsteps on a forest path, this pattern is a stitched invitation to pause, unplug, and find beauty in stillness.
The construction is 100% Stitch-and-Flip! I kept the technique just as simple as a the design so you can sit and sew while you watch your favorite Hallmark movie or listen to your favorite Christmas carols. Make the cover version with a single background color, the Color Block version with alternating background colors, or the Scrappy Mix & Match version with Fat Quarters or 1/3 yard cuts. The construction is exactly the same for all 3 versions.
Table Runner: 24" x 64"
Lap Quilt: 40" x 48"
Throw Quilt: 56" x 72"
Bed Quilt: 80" x 96" |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
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Harlequin Bloom by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Date: June 27th. |
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The Harlequin Bloom Quilt is a fresh, modern spin on the classic diamond motif. Designed with versatility in mind, it works beautifully with 10” squares, Fat Quarters, or yardage—making it easy to pull from your stash or feature a favorite fabric line. Bold shapes and clean lines make this pattern the perfect canvas to let your fabric shine. |
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BLOCK OF THE MONTH |
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The Birdwatchers Project by Julia Wachs and Jennifer Walters
Early bird registration: June 12th
General registration: July 1st
First block release: July 10th |
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The Birdwatchers Project is a 14 block foundation paper pieced pattern, with the blocks delivered as a row of the month pattern. Each block pattern will be available within The Birdwatchers Project membership.
The birds in this quilt are inspired by the game of Wingspan, designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and sold by Stonemaier Games. The game artwork is done by Natalia Rojas and Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo.
Included with the pattern:
- 14 foundation paper piecing patterns of birds native to North America.
- Color palette assistance. You will see the colors used in our cover quilts, along with resources for planning out your own color palette.
- Fabric requirements.
- FPP tutorial.
- Instructions on how to piece them all together into a large throw quilt with sashing.
You can sew your blocks into the throw sized quilt, or create individual pillows / wall hangings! Choose your own adventure. |
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RETREAT |
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Warped Rainbow Retreat by Maureen Garner Quilts
Dates: Aug 21th - 24th |
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Make a Warped Rainbow quilt with Maureen Garner at Tennessee Quilts Retreats in East Tennessee. The dates are August 21-24. The cost is only $400 and includes meals, shared room, the Warped Rainbow classes, and pattern! |
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BLOCK OF THE MONTH |
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Combo Star BOM by Plains an Pine
Dates: January - August 2025. |
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Details: This skill-building quilt pattern is a 8 month block of the month quilt pattern. Each month you will receive a pattern for each "block" of the quilt and step-by-step video instruction to walk you through each step of the quilt. 4 sizes. Intermediate skill level. |
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This month, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Vickeidy Plybon of Sewspicious! Based in NYC, Vickeidy is a high school Spanish teacher, a modern quilter, and a powerful voice for inclusion and creativity in the quilting world. Her vibrant designs and heartfelt story are sure to inspire you!
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Since this month we’re talking about community and how we can support each other as quilters — especially with our new Discord channel opening! — it’s a great time to remind you that QuiltInk makes it easy to share your contact and social media info with other users.
This helps us connect beyond the platform, follow each other on Instagram or Facebook, and even see how a beautiful mock-up evolves into a finished quilt! It’s also super useful in case you win one of our challenges — it makes it easier for me to contact you. 😉
Here’s how to add your info:
- Go to your Profile page (click the person icon).
- Tap “Edit profile.”
- You’ll find fields for:
- Short bio or description
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Email address (you can choose whether to show it or keep it private)
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Let’s keep building this creative space together. And if you'd like, we can even open a dedicated Discord channel to find and follow each other — helping us grow together, one connection at a time. 💬🧵
And don’t forget — creating a QuiltInk account is totally free! So if you know someone who hasn’t joined yet, invite them to hop in and be part of the fun! |
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And if you’re not following QuiltInk on Instagram yet, here’s our link!
We share inspirational mock-ups for every new pattern on QuiltInk, a weekly #QInk_MockupMonday roundup of mock-ups published on the public Wall, all our latest news, and plenty of fun extras! |
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This month’s challenge is built around the Love Letters collection by Becca Plymale — now available as a ready-to-use palette on QuiltInk! Featuring romantic shades of blush, gold, teal, and cream, these fabrics are all about quiet strength and deep connection.
Before jumping in, let’s give a shout-out to "6boredcats", winner of the May Challenge!
Check out the amazing prize below, grab a pattern, color it using the Love Letters palette, and join the fun! We can’t wait to see what you create. |
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- Come to www.quiltink.com
- Pick a pattern
- Select the Challenge palette (solids tab)
- Share you mock-up into the QuitlInk Wall (free registration required)
- Share on Instagram for 2 extra entries
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Look at this beautiful FQ bundle... it can be yours!!
The winner of the June Challenge will receive an 11-piece Fat Quarter bundle of Love Letters, the dreamy new collection by Becca Plymale for Art Gallery Fabrics. Soft, romantic, and full of charm — it’s the perfect prize to spark your next quilting project!
Grab the pattern, get coloring, and join the challenge — we can't wait to see your creation!
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For this edition of Meet the Fabric Shops, we’re heading to Colorado to meet Megan, the creative force behind Quilt Scouts. Although Megan is already a Designer on QuiltInk, she also curates and sells fabrics and kits—making her journey especially exciting to explore from the fabric shop perspective, too.
What began as a spark of inspiration after leaving her career in chiropractic care has grown into a playful, modern quilting community with a heart. With its badge-earning membership, curated Art Gallery Fabrics, and nostalgic summer-camp feel, Quilt Scouts is doing things differently—and quilters are loving it.
In this interview, Megan shares how she built a shop and community that celebrates curiosity, color, and creativity—and how QuiltInk helps bring her vision to life.
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After exploring the emotional impact of hue—the basic colors we choose—and understanding how value shapes light and shadow, we’re continuing our journey through the foundational ideas that influence how we see and use color in quilts. This month, let’s dive into another key concept: saturation.
What is Saturation?
Saturation describes how pure or muted a color is. A fully saturated color looks bright, vibrant, and bold. A desaturated color is more subtle, soft, or even greyed out. Saturation doesn’t affect how light or dark a color is (that’s value!), but how intense or soft it feels.
To better understand it, here’s how it compares to Hue and Value:
- Hue: This is what we usually think of as "color" — red, blue, yellow, green, etc. It refers to the basic family a color belongs to on the color wheel.
- Value: This is how light or dark a color appears. Adding white creates a lighter value (a tint), and adding black creates a darker value (a shade).
- Saturation: This is how pure or dull a color looks. A highly saturated color is vivid and bold. A desaturated color appears softer, more muted, or greyer.
Together, these three qualities define how we see and feel color. Understanding them gives you more tools to shape your quilt’s mood, contrast, and flow. |
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Image from https://luminusdevices.zendesk.com/ |
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Meaning and Emotion
Saturation brings personality to a quilt. Highly saturated colors tend to feel joyful, energetic, and expressive. Muted colors bring softness, calm, and subtlety. Depending on the story you want your quilt to tell, playing with saturation can help create a vibrant celebration or a gentle whisper.
Combining both can also add depth and sophistication to your palette. Think of a bold red next to a dusty pink or a bright turquoise balanced with a misty seafoam. These contrasts add layers of emotion and make your quilt more engaging.
Focal Points in Saturation-Based Quilts
Using saturation effectively is all about balance. Too many saturated colors competing can feel overwhelming. But when used with intention, they guide the viewer’s eye and create beautiful highlights.
Placing more muted colors in the background and reserving bright, saturated colors for focal areas helps control where attention goes. You can also use saturation contrast instead of value contrast to create visual hierarchy.
Quilting Applications
Saturation works beautifully in all quilting styles, from minimal to maximal. Solids show it most clearly, but even printed fabrics have saturation levels. A print with faded tones will feel more subdued than one with crisp, intense colors—even if their hues are similar.
You can also combine prints and solids to play with saturation. Try pairing a soft floral with a bold solid or mixing washed-out stripes with saturated dots. These combinations create rhythm and add richness to your composition.
Saturation in Action
Below are two QuiltInk mock-ups that demonstrate how different saturations can result in very different effects depending on their saturation. One features bursts with intensity, adding playfulness and energy. The other soft, subtle tones that blend gracefully. Both have their own charm—your intention as a quilter will guide which path you take.
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Try It Yourself
Summer is the perfect season to slow down and let your creativity breathe. Whether you're planning upcoming quilting projects or just dreaming up new ideas, now is a great time to explore color through a fresh lens. Play with vibrant and muted tones, experiment with combinations that feel new, and notice how small shifts in saturation can bring your quilt to life in unexpected ways.
Curious to explore color in your next quilt? Take the time this summer to experiment with saturation and see what speaks to you. |
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Lately, I’ve been reminding myself of something simple but powerful: stay calm while everything spins around you. Life doesn’t always slow down just because we need a break—so I’ve been practicing the art of slowing myself down instead.
Between the usual home chaos, school projects, violin rehearsals (yes, the big competition in Granada is getting closer!), and the ever-growing QuiltInk to-do list—new patterns, new designers, new features—it would be easy to just keep rushing. But I’m learning to pause, breathe, and make space for small things. A walk, a quiet moment in the garden, even a shared giggle with my kids. It’s not perfect, but it helps me not lose the north.So while June feels like a whirlwind, there’s a little OHM OHM energy keeping me anchored.
And as a family, we’re all focused on the journey ahead to Granada this July for Mar's violin competition—it's going to be beautiful and intense, and I can’t wait to share the experience with you. I may or may not manage to send out the next newsletter before we leave, but if not—watch your inbox mid-July for all the news, music, and behind-the-scenes QuiltInk fun! |
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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! |
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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! |
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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 |
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