Taking the Color Mystery out of Mystery Quilts (Neutral Color Theory)

This is a Mystery Quilt that I recently finished. 

It is made from a gorgeous pattern with a  unique color palette. 

In this post I will explain how to choose a color palette with this neutral color concept. 

Neutral concept, you may be asking?   But...it's so bright.  It does look bright, but the color palette actually consists of many shades of neutrals with one big pop of color. 

A Mystery Quilt pattern will normally ask for a light, a medium, and a dark color along with a print.  In these situations, where the pattern is a mystery, stick to as many neutrals as possible.  This quilt was a complex pattern that required many fabrics, but the principle will still be the same when fewer fabrics are required.  


In the case of this quilt:

Lights:
1.  Light Gray with a minimal floral print.  It reads as a solid color. 
2.  Cream Heart Print.  You can see the print, but at a distance it reads fairly solid. 

Mediums:
1.  Taupe Floral Print.  Again reads quite solid. 
2.  Taupe Heart Print.  You can see the print, but at a distance it reads as a solid color. 

Dark:
1.  Black Print.  You can see the print, but at a distance it reads as a solid color. 

Prints:
1.  Yellow, Black, Gray and White.  Bold Print.
2.  Yellow Batik.  Huge punch of color. 

Backing:
Yellow Solid enabling the quilting lines to show up. 

Here is a photo of the Neutral / Yellow Palette

as in the above quilt. 

In the next 3 examples, I have simply switched out the "Pop of Color".  All of the neutral colors are the same. 

Neutral / Red Palette

Neutral / Blue Palette

Neutral / Green Palette

Proceed with confidence to your next Mystery Quilt :)

Quilt Design:  Catherine Laycraft

Custom Quilting:  Lorraine Appleby