Hey Everyone, welcome back to Colourful Friday.

Over the past few weeks I have discussed the different colour schemes that are found on the colour wheel or star.  There have been several and all the different schemes will create stunning quilts. This week I am going to talk about a colour scheme that isn’t really colour and are not found on the colour wheel.

Black, white and grey – they are not really colours but when used together can create dramatic quilts. When they are added into other colour schemes they can create great contrast within the quilt and add just that little extra something that was missing.

As well, these three non-colours are used to create tones, shades and tints – but that discussion is for another day.

I myself have not made a lot of black, white or grey quilts even though I do like the effect that these non-colours create. My Animal Party and Ocean Party quilts use black in the sashing to create effect and highlight the blocks.  Even though the black is not solid black and has coloured dots throughout it there is still the dramatic effect of black between the blocks.

Animal Party

Ocean Party

White can add just as much extra punch as black depending on where and how it is used. The stark contrast of white with bright colours can be very dramatic.

White and purple, the white certainly pops.

The red & yellow certainly pop out against the white.

A couple of years ago I created my Woven Stars pattern and when it came time to make a second one I decided to do something a bit different and use black and grey. I wanted to add a little punch to it so I added one bright colour. This scheme of achromatic with a colour is called achromatic plus.

Possibly I was using this Lava Gull as my inspiration for the quilt.  He is certainly a perfect achromatic plus colour scheme – once again mother nature is bang on.

Woven Stars

Maybe a bit more use of these non-colours might be in order for this year to give my quilts a bit more punch. How about it are you going to give them a try?

Happy Quilting!