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Fabric & Materials

Focal Fabric

The dominant, often large-scale print that anchors a quilt's color palette.

The focal fabric is the 'star' fabric of a quilt — typically a large-scale print with multiple colors that sets the palette for everything else. Quilters often choose supporting fabrics by pulling colors directly from the focal fabric, creating automatic coordination. The focal fabric is frequently used in large patches, borders, or as a backing. When you're unsure how to build a palette, start with a focal fabric you love and work outward.

Related Terms

Background FabricThe fabric that forms the negative space behind the primary design in a block or quilt.Blender FabricA low-volume print that reads quietly and supports other more dominant fabrics in a quilt.Color ValueThe relative lightness or darkness of a fabric, independent of its hue.

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NiftyFifty connects quilters from all 50 states through block swaps, bees, and quilt-alongs. Great place to put new techniques to work.

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