Heather Thomas

Quilt Artists Guide to Color

with Heather Thomas

Why study color theory? Well, the easy answer is so that you will have more information to guide you when you are creating things. A more complete answer is also a more complex one.

My bet is that you don’t realize that color is energy and therefore the best way for you to control that energy is to learn to harness it. To harness it you must first understand the kind of power it holds.

Each color has a different energy and just like people, colors behave differently in combination with other colors. We can call that the interaction of color a system. It is a system based on theories made and asserted hundreds of years ago. Though those theories still stand to this day, we add new and intriguing information to the system all the time. We now know more about how light is seen by the human eye, how color affects the human psyche and that the colors we see with our eyes are our brains way of making sense of the light waves moving through the atmosphere.

Back to that easy answer, “to guide you when you are making things”; learning to harness the energy of color, understanding the interaction of colors and becoming acquainted with as many varieties of color as possible will make it easier and more enjoyable for you to make more beautiful, interesting and successful art, quilts, jewelry, whatever your heart desires.

So, come along with me, art quilter and instructor, Heather Thomas and let me introduce you to a system that just might rock your world as you learn new meanings for the words scale, value, harmony, texture and so much more.

  • 7 Sessions
  • 1h 55m
Heather Thomas

Heather Thomas

Heather is a mixed media fiber artist with a passion for color and a dedication to teaching. After a decade of making original yet traditional work, she began venturing out toward art quilting, embellishments, and mixed media work. With more than 12 years of studying and teaching color and design under her belt, she wrote her second book, A Fiber Artists’ Guide to Color & Design, which came on the heels of her very popular first book, Fabric Embellishing: The Basics & Beyond. In 2011 Heather was a guest writer for Quilting Arts magazine with a multi-part feature on Free Style Machine Quilting. She also participates in group and individual instructional DVDs produced by the Creative Crafts Group. You can visit Heather’s blog at heatherthomasblog.blogspot.com.

Class Resource PDF

Download this PDF as a guide to creating your own set of color scales.

Class Resource PDF

See Heather's painted and fabric color wheel examples.

Class Resource PDF

Download this PDF for a visual guide of Pure Hues, Tints, Tones & Shades.

Meet the Instructor Video

Heather shares how learning about color has changed her life and how it can change yours too!

Class Supply List

Download this PDF for a detailed class supply list.

Blank Color Wheel

Download and print this PDF for a blank color wheel allowing you to create your own version

Bonus materials available after purchase

How do I know what the Class covers?

Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.

Do I have to be a Member of National Quilters Circle to purchase a Class?

No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on NQC content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great quilting videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.

How do I purchase a Class?

First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.

How do I access/view my Class?

Once you’ve paid, you can access/view your Class by going to the MY ACCOUNT section of National Quilters Circle. The MY ACCOUNT link is in the upper right-hand area of the website. Within your MY ACCOUNT, a section labeled “My Classes” will appear, including a link to watch the video of your Class. You’ll also receive an email confirmation after your purchase, which will include a link to view your Class. You can access your Class as many times as you wish, and you’ll never lose access to your Account information. Just be sure to “Log In” for access to MY ACCOUNT.

Do I have to take the Class right away?

No. Any Class you buy will be accessible to you always. You can view your Class whenever you want, and you can view individual Sessions in whatever order you like.

Is there a limit on the times I can view my Class?

No. Your access never expires. You can view any Class you purchase as many times as you want, whenever you want.

Can I view a Class on my tablet device or mobile phone?

No problem. Most newer-model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the Class videos. Simply Log In on National Quilters Circle, and you can view any Class you’ve bought through the MY ACCOUNT section. Or, you can click on the “View Class” link within the email confirmation you’ll receive upon your purchase.

How do I get access to the Bonus Materials for the Class?

Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.

Can I print out Class details?

For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.

What are PDF downloads?

These are simply documents, plans, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.

Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?

Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.

Why do you need my email?

We need it to acknowledge your purchase of a Class, and send you a confirmation of your transaction. Also, in order to maintain your permanent access to the Class videos, you’ll need to Login to www.nationalquilterscircle.com. We guarantee that we will not share your email with any third parties. You may receive email updates from NQC from time to time, with details of new Classes and updates. You can easily unsubscribe when you receive any email.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like the Class?

Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.

How do I contact National Quilters Circle?

If your question is about the Class content, please use the Class Discussion benefit to ask your question online – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at nationalquilterscircle@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-855-253-0822. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.

More to Explore

Quilt Artists Guide to ColorPurchase this class for $34.99.