The Colour Chaos Behind Our 2026 Mystery Quilt
- Alaura
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
How Do You Pick Colours for a Quilt? (+ Theme Reveal Vlog)
No matter how many quilts we design…No matter how many times we’ve chosen fabric palettes…
We still struggle.
You would think after years of designing Mystery Quilts and Quilt-as-you-go projects that choosing colours would feel simple.
But somehow, every single time, it becomes the hardest part.
Which leads to the big question:
How do you pick colours for a quilt?
Is there a perfect formula? Is there a “right” way to do it?
We usually work with five main colours, carefully balancing light, medium and dark tones to create contrast and depth.
That structure normally guides us beautifully.
But this year was different.
Our 2026 Mystery Quilt is inspired by European tile patterns — layered, architectural, intricate. The design came together quickly…
The colour scheme did not.
Mum and I see colour very differently. We’re drawn to different moods and different energies. What feels rich and dramatic to one of us can feel too heavy to the other.
What feels fresh and airy to one can feel too soft to the other.
And that’s exactly what you’ll see in this week’s vlog.
Click to watch
What Is a Vlog?
If you’re new to the term, a vlog simply means “video blog.”
Instead of writing about our experience, we film it — so you can come along with us in real time. You’ll see us at our local fabric store pulling bolts off the shelves, laying them out, putting them back, rearranging them again… and yes, it gets a little chaotic.
It’s the real behind-the-scenes process of designing a Mystery Quilt.
How Do You Pick Colours for a Quilt?
When it comes to quilt colour selection, there isn’t one perfect formula — but there are principles that help:
Choose a mix of light, medium and dark tones
Consider contrast so your design doesn’t flatten
Think about the overall mood (soft, dramatic, earthy, modern?)
Limit your main palette so it feels cohesive
We normally follow a five-colour structure. But this time? Even with our system in place, we couldn’t immediately agree.
And in the end…
We didn’t choose just one palette.
We ended up with two completely different colour schemes.
One rich and bold.One cool and refined.
So now we have to ask…
Are you Team Red or Team Blue?
Watch the vlog below to see the full fabric shopping journey, the theme reveal, and how we finally landed on two competing colour directions.
Then let us know in the comments —🌹 Team Red💙 or Team Blue?
We can’t wait to see which one you love most.
And one last thing…
The fabric requirements list is coming out very soon.
We know many of you are waiting for it, and we are so sorry for the slight delay. We truly didn’t expect our colour choices to be this difficult this year!
But we always want everything to feel absolutely right before we send you off to spend your hard-earned money on fabrics.
It will be released in the next few days — and enrolments for our 2026 Mystery Quilt-as-you-go course will be opening very soon after.
Lots of love xx Alaura and Monica
Blues are always my favorite so would pick Team Blue, but that red looks great too!
I like both but will likely pull from my stash. I am a quilter since 1988 and was a decorative painter so I like to choose colors. I have done several mystery quilts over the years but never one online. will instructions be here or on You Tube? is this pieced? Appliqué? I need more info, Thanks
I liked the Mediterranean colours picked. I like the blue buts it’s been done and I love the red background but not the flat colours inside. Having said that I’m going to be finishing my two quilts from TTB this year. My poor sister is still waiting for hers. 😀
I am team Blue👍
I like both and some of the others you were toying with. But when I get around to this quilt it will probably come from my stash. Will be working on my TTB this year and then getting back to IH and I,V! But I will enjoy watching everyone’s journey on FB!