Cats, Halloween, and absolutely no self-control. I am loving these Halloween Quilting Fabrics currently (and always).
I’ll be honest, there are two kinds of fabrics I just cannot resist: cats and Halloween… And bonus points if the fabric manages to have both. Which is why I am loving the Halloween Quilting Fabrics that are currently on my wall right now.
If it purrs, meows, has ghosts, witches, or anything remotely spooky, chances are… I want it. And I do not apologize for it.
I have yet to find a cat or Halloween fabric that I don’t like (or that I don’t have… oops).
This week's “What’s on the Wall” is a little bit spooky. I’m showing off a few of my favorite Halloween Quilting Fabrics to inspire your spooky, quilty designs this season (or any time of year, really).
Cats and Halloween: you put them together, and I really don’t stand a chance. But beyond being ridiculously cute (or wonderfully spooky), these fabrics each have something different to offer when it comes to making a quilt. So, it’s okay to have them all, right?
The Cuteness Factor — Sometimes You Just Have to Have It
Sometimes fabric selection starts with a practical purpose. Other times, it starts because you absolutely love a print. These Halloween quilting fabrics are firmly in the second category.
Honestly, I just had to have these. I mean, look at them… they’re just so cute.
The cuteness factor is very important when choosing fabrics (this is my incredibly expert opinion that I just made up). But it’s the reality of it. Sometimes we choose fabrics because of a specific project that we’re working on. Other times, we walk into the store, are drawn in by the cuteness, and walk out saying we’ll find something to do with them.
Meet Frank, the Witch, the Ghosties on orange, pink, and grey, and the Ghosts on the darker grey.
The cute spools and spiderwebs on the blue, orange, and white are just adorable and are a nice representation of Halloween sewing.
These ones may be Halloween-themed, but they’re more on the adorable side than the scary side of spooky season.
What are these Halloween Quilting Fabrics good for?
Kids' quilts and Halloween lovers!
The colors are fun and enticing, and the cartoon characters really are exciting for kids. You could make a fun Halloween quilt for a special little one's boo box. I have a special little one that I’m making all kinds of quilts for right now! #GrammyLife
Of course, not every fabric in a quilt can demand all the attention. Some of them need to play nicely with the others.
The Supporting Cast — Spiderwebs, Spools, and Subtle Halloween Quilting Fabrics
Getting into Halloween sewing, the spools and spiderwebs are absolutely perfect! And they’re a great match to the fabrics above.
They’re playful and perfect for the season.
These more subtle fabrics with tiny ghosts and spiderwebs are the perfect match for the Frank, witches and ghosts above. These ones would make fabulous borders and backgrounds with other brighter (or darker) colors and designs. They’re not too busy, but still very seasonal.
They could almost read as a solid (or in some cases absolutely do).
A fabric doesn't have to be the star of the show to be valuable. These more subtle, muted tones work so well with bolder fabrics for an overall standout product. Some of the most useful fabrics are the ones that help everything else work together.
Even Halloween quilts need a little breathing room. We can't have every fabric screaming BOO! at the same time (even though I think that would be so COOL!).
Those Batiks! — A Little More Spooky, a Lot More Gorgeous
Wowza! While it’s fun to have the cutesy, adorable Halloween fabrics, I cannot help but be obsessed with these incredible Batiks.
While it’s fun to make the kids' quilts with the cute fabrics, this is still spooky season, and sometimes we just need a little bit of scary. These fabrics are a little moodier and bring more of a traditional spooky Halloween vibe.
Remember what I said at the beginning of the blog? How I love cats, and I love Halloween, and together, bonus! Can you tell why I’m obsessed with these fabrics and why they’re definitely on my wall currently?
Are you thinking that these fabrics somehow work so well together? The purples, oranges, and greys somehow just match? That’s because they do. They’re all from the same line, so they’re very appealing as a collection. They’re tailored to work together to make the perfect spooky quilt.
The coordinated colors make it easier to combine the fabrics. They’re made to match. The shared palette really creates a consistent and cohesive look. It makes sense to buy them as a set (which is absolutely what I told myself when I bought them). As a fat quarter bundle, I think they're fantastic.
And the orange and purple cats really make the fabrics the perfect fabrics for me! Honestly, they could have just led with those and saved me the trouble of pretending I was considering other options. My cats also love them.
Why I Chose These Halloween Quilting Fabrics — It's Not Just About the Prints
There are three main things I look for when I select my prints.
1. Personality
Does the fabric catch my attention? Does the fabric make me smile? Is it cute, spooky, fun, or covered in cats? Halloween quilting fabrics or anything with cats always does it for me.
There's nothing wrong with choosing a fabric simply because you love it. If you love it, that means you’ll likely be more motivated to use it for something… That, or you’ll have it sit there while you ogle it for months (or years. Don’t judge).
2. Balance
Not every fabric needs to be busy. It’s not always about the boldest pattern that stands out. A quilt is made up of a variety of fabrics, and it’s important that there is some balance involved.
The quieter spiderwebs and outline prints can provide contrast to the more attention-grabbing designs. It’s about finding a good variety of fabrics that each perform a certain job.
3. Colors that work together
The batiks are a great example of how a consistent color palette can make combining fabrics easier. To pull the whole quilt together, it’s important that you have fabrics that look consistent and work well as a team.
The last thing you want is for your quilt to feel completely chaotic or be an eyesore. Sure, Halloween is a little easier to pull off the “unhinged” look, but still…
Choosing fabrics isn't always about following a strict formula. It's about finding prints you love and understanding how they might work together. Get the vision in your mind and watch it come to life with your fabric selection.
Important distinction: I have shared fabrics I’m drawn to, not a confirmed quilt layout. These Halloween quilting fabrics were what appealed to me, not necessarily what you should be working with this season. If these aren’t your style, don’t worry about it.
Figure out what’s important to you, what you love, and let your imagination do the rest.
Will I Ever Have Enough Halloween Quilting Fabrics?
Sometimes the fun of quilting begins long before you sew the first seam. It starts when a fabric catches your eye, and you begin imagining what it could become.
The best part about this season is the array of cute Halloween quilting fabrics that are kind of irresistible. The cuteness factor is important here.
You can find bold patterns that stand out and make your quilt eye-popping. You can find more subtle backgrounds and borders that are just as useful to pull the entire piece together. And there are a lot of great coordinated fabrics that make your planning so much easier.
And trust me… there are plenty of incredible Halloween fabrics. You might actually find too many… Guilty!
What kind of fabric can you absolutely never resist? Cats? Halloween? Florals? Or do you have a fabric weakness you'd rather not admit to?
Ready to bring your favorite fabrics to a place where they’ll be ogled? Where you might just get a bit of fabric envy from all of the incredible fabrics surrounding you?
Grab a last-minute spot for our upcoming retreat! And bring your favorite fabrics!
