The Meaning of Colour: How to Craft with Feeling

Colour holds power. It can impact our mood, emotions and behaviour. And while an individual’s response to colour can stem from personal experience, in the world of crafting, understanding colour theory (or the meaning of colour) can be a valuable tool in creating something that really resonates and leaves a lasting impact.

There’s a lot to it though – a science if you will – but once you uncover the true meaning behind some of your favourite shades, you can start taking your #LibertyCraftClub creations to new, emotive heights. Here’s how to elicit feeling in your crafts with the right colour from our latest collection: A Liberty Kaleidoscope.

In this new collection from Liberty Fabrics, A Liberty Kaleidoscope takes us into the heart of every hue, split into four compelling stories that explore the multi-hued spectrum as well as the three primary colours: Red, Blue and Yellow. So, what does it all mean?

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The foundation of colour theory or psychology lies in the science behind how different colour affects our emotions. We don’t just see colours, we feel them – which makes colour one of the most powerful tools in a crafter’s toolkit. Each shade has its own unique traits that can incite a range of feelings, and, by delving deeper into the influence of each colour, we can help to harness a reaction to our craft projects.

Say you’re making a quilt, and are looking to add some decorative stitching, having a good knowledge of colour can help to inspire a harmonious scheme for your final piece that feels balanced. It all starts with understanding the distinction between warm and cool colours. Warm tones such as red, orange and yellow are known to convey emotions like: energy, passion and happiness. Often associated with warmth, fire and the sun, these colours grab attention, and create a sense of excitement. On the other hand, cool colours such as blue, green and purple are thought of as calm, tranquil and relaxing – having a soothing effect on the mind and body.

Spend some time getting to know the colour wheel and curate a colour palette using colour theory that feels exactly how you think your project should feel…

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“Red protects itself. No colour is as territorial. It stakes a claim, is on the alert against the spectrum.” – Derek Jarman

The Red story in A Liberty Kaleidoscope draws from the colour’s millennia-spanning history – a feature of prehistoric paintings, and one of humanity’s first symbols of love, life and vitality. Classic Liberty roses are reimagined, appearing alongside other beauties of the natural world such as scarlet macaws, coral and anemones. Floral motifs glow like the posies clutched by Pre-Raphaelite muses. Rich pigments reflect the beauty of natural dyes like madder, used in the Indian chintzes of Liberty’s early heritage.

Read More: A Lesson in Colour Drenching Your Home

“First there is nothing, then a depth of nothingness, then a profundity of blue.” – Yves Klein quoting Gaston Bachelard, 1959

Blue, otherwise known as the world’s favourite colour, is among the most enigmatic of colours, compelling us with flat stillness and endless depth. This story discovers it as a jewel-like droplet wherever it appears: delicate hydrangea blossoms, sparkling semi-precious stones. An endless muse to artists, blue’s presence in the world of craft is also felt in designs drawn from classic chinaware and early Arts and Crafts dyeing techniques. Palettes take inspiration from the brilliance of Egyptian blue, and from the dreamy, washed-out vistas found above the clouds.

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“Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.” – Pablo Picasso

Our Yellow story examines the joyful spirit of this complex and multi-faceted colour. Popularly associated with positivity, happiness and devotion, its infectious attitude appears across a variety of Liberty motifs – from pretty primulas and primroses to lemons, bees and buttercups. While some designs in the collection take their influence from art movements such as Expressionism and Symbolism, others reflect the simple pleasures of life such as a child’s birthday party. Some old favourites from the archive, such as a classic Liberty sunflower, bloom anew in A Liberty Kaleidoscope.

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