The ClubEQ challenge this month is to learn how to add a custom color to the Coloring palette. This is a handy tool if you have a definite color in mind. There is an industry standard through Pantone that offers the RGB recipes for most colors you find commercially. The RGB formula is what computers use to generate colors, and it works differently than what we are used to when combining pigments in paints. Computers work with light.

Each year Pantone announces the “color of the year,” and you will find a wide variety of items created for decorators, fashion designers, artists, and quilters, among many of those who create using color. The color of the year for 2017 is “Greenery.” It’s a very easy color to use, since it mixes with everything and is so very common in nature. “Greenery” has a special RGB recipe to make it standardized among many who are going to use that specific color when designing or referencing with a computer.

How to find the RGB recipe

  1. In your browser, do a search (with Google or your favorite search engine) for “Pantone color of the year 2017.” (or just click here to go directly)
  2. Look for a listing for “Greenery,” which is the name of the target color.
  3. Click to go to the Pantone web site that should open on the page that looks like the illustration.
  4. There is a handy tab that says, “Color Formulas, Guides, & Products.” Click on that phrase to go to the next page.
  5. Here is exactly what we’re looking for, the RGB formula.
    R (stands for red)     136
    G (stands for green)    176
    B (stands for blue)    75
  6. Write these down as a reference for the next step, in EQ7 (or Stitch).
    (In case you might want to know, the TCX here — RGB for TCX – is the formula that would be used for printing on textile cloth.)

Using the RGB recipe in the color palette

  1. In EQ7 (or Stitch), you may access the color palette through the Sketchbook, the quilt worktable or the Color tab on the drawing worktables. You want to view the solid colors tab on the palette display, not the fabrics.
  2. Right click on any color to get the pop-up menu.
  3. Click on Add Colors.
  4. Click on Define Custom Colors and you will be ready to type in the RGB recipe.
  5. Double click on the box next to Red to select it. Type in 136.
  6. Tap the tab key to go to the Green box and type in 176.
  7. Tap the tab key to go to the Blue box and type in 75.
  8. Click on Add to Custom Colors and the color will appear in one of the boxes on the left.
  9. Click OK and the color will appear at the end of the color palette display.
  10. The added color will stay with this project file only. If you want it to be a permanent addition to your palette and usable in other project files, save it as your new default palette by going to FILE > Save Palette as Default…

An Added Bonus:

“Muslin” is a frequently used background fabric. Here is my new favorite solid color to use for muslin:
R    239
G    225
B    167

We hope you enjoyed the Club EQ Lesson!

ClubEQ is a free club any EQ user can join, simply by using EQ to design a quilt. The club leader presents monthly challenges. Those EQ users who join the challenge (and the fun) send in a project file. These projects are displayed together on the Web. Participants receive projects from all the other challenge participants that month. So send in one project file, and receive many more in return! No sewing necessary! Find out more!