Step 4: How to Add Fabric to Your Project
You made it! 🎉 Let’s have some fun!
You’ve chosen your pattern, selected your template, activated your block groups, and clicked Edit which brings you into the Block Editor.
In this step, we’ll walk through how to add fabric to your project and how the Block Editor layout works.
If you’d like a quick rundown of steps to take to add fabric, here it is:
- Click a space in your block to activate its color group
- Under All Fabrics, use filters or search to find a fabric you like
- Click a fabric swatch and watch it load instantly into your project
- Repeat until every space in the block is filled with fabric
- Click Save & Close to exit the Block Editor and go back to the main Quilt Planner Page.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, continue with the instructions below.
Quick Note Before Getting Started
This post is part of the My First Quiltster Project beginner series. Follow along step-by-step and you’ll go from pattern selection to a finished, shareable quilt plan.
- Choose a Pattern
- Choose a Template
- Identify & Activate Blocks
- Add Fabric ← This Step
- Save Project
- Share Your Project to the Gallery
- Share Your Project on Social Media
The Block Editor Layout (Quick Tour)
When the Block Editor opens, the screen is split into two main areas:
Left side: Your quilt block preview
- This shows the currently selected block group
- This is where you’ll see your fabric changes appear in real time
On a smartphone the screen is split from top to bottom, with your project on top.
Right side: Fabric tools and fabric library
- This is where you choose, filter, and manage fabrics
- You’ll select swatches here to apply to the active parts of your block
1. Activate a Section of the Block (Color Groups)
Click a section of the block to activate it.
Each block is divided into sections (color groups) which shows in the striped overlay upon activation. This is where the fabric will go when you start adding it.
What Is a Color Group?
A color group is a set of one or more shapes in a block that are permanently linked together and will always use the same fabric.
When you click a section of the block:
- One or more spaces may activate at the same time
- The activated areas show a striped overlay
- All highlighted areas together = one color group
Color groups are:
- Defined by the pattern designer
- Stationary (they cannot be split apart)
- Used to ensure accurate yardage calculations
- Designed so those pieces are always cut from the same fabric
This means when you apply fabric to that group, all linked pieces update together automatically.
Understanding Fabric Panel
On the right side, you’ll see a few helpful fabric groupings.
Fabrics in Block
This section shows the fabrics used in the currently open block. The active color group is highlighted in pink so you can easily see which space you’re working on. The fabric IDs shown here match the fabric IDs in your pattern instructions. This panel updates each time you switch to a different block.
Pro Tip: Click the ID in Fabrics in Block to activate its color group without using the block preview. It’s a fast way to jump between sections and especially helpful for identifying small pieces in your quilt.
Fabrics in Quilt
This is a running list of every fabric used in your project so far. It updates automatically as you add fabrics, making it easy to reuse the same fabrics across blocks and keep your quilt consistent. This panel stays in place and continues to update as you edit each block.
All Fabric
This is your full fabric library including your uploaded fabrics and available Marketplace fabrics. If you plan to purchase your fabrics through Quiltster.com, be sure the “Products I Can Buy” toggle is turned ON so you only see fabrics available to shop. You can also click Filters to narrow your results.
Just note: if you use Clear All Filters, you’ll need to turn the Products I Can Buy toggle back on afterward.
A full tutorial on the Fabric Filters can be found on the blog.
2. Apply Fabric to the Block
Now for the fun part!
- Click a block section to activate it (striped overlay appears)
- Click a fabric swatch on the right
- Watch it load instantly into your block preview
Repeat these steps until fabric has been assigned to every space.
A few tips:
- Don’t miss any spaces! Double-check the Fabrics in Block section to confirm every color group has fabric assigned. This is especially helpful when working with tiny pieces like flying geese or narrow border strips.
- Want to try a different fabric? Just click another swatch and it will replace the previous one.
- Experiment as much as you like! You can change fabrics anytime.
3. Move to the Next Block Group
When you’re happy with your fabric choices for this block group:
- Click Close & Save
This returns you to the main Quilt Planner page, where you can preview your fabric selections and see how they look in the quilt as a whole.
- Reselect the same block group to make changes, or choose a different block group to customize next
- Click Edit to reopen the Block Editor and repeat the process
Work your way through each block group until your quilt is fully colored.
Pro Tip: Create a duplicate of your project at any stage to save your current version and try a few variations to compare side-by-side.
You’re Doing Great!
Adding fabric is where your quilt plan turns from an idea into a visual reality. Don’t worry about getting it perfect on the first try. Quiltster is built for experimenting, swapping, and playing with color.
Next up in the series: saving, reviewing, and sharing your finished project.
What’s Next?
You’ve activated your project and now it’s time to start adding fabric in the Block Editor.
Continue with the next step in the My First Quiltster Project series:
- Choose a Pattern
- Choose a Template
- Identify & Activate Blocks
- Add Fabric
- Save Project ← Next Step
- Share Your Project to the Gallery
- Share Your Project on Social Media