*Amber Elliot’s new book,* Quilts in Modern Color: Creating Ombre Palettes.

Not My Usual Blog Post, But…

I don’t normally write book reviews, but when my friend Amber Elliot of Alderwood Studio asked if I’d take a look at her new book, Quilts in Modern Color: Creating Ombré Palettes, I couldn’t say no. Amber has such a fantastic eye for color, and I knew her take on ombré quilting would be something special.

This book is all about making color gradients approachable and giving quilters the confidence to create stunning transitions in their work.

If you've ever been drawn to ombré quilts but weren’t sure how to pull off those seamless color transitions, Quilts in Modern Color: Creating Ombré Palettes is the perfect guide. This book isn’t just about quilt patterns—it’s about understanding color in a way that makes gradients feel approachable, fun, and totally doable.

*Amber guides you through color theory, making it less overwhelming and more fun.*

Ombré Quilting, Made Simple

Amber has a knack for making color theory feel natural instead of intimidating. She walks you through the basic fundamentals before diving into the good stuff: how to build a color palettes.

Her explanation of gradients is especially helpful, breaking down how to create smooth transitions that add depth and movement to a quilt. She also clarifies the difference between ombré and gradient quilts and explores different layout strategies, so quilters can adapt designs to suit their own aesthetic.

There’s an entire section dedicated to selecting fabrics and structuring gradients, which makes a huge difference in getting that perfect flow from one hue to the next. One of my favorite parts is where she uses examples to show what works and what doesn’t, diving into why some color palettes fall short (and what to do to fix them).

*The book is packed with ten full-sized quilts and four smaller projects that are just perfect for showcasing ombre and gradient color palettes.*

Projects That Make Color Shine

The book is packed with ten full-sized quilts and four smaller projects, all designed to showcase ombré palettes in different ways. Some projects, like Gradient Grid and Ombré Stars, lean into clean, structured designs that let the colors take center stage.

Others, like Shimmering Sunset and Starfall, explore more complex compositions, incorporating curves and dynamic layouts.

The mini projects—pillows, wall hangings, and even a tote bag—offer smaller-scale ways to practice ombré techniques before committing to a full quilt.

Playing with Color: My Take on Sunsets

One of my favorite patterns in the book is Sunsets, a design that perfectly captures the beauty of shifting hues. Inspired by Amber’s color theory section, I experimented with three different gradients for this pattern:

Seeing how the same pattern transformed based on color choices was a great reminder of just how much impact gradients can have!

Why This Book Belongs in Your Library

What I love about this book is how it balances inspiration with practicality. The designs are fresh and modern, but the real magic is in how Amber teaches color confidence. She doesn’t just tell you what works—she gives you the perfect projects to experiment, play, and refine your own sense of color.

If you’ve ever struggled with picking fabrics that flow well together or if you’ve been wanting to explore ombré quilting, this book gives you all the tools to dive in with confidence!

You can grab your copy of Quilts in Modern Color: Creating Ombré Palettes directly from Amber on her website via the button below:

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