# 07 | Use printed fabric

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">**TIP:**</mark> We usually like to first use the solid fabric libraries to find color combinations for a quilt. Then, if we'd like to use printed fabric instead of solids, we replace the solid fabric with a printed fabric swatch in a similar color.
{% endhint %}

## <mark style="color:blue;">Exercise 07</mark>

**07** | *Upload 2+ digital fabric swatches and use one as a Fabric Link.*

***Objective*** | To import [*<mark style="color:blue;">digital fabric swatches</mark>*](https://app.gitbook.com/s/6bPmBgJH7XZ5gcieNGS3/pq-glossary/fs#fabric-swatch-also-printed-fabric-swatch) and use them in our quilt blocks.&#x20;

***Did You Know*** | Using digital fabric swatches gives you a very realistic preview of what your quilt will look like using printed fabric.&#x20;

***

### <mark style="color:blue;">01 | Find & Save Digital Fabric Swatches</mark>

The first step is to find good quality [*<mark style="color:blue;">digital fabric swatches</mark>*](https://app.gitbook.com/s/6bPmBgJH7XZ5gcieNGS3/pq-glossary/fs#fabric-swatch-also-printed-fabric-swatch) for your printed fabrics. We recommend  visiting the fabric manufacturer's website - there are often downloadable swatches organized by fabric collection (a). But you can also download any image of your desired fabric to use as a digital fabric swatch (b).

#### <mark style="color:blue;">a | Download a Collection of Fabric Swatches</mark>

In this example, we're going to download some Ruby Star fabrics from Moda Fabrics. The steps are similar for all downloads, so adapt these steps to your situation.

1. Go to the <mark style="color:blue;">**URL**</mark> for the digital fabric swatch. In this example, I visited <https://modafabrics.com/downloads> and filtered fabric collections by Sarah Watts.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FsSGp5izaVpjBOwY8WHuK%2F01-a-01%20moda.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f9e0d4b1-88cb-4b18-92db-e94c6b034e32" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Moda's fabric download page</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
2. <mark style="color:blue;">**Download**</mark> JPG images onto your computer (<mark style="color:blue;">**click**</mark> icon in the JPG Images column). In this example, I downloaded the Firefly collection.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FAx40MVjcNZjmZAPyKNsB%2F01-1-02%20download.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0e47e6ab-2c96-42ab-9de1-9fc63e02ca1d" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Each fabric manufacturer's website looks different</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
3. <mark style="color:blue;">**Move**</mark> and <mark style="color:blue;">**organize**</mark> the downloaded files on your computer.
   * **Tip:** If you're well organized, you can easily find and import your newly acquired digital fabric swatches.

#### <mark style="color:blue;">b | Download Individual Fabric Images</mark>

Sometimes it's not possible to find fabric swatches on the manufacturer's website (this is especially true for older fabrics). The next best thing it so find an image of the fabric online.&#x20;

1. <mark style="color:blue;">**Google**</mark> the name of your desired fabric. It's helpful to search with as detailed of information as possible to find the correct fabric image. In this example, I searched for "*Robert Kaufman Painterly Petals purple*".

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FK1yUzs4MzTFM5cVzV1r7%2Fb-1%20search.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f4b82eba-a627-4212-812d-c4097871b171" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Google search results</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
2. <mark style="color:blue;">**Click**</mark> on the desired fabric image to go to the website. In this example, I need to also click on <mark style="color:blue;">**Visit**</mark> to get to the online shop.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2F5h0K3rU5OVP4sdWLOMQy%2Fb-2%20website.png?alt=media&#x26;token=30cdde90-bc92-40c9-8303-e270397922e0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. <mark style="color:blue;">**Right click**</mark> on the desired fabric's image and select <mark style="color:blue;">**Open Image in New Tab**</mark>.

   * **Note:** This will open only the fabric image in its own tab.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2F6umJxFs5knHm4r6inbBo%2Fb-3%20open%20tab.png?alt=media&#x26;token=af7aede2-7866-4b4d-acd6-c72f240df858" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Select Open Image in New Tab to isolate just the image</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
4. <mark style="color:blue;">**Right click**</mark> on the image and select <mark style="color:blue;">**Save Image As**</mark>.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FIy29Y6EEvgpce2HYTOtS%2Fb-5%20save%20as.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ffc7cb9e-eebe-4dd1-83fe-c05ea9a7db40" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. Your computer's file system will pop-up. <mark style="color:blue;">**Save**</mark> the image on your computer (where you'll be able to find it).

***

### <mark style="color:blue;">02 | Import Digital Fabric Swatches to PreQuilt</mark>

Now that you have the images saved on your computer, you can import and save them in PreQuilt.

1. Go to the main Dashboard by clicking on your <mark style="color:blue;">**Avatar**</mark> and selecting <mark style="color:blue;">**Dashboard**</mark>.

   * <mark style="color:red;">**Alert:**</mark> Don't forget to [*<mark style="color:blue;">Save</mark>*](https://courses.prequilt.com/quiltcon-courses/deep-dive-into-prequilt/02-or-create-a-block#06-or-save-quilt) your quilt if you're working on one before exiting to the Dashboard.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2Fzj9vwiHKTZJyvaOPS8Bo%2F01%20dashboard.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0ab2d16a-93b4-480c-96c6-29032a876d07" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. On the main Dashboard, click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**FABRIC**</mark> tab.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FQDMjufCYhr02kRpPFtVU%2F02%20fabric%20tab.png?alt=media&#x26;token=dd4cc543-2605-4f69-aa08-e8b96ea1241b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. Click on <mark style="color:blue;">**Bulk Upload**</mark> on the first tile.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FPG96sPa1FAauy2ie3KHQ%2F03%20bulk%20upload.png?alt=media&#x26;token=10ad7fbf-7e13-4ded-8a68-a994fbdaa537" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Your computer's file system will pop-up. <mark style="color:blue;">**Select the image(s)**</mark> you want to use and click on <mark style="color:blue;">**Open**</mark>.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FzFWTdJffAy5pESanaZk4%2F04%20select.png?alt=media&#x26;token=91bdbe8b-b345-49ad-9b1c-90046e5736f6" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>The filing system of different computer systems and browsers look different. This is a Mac using Chrome.</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
5. Your selected fabric swatches are now loaded into PreQuilt.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FtbWLNodHUaqIi1LwnW7F%2F05%20swatches.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e3a9d18b-bf34-4039-99c8-1afd28e2c912" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

***

### <mark style="color:blue;">03 | Editing Fabric Swatches</mark>

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you have not yet set the dimensions for your digital fabric swatch, it will be highlighted in yellow.
{% endhint %}

Fabric swatches are imported using the image's naming convention. You can organize your fabric swatches in PreQuilt, should you wish.

#### <mark style="color:blue;">a | Setting Width of Fabric</mark>

1. From the Fabric Dashboard, click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**Edit**</mark> button for the digital fabric swatch that you want to set the width for.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FNeL7ZhU4L7KDBdhuPNkQ%2F01%20tile%20edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c34c503f-54e7-4d61-bfe4-196c4f61d52b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. <mark style="color:blue;">**Enter**</mark> the width (in inches) of the digital fabric swatch in the top right box. In this example, we were lucky enough to have a ruler along the bottom edge of the swatch. I’ll use that dimension here.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2Fjwo45uYHCQZhrHnRmPgM%2F02%20yellow%20width%20box.png?alt=media&#x26;token=93df3255-20e0-4296-ac93-925769777c3b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**Save**</mark> button.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FEU6YQxC7CKRerLLYPGW0%2F03%20width%20entered.png?alt=media&#x26;token=645e96f6-16dd-4aa4-9891-bbd74a180ef7" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>The yellow box will turn to white once dimensions have been set.</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>

#### <mark style="color:blue;">b| Cropping Fabric Swatch Images</mark>

Sometimes fabric swatch images include a border or ruler that will be propagated in PreQuilt in your quilt design. To ensure it doesn't show up in your quilt, we can crop it out of the fabric swatch image.

Once the width of the digital fabric swatch is set, four separate **DRAG** buttons will appear on each side of the digital fabric swatch. These can be used to crop the digital fabric swatch.

1. <mark style="color:blue;">**Click and hold**</mark> onto the <mark style="color:blue;">**Drag**</mark> button on the bottom of the digital fabric swatch.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2Fs5BspQMgIZ21wY6FpTgm%2F01%20drag%20buttons.png?alt=media&#x26;token=83726f48-5714-49c1-a675-93d225fb5b5a" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Drag buttons will appear on all 4 sides</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
2. <mark style="color:blue;">**Move**</mark> the blue line from the bottom of the digital fabric swatch up until it is above the ruler. You’ll notice that the ruler will become more translucent and almost hidden.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2Ft3P53DH8VJ1papsyQ22u%2F02%20cropped.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e0e80d90-ad13-4d73-a1ae-b2f7ed0322db" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Cropped out parts of the image will become translucent</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>
3. Make sure to click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**Save**</mark> button to retain these changes.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FoHZmaUU9Y22xA0RF94N6%2F03%20save.png?alt=media&#x26;token=aa62ad48-9af5-4048-8a85-502b7a591e37" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Don't forget to Save any changes you make before exiting.</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>

***

### <mark style="color:blue;">04 | Use Fabric Swatches in Color Tags</mark>

Now that you've imported and edited your digital fabric swatches, let's [*<mark style="color:blue;">link</mark>*](https://glossary.prequilt.com/pq-glossary/ls#link-ing) the digital fabric swatches to Fabric Links.

1. Go to the main Dashboard by clicking on your <mark style="color:blue;">**Avatar**</mark> and selecting <mark style="color:blue;">**Dashboard**</mark>.&#x20;

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FMsB6vndL4XGLf9wJrVXm%2F01%20dashboard.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b3bc4fb4-f5af-49f2-9670-61434f768b4e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

2. By default, the <mark style="color:blue;">**QUILTS**</mark> tab will be selected and open.

3. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**Open Quilt**</mark> button for the quilt we've been working on.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FJRwCqJgUptf3BJY1aR5P%2F03%20open%20quilt.png?alt=media&#x26;token=902eba95-a6d8-42b9-8368-18141875892f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

4. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**FABRIC LINKS**</mark> tab on the [*<mark style="color:blue;">left side control panel</mark>*](https://app.gitbook.com/s/6bPmBgJH7XZ5gcieNGS3/pq-glossary/cs#left-side-control-panel).

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FnzmhDUCUK3cyp2qcx3NS%2F01%20Fabric%20Link%20tab.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e4456601-ac90-4385-9d5e-f1158155b27a" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Collapsed Fabric Links tab</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FLpSVXwYXEgs2ZhWKrKSJ%2FScreen%20Shot%202023-11-10%20at%2012.44.18%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3471389b-8a67-428c-b038-0d24bdf076ca" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Expanded Fabric Links tab</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>

5. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**Edit**</mark> button next to the Fabric Link you'd like to change. I'm going to start with Fabric Link D.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2F9sf35wg17vGRZoGiOMM0%2F05%20edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cf9315d0-f68e-4179-a133-6e693dd67ee2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

6. The [*<mark style="color:blue;">fabric library panel</mark>* ](https://glossary.prequilt.com/pq-glossary/fs#fabric-library-panel)will slide out. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**PRINTS**</mark> tab.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FE5loPTOOj84lblcv9yPm%2F06%20prints%20tab.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f3015aff-8dd0-43bd-91e4-4367d5dbd4b4" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Fabric library panel will slide out for editing</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>

7. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**Select**</mark> button under the printed fabric swatch you'd like to use for Fabric Link D.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2F5jxaTIzfAIcAcn7uWjZQ%2FScreen%20Shot%202023-11-10%20at%2012.47.07%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=10c67129-dc7f-4b3b-abf0-79fbee0db486" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

8. When you've chosen your fabric swatch, click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**x button**</mark> (<img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2FqRKZTEAhOWSrqmXHZneg%2F08%20x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c37cfdfd-c381-4429-9e22-a9285d2268c3" alt="" data-size="line">) to exit and save.

9. You can now see the new fabric is linked to Fabric Link D.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2Fv0KWLkmjqfxjjWXpsZgR%2FScreen%20Shot%202023-11-10%20at%2012.48.39%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c915f197-96a5-42da-8700-e8df29756333" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>New Fabric Link D fabric</em></p></figcaption></figure></div>

10. You will now see that our blocks using Fabric Link D now are using to our printed Sarah Watts fabric - and the fabric is being used at the correct scale for the block.

    <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2632437258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZIxhpDEaPtVb8DXlSENh%2Fuploads%2Fj0JfuoaAn063FndFiYT1%2FScreen%20Shot%202023-11-10%20at%2012.49.37%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4bc5e0c3-daa6-4f0e-9a4a-fc926a43cfe9" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>