2024 Color of the Year

Wait, what? There is a color of the year? Why yes, yes there is.

Panetone announces its color of the year at the end of each preceding year. In addition, the major paint companies announce their new colors of the year. And lifestyle and home decor companies have their offerings, too. But Pantone is definitely the leader in all things color.

What or who is PANTONE?
ABOUT PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE

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The Pantone Color Institute^™ is a consulting service that forecasts global color trends and advises companies on color in brand identity and product development, for the application and integration of color as a strategic asset. Recognized around the world as a leading source of color information through seasonal trend forecasts, custom color development, and palette recommendations for product and corporate identity, Pantone Color Institute partners with global brands to leverage the power, psychology and emotion of color in their design strategy.

Pantone, a leader in the graphics industry, started its color of the year program in 2020. If you have ever worked with commercial printing, you are aware that any logo is assigned carefully selected Pantone colors that will become part of the standard for printing the logo and related materials and assures that a logo/design/style remains true.

Why should we quilters care? Well first off, those color choices get translated into new fabric offerings. I always watch for my favorite colors to come around in the color of the year and then buy accordingly. Kona also announces a color of the year each year, usually tying closely to the Pantone choice.

If you cant find your favorite colors in a sweater or in fabric, blame Pantone! They lead; others follow. Bothered and bedeviled by beiges, terrified and taunted by taupes? Offended by oranges, repulsed by rude reds? Pantone may be at the root of your outrage.

But by following color of the year, you can know when your favorites will be having a good year.

Did you catch the purple trend in 2022? I did! I still have a layer cake of this bright, plumy purple called “Cosmos”. I also made a “Purple Reign” quilt with the same purple tone that is going to my grand daughter for Christmas.

What was the Kona color for 2023? It was this watermelony color called “Crush”. No, I did not indulge this year. But I did appreciate the exuberance of this color! And I probably bought some fabric with this as a background or accent color.

This aligned closely with the Pantone 2023 color , Magenta.

And here it is…drum roll…

And there was this…

But then the Kona Color of the Year did their reveal and what a surprise it is!

So what can we surmise from these announcements?

If you like pastels, this is your year! If you revel in muted tones and a soft, romantic look to your quilts, then 2024 will be your year to stock the stash. I anticipate seeing lots of pastel coordinating shades as well including pale plums and lilacs, which would complement them both, pale golds or off whites.

If you prefer more vibrant tones, like the 2022 and 2023 colors of the year (and yes, that is me!) the spring offerings may be a bit disappointing. I like jewel tones; deep wells of color that fill the senses. I confess that pastels leave me restless and unenthusiastic. My advice for us saturated color lovers is to catch the year end clearance sales at our favorite fabric shops and online retailers. Stock up on those vibrant tones before the Year of the Pastel descends!

I am having a bit of a 70’s flashback with the orange and green tones, and it may all end up in a bit of a retro revival. But we will soldier on and seek out those hidden gems of glorious color wherever they may be hiding.

Happy quilting all!

Lennea