> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.prequilt.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.prequilt.com/prequilt-101/starter-quilts/first-prequilt-quilt/09-using-printed-fabric.md).

# 09 Using Printed Fabric

Our Ribbon Star quilt progress:

* [x] Select your quilt grid
* [x] Import or design your quilt block
* [x] Choose your quilt fabric colors
* [x] Add blocks to quilt grid
* [x] Finessing your quilt *(optional)*
* [x] Add sashing *(optional)*
* [x] Add borders *(optional)*
* [x] Add binding
* [ ] Using printed fabric swatches *(optional)*
  * [ ] Shop linked online quilt stores
  * [ ] Use printed fabric swatches
* [ ] Download quilt map, blocks & swatches

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">**PRO 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 %}

Now that we have our quilt designed using solid fabric, you might want to replace the solid fabric with printed fabric.&#x20;

## <mark style="color:blue;">01 Shopping Linked Quilt Stores</mark>

{% hint style="warning" %} <mark style="color:orange;">**ALERT:**</mark> When a [*<mark style="color:blue;">Color Tag</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#color-tags) is changed (either from a solid to another solid - or from a solid to a printed fabric swatch), everything that is linked to that Color Tag will also change.
{% endhint %}

Since our quilt blocks are designed using [*<mark style="color:blue;">Color Tags</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#color-tags), we can easily replace the solid fabric used in our quilt with printed fabric. All we need to do is replace the solid fabric that is linked to a Color Tag with the desired printed fabric swatch.&#x20;

There are multiple different ways to add printed fabric swatches to PreQuilt. One method was detailed in the [*<mark style="color:blue;">Binding Guide in Step 08</mark>*](/prequilt-101/starter-quilts/first-prequilt-quilt/08-adding-binding.md#a-or-import-fabric-swatch). I'm going to show you another way here - using the [*<mark style="color:blue;">Fabric Dashboard</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#fabric-dashboard) and the linked Online Quilt Stores to shop fabrics in our colors.&#x20;

1. From the main [*<mark style="color:blue;">Dashboard</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#dashboard), click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**FABRIC**</mark> tab. This will take you to the [*<mark style="color:blue;">Fabric Dashboard</mark>*](/welcome-to-prequilt/about-this-help-guide/glossary.md#fabric-dashboard).

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/rZqFBQpxvCoOuHgsjX3F" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. Click on the tile called '<mark style="color:blue;">**Import from an online store**</mark>'.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/pSKBoM1UfsnHqNj54Gse" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Browse**</mark>' button for your preferred online fabric store - I'm going to pick my local quilt shop, [*<mark style="color:blue;">Fabric Spark</mark>*](https://fabricspark.com/), for this example.

   * ***Disclaimer:*** These are free collaborations with online fabric shops. Fabric swatches are pulled from in stock inventory. If a fabric sells out, it is removed from the shop.
   * ***Disclaimer:*** There is no cost to use or import these digital fabric swatches. PreQuilt also does not profit from the use of these swatches.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/HMmFcMviIMarCgcI1Wm7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Colors**</mark>' tab to search fabric by color. Then click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**name of the color**</mark> you're looking for.

   * ***Disclaimer:*** Each fabric shop organizes their fabric in different way. Not every shop has a search by color option.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/0qNATYTK8PwQfJyFzwMv" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Save**</mark>' button found under the printed fabric swatches you're interested in adding to your Fabric Dashboard. You can add as many as you'd like!

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/lxuu5Tg6zLHjl5qPeThg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
6. When you're finished, click on the <img src="/files/1q1of3vBVAT77HexrNXf" alt="" data-size="line"> button in the top right corner to return to the Fabric Dashboard.
7. Your Fabric Dashboard will now have all your imported printed fabric swatches.

   <figure><img src="/files/vxcnkKJ1bXvXURWa1Oah" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## <mark style="color:blue;">02 Using Printed Fabric Swatches</mark>

Now that we have all our fabric swatches loaded onto our Fabric Dashboard, we can now use them in our quilt by editing our Color Tags.

1. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**COLOR TAGS**</mark> tab on the left side control panel.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/NF1cdij6q2HiqzJYTwN6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Edit**</mark>' button next to the Color Tag you'd like to change. I'm going to start with Fabric D.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/oq8WcPNCU6XzXjH6c0Xy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. The fabric library panel will slide out. Click on the <mark style="color:blue;">**PRINTS**</mark> tab.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/EG0V3rL7eku1M0bj2MpT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Click on the '<mark style="color:blue;">**Select**</mark>' button under the printed fabric swatch you'd like to use for Color Tag D.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/UMqGGrUvOjEuFid4VFNO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. Change the scale so that it's accurate to the size of the block.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/J0A1jZBwNdVeS9je2Y1u" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
6. Once finished, click on the <img src="/files/hGS4zLnGG9g0S9wpC8Fo" alt="" data-size="line"> button to exit and save.
7. All the blocks that use Color Tag D have now changed to our fabric selected printed fabric swatch.
8. Repeat ***Steps 02.2-6*** for all the Color Tags you'd like to use printed fabric swatches for.
9. In this example, I changed all the Color Tags, except for the background fabric (A), to use printed fabric.

   <figure><img src="/files/5guIkUR2RCeLT88m6JaV" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Quilt using printed fabric swatches &#x26; solid background</em></p></figcaption></figure>