Jennifer Forker, April 2013

Artists and craftspeople know that the colors they choose – and leave out – are critical ingredients in their works’ success, no matter the medium. Color done well is captivating. Color done badly? It’s just bad. Or drab.

Yet a color tweak may be all it takes to turn up a piece’s vibrancy and magic. An eye for color is both intuitive and learned, say the experts.

Kaffe Fassett has spent a lifetime experimenting. The septuagenarian is exuberant with color in his embroidery, knitting and fabric designs. He’s known for bold florals, fruits and vegetables, and geometric shapes — in sweaters, knitted coats and needlepoint. The author of 15 books, his latest, “Kaffe Fassett Quilts: Shots and Stripes” (Amazon USA / UK This link opens in a new window), goes minimal with vibrant swaths of color — a simplicity that’s a stretch for him….