I've been working with my color card this week...choosing fabrics to go with some of my pre-cuts. I love the fact that the Bella samples can be lifted up from the board, allowing you to set fabrics underneath to make sure you have the perfect match (or contrast) you're looking for.  I'm not sure whether I should categorize the color card as a notion or a tool...but I absolutely consider this a necessity for matching fabrics and incorporating solids into my quilts.

I also love the fact that many of the Bella solids are available as precuts: bundles, layer cakes, jelly rolls, and charm packs. I'm getting ready to use the jelly roll below in a quilt and already know it will save me a ton of time!

(Pictured below: fat quarter bundles of new Moda Bella Warm colors on the left and new Moda Bella Brights on the right).

I have some upcoming posts planned with ideas for Bella solids: organization ideas, some tips, and several "what goes with what" posts, but I thought today I'd start with a simple idea I've been using for a couple of years now. While I love the Bella solids pre-cuts, I also love purchasing quarter and half-yards.

But I also want to be sure I know which colors I have in case I end up deciding to use a piece for a bigger project. If I need to order more fabric, I want to know exactly which color to order.

I make little tags to pin onto each larger piece of my Bella solids. I just use my pinking shears to cut little rectangle "tags" and then use a permanent marker to identify the color name and number.

The tags just take a minute to make, it's easy to remove them  when you're ready to use your fabric, and the tags are easy to pin back on.