DebraK

I think the larger Asian prints make gorgeous OBW quilts.

willferg

If you are feeling a little timid, you could start with a four patch posies – it's the same concept but you cut the portion of the repeat into squares and put them together in fours.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t190159.html

There are lots on the board if you search, and the pattern is a little easier.

PaperPrincess

I think all 3 would work, but the first one would be stunning. The only thing is if you are ordering on line, you will need to find out how big the repeat is. To do a hex OBW, you will need to get 6 repeats, so if the repeat is 24", you would need 4 yards, if the repeat is 12", then you would only need 2. Be sure to order a bit more to account for fabric not cut straight, and to have a bit of the original fabric. It's fun to have the uncut fabric in the border, or a patch on the back.

sept97

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPHKHXVs2oI

Gabrielle's Mimi

I have seen some beautiful OBWs. My suggestion is that you choose a busy, or even wild print. Two of the most memorable OBW quilts I have seen were a bright orange, yellow and gold koi fish pattern on blue water background, and the other was a collection of teacups each with a different design on it. I have one half finished with bright jungle parrots on it...lots of colors and interesting feathers and leaves. Now for the least successful (IMHO) ones I've seen: fabrics with a lot of plain background between the elements. Plain background in large areas provides no design. The other unsuccessful one I saw was an all-over print of yellow daffodils with green leaves. Because the fabric was an all-over print, once the blocks were cut and assembled, it still looked almost the same as the original fabric. Go BOLD; even ugly works well because of the kaleidoscope effect. The right fabric is key to the success of a OBW.

Gabrielle's Mimi

Forgot to tell you this hint: I usually buy my OBW fabrics on the mark down rack at my LQS. Sometimes "ugly" fabrics that are on clearance make the most interesting quilts, provided you like the colors. You have to like the colors, but not the design or images on fabric. You'll need a lot of yardage, so clearance pricing is a good thing! Also, be sure to put a piece of the original fabric on the back of the quilt for a "before and after" effect.

Gabrielle's Mimi

Just thought of one more thing: take a folding mirror with you when you go fabric shopping. Prop the mirror up on the fabric with the 2 sides at a 45 degree angle to each other. Then move the mirror around on he fabric to get a bit of a kaleidoscope preview and see if you like the images you get.

grammy of 6

I have been looking at the same fabric for a OBW! I have not made one yet, but have the book [in fact I have both books] How many yards did you buy?

quiltingnd

Would this fabric work? http://www.joann.com/legacy-studio-c...prd_02292043a/

I watched a video on youtube where they used instruments. I didn't think that there was a lot of color in the fabric itself, but I thought it made a lovely OBW quilt.

catmcclure

I just bought a bolt (15 yards) of [B]P&B's Midnight Garden fabric (MIGA 815) to make a OBW.

http://www.pbtex.com/html/mgar.html