Dou think this fabric is any good for a 4-patch posey?
 

http://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/2128Y.htm

It's on sale and I like the colors but I don't know if it has enough color variety to play. On the plus side, it doesn't look like a repetitive floral where the posies when assembled with sashing don't look much different than the original fabric.

This is another pretty one but again, not sure it has enough variation
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/barg...tail/1655Y.htm

Thoughts?

Thanks
Sue

They both appear to have a lot of cream background compared to the floral area. You might end up with too many cream colored blocks, but they might work if you were picky about scrapping the blocks dominated by the cream background.

Check out Connecting Threads, their fabrics are a little cheaper and you if spend $50.00 freight is free.

I do like both fabrics. the second seems a little sparse of design. I agree you should take a look at Connecting Threads material selections. They are very nice, reasonable and made in America.

Of the two you you selected I think the first one would work better but still a bit of open space.
Be sure to show us your final choice and WIP. I love this pattern. So much fun!
peace

I think that there isn't enough print for it to work properly but they sure are BEAUTIFUL fabrics!!!

I think the second one is better for posey. You need a little free space for the pattern unlike the stack and wack method.

Personally I would prefer more contrast int he fabric itself.

However, if the fabric 'grabs' you then maybe you could use a contrasting color for sashing to help the quilt stand out more ... or Pop.

ali

I like those fabrics and think both would work well for 4PP. The finished look would be less "in your face" and not so vivid and garish as some 4PPs, OBW, etc. can become. You'd get a softer more subtler look. The 2nd might give you a lacy effect with the design already there.

Yes there's open space, but don't let that scare you away. The open space can help to give your eyes a bit of a break, rather than so much going on. That being said, there's two things I'd take into consideration .... if doing 4PP, consider the block size ... don't get it too small, or yes, your blocks will only be he background. The other consideration might be to make a OBW ... then the plainer blocks can be worked into the end layout.

Here's a OBW that I did ... many would have said NO to the fabric, because there was too much background. And yet it worked just find (IMHO!)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...i-t141548.html

I'll look forward to seeing your quilts with both of these fabrics!

QuiltE I like your idea of trying an OBW - in fact, I remember seeing your OBW posting and thinking it really was lovely, plus you did a the clever binding and lace which really enhanced the Victorian look.

If I chose either of those fabrics I would have to do a lot of careful cutting in just the right spots to get unique posies or hexes. Which means a lot of fabric. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks so much for the feedback!

First off, I think those are both lovely fabrics, but I'm not sure they have enough distinct colors to be used for either OBW or 4PP. Each one is basically two colors plus background, and there is not much contrast between the two colors. In QuiltE's beautiful OBW there are at least 4 colors plus background. (However I wouldn't be terribly surprised if you prove me entirely wrong and make a beautiful 4PP with either one.)

Thanks for the kind words about my OBW. I've been very happy with it. It's more subtle and soft than many of the others. I'll agree with Dunster that mine has more colours in it than your two potential fabrics. However, yours have lots of shades within, so while not assorted colours, you will find a good range show thru. It will be more subtle and softer. It really depends on what look you want.

There's been some really lovely OBWs and 4PPs created with minimal colour variations. Sorry, I can't give you links, but one I remember was a fairy fabric, posted by LuvE. Another was a light turquoise and brown combo, no clue as to the poster, and the brown gave a lace-like effect. I think both ere 4PP, and certainly were stunning, and are the reasons why I think your fabrics would do a great job.

As for your comment about carefully cutting to get the uniqueness. Just continuously cut, whether for 4PP or OBW, without any thought about the results. That's the uniqueness of this technique. Every posey or hex will indeed be different. If you do a repeat of the pattern, then slice an extra inch or so off before you start your next repeat, to ensure new kaleidos are created.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, yet I'm sure those fabrics are OK ... how far apart is the repeat?

QuiltE, I don't know how far apart the repeat is. I would have to call and ask the e-store to find out for me. Right now I'm getting cold feet, but I think I might try the posie (I think it's easier than OBW technically ???) and go for some sashes that will 'pop'.

Dunster, thanks for looking at the fabric and offering advice, and I hear you on the number of colors. It might look monotonous but I appreciate your gracious nod (undeserved) to my potential skill. :o

I thought a Posie would be good practice to improve my triangles. I'm doing the Third Time Around to improve my narrow strips. In March I'm taking Paper Piecing at my LQS. Someday I will make a beautiful star like Dunster's avatar. :thumbup:

I had better make up my mind -it is on sale and will be gone.

If you know the brand and pattern info, you might find the repeat on the web. You need to know that, to know how much fabric to order, as you need the # repeats to do the 4PP or OBW or SAW. It's good to have extra fabric, so you can include some of the "virgin" fabric in your quilt as a reference. That might be a small piece .... or might be a border, so quantities would vary! You'll notice that for mine, my backing is the virgin fabric.

Another thing, 4PP will not help you practice triangles, as it's all squares. Unless you plan to do it as a square in a square? OBW is all triangles.

Good Luck! and let us know what you decide.

I guess I'd better go back to the tutorial and read it again! I thought that the four layers of squares got cut crosswise into 4 triangles not four squares!!! I guess I'll try an OBW :o:o:o

Sorry .... my confusion there!
Some 4PPs are cut into squares and sewn together.
Some have cut a larger square then sub cut into the 4 triangles as you mentioned ... I forgot about that!

:)So yes, triangles if you're doing it that way.:)

The four patch posy pattern is awful. Badly printed, blurry black and white pictures, and hard to understand instructions. Save your money and search the blogs for good pictures and tutorials.

BellaBoo, this board is priceless and all you expert quilters are the reason why! I'm going to go by a tutorial and skip the pattern.

In my limited experience, patterns are seldom complete, despite how pretty the cover might look - right now the only pattern I've bought which addressed every area of the quilt was from ToadUSew. Some make cutting a mystery, others leave borders on the cutting room floor, and most have you 'quilt as desired'. Reminds me of a teenager "Oh, WHAT-EV-ERRRR!!!"

Thanks