Looking for ideas in designing a quilt
 

I have a large panel and the matching four smaller (pillowcase) panels that I'm making into a quilt for my granddaughter. The panel sizes work out to be surrounded by 6.5" blocks, and in the end I'd like the finished quilt to be about 90x100". I'd like to use all the panels but am beginning to think that maybe that's restricting my thinking, so am also open to thoughts without the four smaller panels. I've sweated over EQ6 trying to draft a pattern but can't figure it out, so created one in Excel to count how many blocks I'll need. I'd like to try using one block to create my quilt design through block rotation and placement. My block ideas are either a log cabin or shaded four patch. I also have lots of a fabric that coordinates with the panels so it makes sense to base my quilt on that fabric as well.

Okay! I would love ideas about block placement and other block ideas. Being of the "follow the directions" ilk, launching into designing my own large quilt has become a bit intimidating and I know there are creative minds around here that will do the thinking I'm not managing.

Attached is a picture of the center panel (the smaller are all similar) and my pattern draft.

The four patch sounds great! Do you have any of the muted green that's around the outside? You could really do something spectacular with that.

I like your layout too. I used that panel to make a lap quilt for my daughter - I cut off the outer border as given and replaced it with a border more suited to my daughter's tastes. There is so much curviness in the picture that you might want to consider using fabrics with curves in their patterns, rather than straight lines.

It is a lovely panel, and I think your daughter's quilt will be beautiful!

Alison

I have lots of that muted green. So far my pattern uses the green as the HST in the four patch but my layout then looks like trees. Spectacular?