I am about to begin a scrappy quilt doing BOM's with a group of six quilters. We have each chosen 2 blocks for the year - 12 altogether :) - the theme is 'scrappy' - we were to choose blocks that will look good made, well scrappy-like. Not real thrilled about the idea - My ideas about scrappy and theirs is different - but I am going along with it because it's taken forever to get these quilters to decided to do a BOM to begin with - and what's one more quilt to just cover up with on cold evenings?!?!?! Not a big deal to me - HOWEVER - here is my question - - - since it's going to be a sampler scrappy quilt - is there any way of tying it altogether with the materials? Or just go 100% scrappy? Maybe all blue/white scraps (is that REALLY a scrappy quilt?) or just use whatever and use a unifying color for the sashing? What think ye, ladies (and gentlemen)? Thanks.

I've seen lots of scrappy quilts that had a theme, like blue/white or Christmas prints, or all batiks, I think as long as all the fabrics don't match it would be scrappy. okay, there's mine.(opinion that is LOL)

I think if you look at some of elenore burns books, like egg money quilts or even her logcabin books, you will see that even though there are many colors that are scrappy, they all work together to make it cute. The sashings being all the same color helps too. I love the black sashings, it really makes a scrappy quilt pop.

I'd suggest a common background color for those blocks that have a background fabric....cream, tan, black. Good luck!

I've made orphan block quilts and use the same plain or tone-on-tone sashing or strip around each block. This sets the colors apart but one color holds the eye.
No matter how you do this BOM, it will be beautiful.

You can have everyone use a white on white or cream on cream print for the backgrounds. We did a swap with the 30's prints and the white on white was perfect for it. We used all the colors we wanted for the blocks and it came out very nice.

I've been in a small group for 17 years (we've ranged from 6 to 9 members) and we have done many a group project. Since each of you has selected two blocks, why don't you each select a fabric theme that you like (i.e. batiks, red/white & blue, 1930's repro, autumn, Christmas, juvenile brights, etc etc). Then draw up a master list so that each one of you makes 2 blocks each month, making one block for 2 of the other group members. On the list you will have the person's preferred fabric choice, which block to make and who to make for. For example:
Fabric Choices:
Ann - Batiks
Betty - Christmas
Carol - baby girl pastels
Diane - Autumn leaves
Evie - civil war repro's
Fran - red, white and blue

August: Log cabin block
Ann - makes for Betty and Carol
Betty - makes for Carol and Diane
Carol - makes for Diane and Evie
Diane - makes for Evie and Fran
Evie - makes for Fran and Ann
Fran - makes for Ann and Betty

September: Jacob's ladder block
Ann - makes for Carol and Diane
Betty - makes for Diane and Evie
Carol - makes for Evie and Fran
Diane - makes for Fran and Ann
Evie - makes for Ann and Betty
Fran - makes for Betty and Carol

etc. etc.

In 12 months, every one will have 24 blocks and will have made blocks for from their own stash for everyone in the group!

I LOVE scrappy quilts but you do need something to tie them all together. Either use a common theme like this one we did on block central. They were all outdoor fabrics with coordinating fabrics. Im adding the sashing in brown and beige to make it work.
[IMG]http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...locksQuilt.jpg[/IMG]
Sometimes you get an odd one that just doesnt seem to fit in. I take it out and use it for something else.

Scrappy quilts are my favorite! This wonderful site has lots of inspiration:
http://www.quiltville.com/

thank you all for you words of wisdom. I like the idea of saying who has what theme/color for each month, I'll see what all my other quilters want to do with these suggestions.