Originally Posted by kbiederman
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
Are you talking about the shapes and order of the pattern pieces or the colors that are used in a sample? I have to follow the pattern to make sure that my star doesn't end up looking like a wedge cutter, but I pick my own colors. Sometimes I change size and layout too - sometimes I follow the rules. It all depends.
It all frustrated me to be honest! I have tried to pick my own fabrics, and then I can't decide what I want to use for which, and therefore I am still standing there like a dumb-dumb not being able to figure out how much I need of which :) So, I pick what I like, and see what happens! I made a Turning Twenty that I really liked (oops, I didn't buy the pattern, just figured it out from the pic!) and and tube quilt, and d9p, and a few simpler designs, and they mostly turn out how they are supposed to! Glad I'm not the only one pattern challenged!
draw a rough quilt ...don't need to be exact. make a few copies to play with. then use colored pencils to decide on color placement ...or get ideas for. then look for fabrics in colors close to what you decided on...and mix it all up...microprints look great mixed in with large prints/florals. plaids look amazing mixed with calico prints or even bali fabric...there are no rules..that is why i love quilting