Scrappy quilts are my favorites.... but I don't have a stash of fabrics. So I end up buying fabric to make scrappy quilts. Does anyone else do this?
I have found that I have to be a little fearless in choosing fabrics and resist the urge to be matchy-matchy. Even if I limit myself to specific color families, lots of variety is the key. Once I have a large number of fabrics, more than 40, I can see how contrast and value work together. To me, a pieced scrappy quilt has an energy that can't be seen in one made from coordinated fabrics.
I can see how quilter's build large stashes-- you end up with lots of leftovers! As soon as I buy fabrc, I'm going to cut them into strips like Bonnie Hunter recommends on quiltville.com so will I use what I have.