VickieM: My small group of 8 did this at Christmastime one year. We had great results. We each chose one pattern to make for everyone using their fabric. I think you are right on track with your plans: giving plenty of fabric choices and a designated background and ample amounts of fabric allow lots of freedom for the sewist. We were in weekly contact with one another and could ask for any more or a specific fabric if needed. And as you said, the extra in the kit can be used when setting the quilt together . We returned all unused fabric. Hope your group has fun, too. It was so neat to see how they were all alike, yet so different!