Better save that for another project. No component finishes larger than 3 inches and all of them are pieced in some way. A directional will not work. I recommend subtle batiks and hand-dye, blenders, and maybe solids. (I rarely work with solids -- too boring.) Most of my work emphasizes the pattern of the piecing, rather than the pattern of the fabric.

One way you could use that directional is as a palette for your colors. Let's say it's big red poppies on black. Match your working fabrics to the reds and black and greens of the poppies. Then you might be able to use your directional as a border and everything co-ordinates.

Thanks for such a quick response. I think I will do that.

I might join you. I just started one but am already behind. Trying to keep extra busy in the evenings rather than sitting here as if in a coma. laugh. So, I'm checking out my fabrics again. Always the most fun part.

Ice, In post #9 are your color suggestions listed in your order of #1, #2, #3, #4 so we can use the correct color for the correct yardage?

Yes. Whatever colors you decide to use for #1, you will need 1 1/2 yards and so on.

Hm, I guess you didn't understand my question. For example, if your suggested color combinations are in the correct order, then 'pale green' or 'pale gold' would be #4, but you list #4 as the darkest color so that's confusing. The color combinations sound interesting, but if I chose one of them, then I'm not sure which color would be the one you suggest nice as scrappy or which one would be better as constant. So, then the consternation in knowing how much yardage comes in. The suggestion of black, white, gray, red seems obviously out of order, even allowing for #1 and #4 to be switched. Is it the two mid-range colors that look good scrappy and the light and dark colors that look good constant?

Of your fabrics 1, 2, 3,4. Which one would be the standout or WOW colour please.

Yes, this exactly. I can't get to the examples that I saved in EQ 8, because that machine is now at my son-in-law's house being worked on. Sorry for the confusion.

#3. It doesn't have to be scrappy.

#1 & #4 are more or less your neutrals , and #2 uses the smallest amount of fabric in fairly small bits, so it doesn't really have a chance to stand out.

Since there was confusion, I've reordered some of them. And yes, some of them have a light color as #1, and some of them have a dark color as #1. Just remember that your #4 is the background and plain borders. Even in these suggestions, you can swap the darkest color for the lightest.

I appreciate everyone's questions and patience. I learned a lot with the last mystery, and it looks like I'm still learning.