dunster

The first fabric has a lot of white area with no movement, making it less suitable for a OBW. The second fabric is very busy, with more colors than are recommended. However I've seen successful OBW's that didn't "follow the rules." There is an app that you can use to show you what a fabric will look like in a OBW here - http://oneblockwonder.com/design-helper/

Macybaby

I've made several and the biggest concern is that you need a large print. Even with a lot of movement and color, if the print is smaller, all the blocks will end up a lot more similar than you'd probably want. I think with the prints you picked out, with the first, your blocks will be primarily white with interesting designs, but you won't have blocks with different color patterns. With the second, there isn't enough contrast, so from a distance, the blocks are going to blend together.

I love the OBW quilts were there are some significant color differences in the blocks.

Jordan

The Dear Stella fabric has a lot more color and design. I feel the first fabric has too much white in the background. Good luck on your decision

Peckish

I agree 100%. I am unable to advise which fabric would be better because I don't know the repeat of either!

newBe

Thanks for your input. It was very similiar to what I was worried about. I have watched the utubes on the topic and own the book. Usually quilting fabric does not mention the repeat, but I have noticed it on upholestry fabric.
I think I need to continue to search for fabric. I don't own the fabric to be used for Sat's class, so I better get going!!! Thanks again for your expertise! I'll try to use the program to get a preview.

peaceandjoy

Is the class at a quilt shop? If it is, you could ask them to help you select a fabric from their inventory. That is what I did with my first OBW. If you can't get there before Saturday, maybe they would let you come in early to choose something before the class starts.

You do need to know the repeat, so that you know how much fabric to purchase.

That design app is really cool. Using the app, and guessing that the second fabric has an area of about 12", I really liked the first one better. I dont mind a lot of white space. But it does allow the bird to be seen as a whole, where often you really can't tell what the original fabric was. This is a result of the scale of the fabric.

Teddybear Lady

Thank you for the reminder . I have this bookmarked on my computer and finally put in the picture of my fabric choice. I love it! I was told at one time it would be too boring, but I love the colors and all the different designs it makes.

L'il Chickadee

For my first class for a OBW, the teacher was kind enough to go with me to find a fabric. I remember the repeat needed was 24", make sure the fabric has a true repeat (I have a piece that doesn't and it gave me fits on another project), check that there are no flaws and you'll need gobs of it (was it four yards??). Too bad that online sellers don't include vital information in their descriptions, at least fabric.com has the ruler at the base of the sample and you can see the half drop repeat of the bird.

maviskw

I think I would go with flowers instead of birds. Everything gets cut up, and cut up flowers look nicer than a beheaded bird.

newBe

No beheaded birds for me! Ha Ha.
I enjoyed the class taught by Margaret Lewis/Louis? at Cabbage Rose in Fort Worth. It was so visually pleasing that other customers in the shop observing the creations developed a need for another class next week! Margaret used a Marti Michell Folding Magic Mirror 6"X6" to help in the selection of fabric. Really cool.

Thanks for your help quilters!