Quiltnchik - same thing happened the first time I made a 1600 quilt. I wanted to make a 48" square baby quilt and it was sort of like using variegated yarn, with blotches of colors and often the same fabrics ending up next to each other. I ended up cutting the strips into 48" lengths so that I would have more control. The next two quilts I made I just cut all strips into 48" lengths at the beginning.

Peckish, I think your original 1600 quilt was beautiful! But I like the cut-up one too.

Thanks for all the tips. I'm still working on this "45-minute" quilt top (since yesterday), because I keep getting sidetracked by barn chores, etc.. I'll see how it looks once I finish, but I really like the idea of making a postage stamp quilt out of it instead. :)

I tried to avoid repeating the same two squares in a row, so I ended up turning some of the rows around, and I think there were a couple of strips that I took apart in the middle, flipped the ends around, and sewed back together again. My biggest concern was that some of the squares ended up being smaller than 2.5", but once it was all put back together again it didn't really matter, they don't draw the eye like I expected them to.

Love the idea. Be sure to post the finished quilt.

I have seen some of the 1600 quilts with applique flowers and such sewn onto them, I liked those better.

I liked your original Peckish and I liked the finished one also.

Peggi that really turn out nice!!!!!

Way to go!! It's great either way! I do love the colors.:)

I appliqued a large Christmas tree on my 1600 Christmas quilt - and it really made a difference. My friend is going to do one in pastels and applique flowers on it. I agree sometimes the fabrics were too close together. Probably won't make another one.

I appliqued on my Christmas 1600 also on the front and back. I liked the 1600 as a background. This quilt has won two awards. The last one, was 2nd place for all the applique.

I do love the look of Peckish's quilt once she cut it up. Beautiful colors.