I always have trouble with beginning a quilt. I am not a designer!! I want to make a baby quilt, I have some cute fabric in 4" squares, with baby chicks on a white background. It has some dusky blue, green, and yellow in the print. I tried making a 9 patch with the yellow, green and blue, kind of heavy with the main fabric with the white back ground. I cut the 9 patch to do a disapearing 9 patch, the blue seems to bold. Yeeach!!! I'm getting no where! Any ideas?

I often have the same problem. Sometimes it helps me to look at a quilt i like or a block i like and use that to help choose fabrics. By that i mean not copying the fabrics in that block but more the tones of the fabric--lights, darks, meds, large prints, solids etc. Maybe you can find a pattern you like using a novelty print like the chicks and see what other fabrics are put with it. Hope that makes sense.

By the way, where in Upstate NY are you?

I am in Verona, between Oneida and Rome. I think my problem is the background is so light, and the blue is pretty intense, maybe throw in a little pink instead of the blue - - I get exasperated!

Sorry i can't help. Maybe just play around with it until you find something you like. Maybe another shade of blue would be more suitable?

You are way north of where I live, on the PA border between Corning and Elmira.

I know where that is!

Can you post a photo, easier to help with visual

If in doubt, pin your samples to a wall and stand on the other side of the room to look at them. They will either be pleasing or the "wrong" color will stand out.

I always have doubts when I am starting but somehow they always turn out. Sometimes I try to match things too well and so many beautiful quilts need a fabric to pop and stand out. Maybe when it is done it will be perfect.