I want to do an Eleanor Burns Quick Quarter Quilt using a rose floral theme (see these links I found online of the pattern):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72308330@N00/3493002520/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwillhite2000/660789270/

I have 8 prints each of 3 color families (a total of 24 fabrics) –pink, lavender and blue. Of the 8 prints of each color family, 3 prints have a similar colored background (blue background with blue roses, etc.) while the other 5 have white backgrounds. The prints vary in scale from large floral to tiny floral.

I am wondering if I should group together 3 to 4 of the same color family and then progress in to the next color group or should I separate the colors (when looking at the quilt and seeing the vertical progression of fabrics, something like pink, lavender, blue, pink, lavender, blue, etc.). This is so hard to visualize without actually sewing it and to even begin to sew this quilt, you have to have placement planned out first.

I like the 2nd picture.

I would put color families together so it has a more of a wave that runs across, gradually changing from one color family to the next. It's going to be a gorgeous quilt either way. Good luck with it!

HI-- the first link is my quilt! I'm flattered. Thanks for linking to it!! This floral quick quarter quilt was made for an auction!

I used to work at QIAD, for almost 6 years. I have made many of these quilts and two of the quilts I have made with this pattern are in Eleanor's book, Quick Trips!!
this one is in the book: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7230833...7608109553870/

Anyway, this pattern is actually easy to make and soo sooo fun. Whenever I have made this pattern, first thing I do is I cut at least one of the strips needed for the size you are making, of each color of fabric you intend to use. Then lay out all these strips to see which placement looks the best.

You usually would want to have equal amounts of "lights" "mediums" and "darks." You don't want all lights then mediums then darks. It is better to mix up the lights, mediums and darks so that the darks are spread evenly throughout the quilt top.

Progression of colors isn't as important as the fact that whatever strips touch each other go well with each other; ex: fab 1 fab2 and fab3 go well together and look good next to one another; then fab2 fab3 fab4 go together, etc.

If there are one or two fabrics that you would like to see repeat the most, then you would want to place it (them) between the 9th and the 12th strips.

Remember that the last fabric will touch the first fabric so they also need to go together.

Have fun with it and remember that it needs to look the best to you. Hope my suggestions help you.
Feel free to post here or PM me any further questions and I will see if I can help.

Is this quilt made like a bargello?

Yayaquilts, wow, I have to tell you that I immediately recognized the quilt in your link as one that really stood out to me in the book. I looked in my book and found your other one in the completed section at the back (the quick trip one) and really, really love your color and fabrics for that one as well.

I love how you progressed the colors in your Quick Quarter one, and I have to say, that has been my primary basis for the one I am planning--only in soft pastels of pinks, lavendars and blues.

Thanks for the pointer on where to put my "favorite" fabrics to have maximum impact. I was trying to figure that out looking at the diagrams and didn't quite have it figured out.

What does the name mean? Is it for quick 1/4 yd fabrics?

I would look at colour value rather than the colours themselves, eg have the lights through the centre and graduate out through mediums towards darks in the corners. I think this would add a watercolour effect and be very striking. :-)

sewbeadit--I imagine Burns named it this because her directions have it starting from fat quarters and it is a quilt that comes together quickly.

I am doing the lap size so I need 18 different fat quarters. You can however use regular cuts of fabric and then you only need 2 4 inch WOF cuts--this is what I am doing.

He name is not distinctive at all. I realized this when I did a google search to find examples.