And if you start with the fabric - how do you choose a pattern for it?

I've been slowly collecting Tina Givens fabrics because I love her prints - I want them to show enough, but at the same time, not be huge individual pieces - does that make sense? So how would I go about choosing a pattern for it? Unfortunately I have all size pieces from yardage to charm squares.

Find a charm square pattern that you can swap around to include larger pieces? I was going to say a Turning Twenty would be great - I especially like the Turning Twenty Again - lots of smaller piece, more variety in shapes and sizes... Or maybe a charm pattern with borders and also piece a back, so it's reversible?

Grab a pot of coffee and head over to quilters cache :D:D:D
There are hundreds of blocks and all sizes too!!!
One or more of these will jump out and grab you...then you can start thinking about borders out of your stash and you will have a beautiful quilt :D:D:D

http://www.quilterscache.com

I've done both - started with fabric and started with a pattern. When starting with fabric and there are several sizes involved I tend toward either scrappy, log cabin, or any of the wonderful books that work with layer cakes or jelly rolls. I'm excited to see where you head with your project - love to see pictures!

Oooo - that turning 20 again could work... the different fabrics could be used in the square/rectangle sizes that would show them off the best - and since I have such a mish-mash of colors and patterns, the randomness of this quilt would work. And it sounds like it's a beginners pattern too, which is what I need!

Do you have a favorite shop to buy patterns from?

I'm a stickler for my local quilt shop - but my aunt works there and my son has nearly grown up there, so that's no surprise! - but lots of places sell patterns.

The Turning Twenty Again is really easy - it was the second quilt I made, and really simple. Really fun too - it's one of my favorites in the house :)

Take a look at the BQ and BQ2 patterns by Maple Island Quilts...if you don't have enough of your prized fabs to get the largest square requirement, you could "build" a patchwork block of your smaller yet similar pieces up to the required size. I "framed" some interesting fabric to get to size. I think you might get an interesting design that would be unique to your quilt but would still showcase your special fabric. Just a suggestion.

Bobbinwinder that is exactly what I was going to suggest ! LOL!

Bobbinwinder I too love these patterns. I made a Thomas train one from BQ and I`m going to order BQ2 THey go together so fast.
Gale

Fabric, almost all the time. My fabrics are rarely purchased with a project in mind; they simply are the ones that sing the loudest to me in the shop.
And they come home, and they try to make friends with what I own, and eventually, they turn into a grouping, and I will decide on a pattern!