sometimes my quilts seem to start looking the same even though I choose a different pattern. I wondered if anyone else felt the same way about their quilts and what do you do about it? I am a fairly new quilter (3yr)

I tend to be stuck on certain colors. That does tend to make my quilts all look the same. Doing the Downy Charity quilts has helped to break me out of that way of thinking.

what are downy charity quilts?

Here you go, a lot of people have responded to this they send you a free pre cut kit and you finnish it and send it back to them.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/27514.page

PS Welcome to the board there is a lot to learn from here!!

LOL... Never.... even if I just do samplers for a while, they're all very unique.

I love the dark primitive colors and tend to use them often. someone (a non quilter) once commented my quilts all look the same. It got me to wondering.

Mine have themes over the years - I went through a blue period, basket period, Americana period, and such. I think the beauty of building a good stash is you are not limited by this year's "in" colors.

I think most of the older quilters with country blue/mauve and seafoam/peach quilts will agree with me!

Gee - good question. I don't know that I can answer that since I have done a variety of patterns and a variety of colors. Some of the color combinations are not my style and are quite challenging. Now if I only worked in colors/values I liked, they might start looking alike.

I find that joining swaps (where the partner's preference is stated) is a good and easy way to branch out. Another way is to take classes and try something new.

.....however, if the quilts are well done and pretty - does it matter if they fit in the same family?

Most of mine look different because the kids usually pick out their own patterns and fabrics.