I just got a gift of 8 fat quarters of batik. How do I figure out how to use them effectively? I can do squares or log cabins but what else?
The patterns are bold. Any ideas. You are all the best!

I would say for each square, choose "at least" a light and a dark. Like, if you had a yellow and tan I wouldn't pair those together, but yellow with a medium blue and a tan with an orange would work....batiks are really mix-and-match, but you just don't want the (block) pattern to disappear.

Good, thanks!

There is a tute in tutorials for making 5"squares into a 4 patch. I did this with my batiks.

The only idea I have for them better than what Rebecca said about pairing them with light and dark is you could gift them to me <bwsg>. Now that would be a good use of them.

Seriously, pick a light color that goes good with a FQ and a dark color and make either Attic Window or Log Cabins out of them. Those are my two favorite patterns. Unless you wanna try a tumbling block.

ReRe
(bwsg = big wide silly grin)

Thanks! I'm looking up Attic Window.

There is a pattern called "Wickedly Easy" that takes 8 fqs to make a twin quilt. You can find it here:

http://www.byannie.com/free-patterns/

There are attic window patterns available without the Y seams too :D:D:D

ReRe tell her to join the fat qtr exchange and then send them to me. I love batiks.ROFL

I wouldn't consider this a hard and fast rule. Some of the most beautiful quilts I've seen have been low contrast.

What about a Bento Box pattern?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-28086-1.htm

If you do a search maybe someone has a link to the pattern

The Wicked Easy Quilt looks great for my skill level. I'm afraid it might be a bit busy. I love bright colors. Will think about it.

Check out the quilting books that are geared towards fat quarters. (Library, LQS, bookstore) either to borrow, browse or to buy.

I made a 2 baby quilts and they were a little busy, but it went together easy and quick, and looks very nice.

You might want to check out this site
http://www.sweettreat.com/Version2/catalog/index.php

Their "Sweet Treats" are sets of 8 fqs, and they have many patterns that use 8 fqs plus a little yardage to make a quilt.

thanks all
My local library is really pathetic but I'll look online

You could make the "Yellow Brick Road" pattern or you could make half-square triangles. Pick a color that will go with the batiks you have and then after you've made the HST's you can play around with them as there are LOTS of different designs you can make with the half-square triangles (HST).

thanks, I'll look it up

lol

Sorry! They are so gorgeous I'll find a pattern !!.

carpentar star uses 8-fq with background and borders.

I really like the carpenter's star and was surprised when I made one how easy it is.
Here is a quilt I made from fat quarters that was very easy and is unique.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-44145-1.htm

Thank you! Here are my first quilts!