Your method of testing with construction paper is such a great idea. thanks for that info!

I have noticed that also. My mother used to say that when dark colors are used in clothing, quilts, etc that it showed the signs of the times.

Could she have been right? Nobody knows, but I have seen people in my area wearing more and more dark clothes.

Yet, the designers of clothing and quilt have become more erratic, in my opinion with their colors. This falls colors are purple and orange.

Interesting to read from the designer's point of view. Made me think about my buying patterns and what I do see at my LQS. I think that one of the LQS's in my area does try and present more complex designs to their customers in the form of classes, but the others couple of shops definitely display the easier/instrant gratification quilt patterns more.

I make many quilts per year and most of my patterns come from fabric mfgrs. Websites. I love mode bakeshop and RJR, I look at the design not the colors or fabrics. I always try to challenge myself to keep me learning and not bored. I look at these turning twenty and yellow brick road and I would be so bored doing one that I would never make the second one. Now I understand many Quilters only have time for these and love the simplicity and that is good. We are not all alike. But, please, designers, let's keep some of the more intricate ones coming to those of us who love the challenge of an intricate quilt.

Not the least bit preachy. Your comments are very well put and make perfect sense. Thank you for sharing your unique perspective on this topic. :D

I agree some quilts that are shown in quilt magazines are boring because of the fabric chosen. However, I think a true quilter will take a quilt block and by choosing different fabric can make gorgeous quilts. What is it that Mary Ellen Hopkins says - These are just kindergarten blocks, but it's the fabric that jazzes them up, or something like that. I agree. I have a friend who buys quilt kits because everything is already cut out, but I don't because I like choosing my own fabric. Different strokes.

I think one can find patterns one likes and patterns one dislikes from almost any era.

Or blocks that one likes and dislikes in any particular quilt - the Jane A. Stickle quilt popularized in the Dear Jane book is one example - some of the blocks are - in my opinion - lovely. Others, what was she (or whoever - sometimes I've wondered if she participated in a block exchange) thinking?

Thank you for explaining from the designers prospective.

When you talked about the quick and easy patterns that is interesting. Until about a couple of months ago I had never made one of those quick and easy patterns. I have done bargello, paper pieces several time, OBW, and several other intermidate and advanced patterns. It was actually fun to make something so quickly. But there is no challenge there for me.

So thank again.

It seems to me that most of the quilts I'm seeing are modern which is ok, modern is ok...but seems like every quilt is white with brights and all squares and rectangles...no triangles which limits the design.

I have always had a problem with looking at a pattern even if it is clothing or quilting and then visualizing it with a fabric I have. I've been sewing 53 years and still haven't overcome this problem. I am dropping magazine subscriptions because of seeing the same pattern over and over in so many of them and just more and more advertising.