Made some changes...need opinions again....
 

I changed things a little from the pics I posted last week. Still trying to decide on colors. What do you think? Which one do you think looks best?

First one. :)

I'm voting #1

I like the first one best, but they are both pretty. The one with the black pops more.

I vote for #1

I like the first one best too. However, I'm not keen on all the centers of the nine-patches being the same color. It turns the single Irish Chain into more of a nine-patch.

I also think a single Irish Chain works better when the background fabric in the large squares and the background fabric of the nine-patches are the same fabric. The second photo is like this, but the fabric print is too different in feel from the batik chains to be effective, and also does not offer enough contrast to be effective.

I would take some nine-patches to the store and lay them against several different background fabrics to find a better color combo. For example, I'd try the nine-patches against various batik creams and tans, or perhaps a bright steel gray, and plan to make both the large background squares and the nine-patch background squares that fabric. Also, I would keep the chains random. Random bright colors against a batik neutral would look fab, in my opinion.

I wanted this to be an Irish chain. Am I correct in thinking that going with the black one will mess up the chains? Would the top one still look like a chain since the colors in the big square and the 4 little ones are so similar?

The black one definitely interferes with the Irish Chain pattern. I personally prefer all one background fabric (but the middle photo does not offer enough contrast with the chains). For the random chain approach, I would not have all the middle pieces of the nine-patch the same; that is more suitable for Grandmother's Flower Garden or plain nine-patch. My 32 cents (accounting for inflation).......

p.s. I really think you need a neutral of some kind for the background fabric in order to set off the chains. For me, there's just way too much blue when blue is the background.

Prism99, I'm not following what you are saying about the middle squares in the 9-patches. For a single chain, don't they have to all be the same as the large squares? The top 2 pictures are deceiving as far as color. The bottom pic is much more accurate.

Number 1, then number 3.

It's the yellow squares. They are in the center of each nine-patch. It really disrupts the flow of a random single Irish Chain pattern. The middle and corner pieces of the nine-patch form the Chain. It is the other pieces that should match the large background squares.

Edit: Oh, I see why it was confusing. I should have said "center squares" instead of middle squares.

I vote for 3. I like the contrast the black brings to it.

Here's a link to a random Single Irish Chain quilt:
http://fabadashery.blogspot.com/2013...arm-quilt.html

I think yours would look stunning with a silvery neutral gray as the background. A swirly batik cream/tan would be another nice choice. You really need a neutral to set off the brightly colored chains. (In my opinion.)

If you want to keep the background fabric, I think either 1 or 2 will work. I agree with Prism that using the same center square in your 9 patch is distracting. I also would keep all your pieces of the 9 patch that are part of the chain a very dark or different color. The green you are using is too close in value to the background.

I like the 'pop' of #3.

Next I like #1. Which at least has interest.

#2 is way to bland.

I like that swirly fabric so much! I think the 1st one and then the 3rd.

I like the third one best.

I vote No. 1

If you are looking for a more subtle coloration, #1 is the choice....for a brighter look, I prefer #3

Now I see what some of you mentioned about the yellow squares. That was quite unintentional. Thanks for the heads-up.....I didn't even notice that.

I am still a novice myself, so for what it is worth, I agree with Prism99. While I like your fabrics and think it will beautiful no matter what, my eye can't really see the chain pattern. I think a neutral would help it be more readily identified as an Irish Chain.

If I remember correctly, You want an Irish Chain pattern, right? I would use your second trial. It would give you a single Irish Chain pattern.
Nice colors!
peace

EDIT: The first and third are basically nine patches alternating witha filler block. The would not be an Irish Chain block.

I like the top one.

I like # 3 the colors pop more, more striking IMHO

#1. There's less contrast, but I still like it. The black in #3 is too severe. #2 would be ok, too.

Do I just have the wrong pattern? I am completely undecided on this quilt and it's quickly becoming no fun at all. I loved the quilt that someone on here made for her granddaughters wedding.....maybe I should change to something like that. Opinions? When you are totally up-in-the-air on something, is that an indication that you need to go back to square one??

check out Judys mystery train think its the third one she has done an irish chain and there are dozens of examples of peoples work some worked some not so well.. I did it and loved my irish chain came out well one white one purple that really stood out. I think less color is more sometimes. If you go with what you have started out with the first catches my eye the most but maybe the lighter blue blocks would stand out more? I truly suggest you go see how everyone else did it and then you can make a better judgement call on what you want in YOUR quilt. after all your the one living with it in the end.

ps the mystery train number 3 can be found in block of the month category.

I'm very happy you put some pattern in the fabric, but I am going to agree with prism here. You need a neutral to set off your colors - all your hues are the same, except for the black, of course. You need some color play, I think. The colors you are using are the same values.

I like the first one.

I like # 1 best.

I like the aqua version best. For the same reason as last week, I like the lighter colors for a wedding and darker/black for a funeral.

Love the first one!

I'll vote for #1 too.

Second for Irish Chain, Third for Nine Patch.

I like #1.

Number one !

Number 1 for me.

Number 1 first choice then number 3

Definitely the first one.