Question about Charm Packs
 

Hi Everyone - I am a new member from WV and have been lurking on this site for a while. Y'all are so helpful with problems that I thought I would ask for a little help. Anyway I am going to be making a basic nine patch lap quilt. My plan is to make one for my mom, my dad and my sister for Christmas gifts. I don't have much time so it needs to be easy. I am also self taught and a beginner so I don't want to get too carried away with things.

My problem is that I tend to overthink things. I bought the Seascapes charm packs by Moda for my dad's quilt (he has a beach house) and I can't decide how to place the fabric. I was playing with the charms last night and I was alternating the lights, mediums and darks ending up with either the light or dark in the center block. There were 9 different fabrics in each block. Is it better to use two or three fabrics per block? The other option I thought about is to do the disappearing nine patch (DNP? I think) but I don't know if those fabrics are conducive to cutting like that (would it be too busy?) I am challenged by colors and patterns (I tend to wear solids because there is nothing to match.)

Why don't you get some coordinating yardage in a light color. Moda has some great blenders, or any line. That way you have more fabric to play with. I also would start with a pattern. You sound just like me, and I can drive myself crazy trying to figure something out. Patterns make it so much easier. A dnp sounds like a great idea. (and no sea scapes won't be too busy, it's gorgeous) Use a small print in the middle, because that square will be cut up the most. Then the yardage can fill in where the charm pack repeats or use for borders. You can't do a whole lot with just one charm pack. It can take at least 2 to get enough for a quilt bigger than a baby size.
Also, go to YouTube and watch Jenny from Missouri Star. She has a lot of good advice for beginners and a bunch of tutes on quilts to make with precuts.
I taught myself also, and I have learned a lot here, and from YouTube and from good quilting books. Good luck and please show us a picture of what you come up with.

I did a D9P with that same charm pack! I used a white in the middle and just played around with the placement of the other squares. I like to put the large prints in the corners but I lay all the 9 patches out before sewing to see how they look. [ATTACH=CONFIG]411317[/ATTACH]

I think you are starting in the right direction! Play with the squares... do what feels good. You could get a pattern so your quilt is easy to identify, simply because it is a standard quilt design. That's OK, but there is really something special about thinking of the person who will get the quilt and placing the squares to suit that person. The members of your family who will be getting the quilts will "feel" they are theirs because you've used their colors, their theme. When you put on the "to/from w/date" on the back you can add two or three (or more) words that add to awareness that this quilt was made for that person. I've tried using patterns, but they get in the way of how I want to do the quilt. You are beginning with pre-cut squares, but don't hesitate to make some from other materials if you feel it needs it. You may get information about patterns, but with such a basic design you certainly don't need to use a pattern! Experiment, make it fit the person it is for. I've only been quilting for the last 12 years but I've won awards at quilt shows (for design, not for expertise of technique!) and I think it is because I "build" instead of following patterns. There is certainly nothing wrong about using patterns; I guess I'm trying to get you to think beyond that. In any case, HAVE FUN!

I agree. Here's some tutorials on the DNP. http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...ing+nine+patch

I am actually using a pattern but I don't know what it is called. It is a basic nine patch with sashing. I was thinking of doing the sashing in a blue blender color. The pattern called for three charm packs. I think precuts are going to be my new best friend because the color combos are already matched up for you. I know everyone says you can't go wrong with quilting, but I am so scared of patterns. Perhaps it was because as a child I wore stripes with plaid! :shock:
Trennag, I love that quilt! I think the Seascapes line is so pretty.

Thank you!! I fell in love with the seascapes and made a crib size quilt for my mom, she loves to have a small blanket with her all the time. There are many pretty blues there you can use for your blender. I was able to find matching fabric easy for the borders.

If you go with the D9P, one easy way to get some order to your quilt is to use a consistent fabric for the pieces that will be cut in half and for the very center which is cut in quarters. Then put your other fabrics on the corners where they will be showing off their beauty and the consistent fabric serves to create a frame around them while the smaller cuts make cornerstones. (Can you tell I like organized scrappy)

I smiled when I read this, because that's what I do, too, or a simple striped fabric.

I think a D9P would look good, but have you considered doing one with the Twister template?