I have enough scrap fabrics now to start making my blocks, I am making an Ohio star pattern. My question is this, when using a plain background to show off the stars, can I use a solid fabric eg. Homespun or a Seeded Calico or should I use a fabric which has a very small print or pattern on it?
I have only one lady friend living near me who quilts and when I asked her about this she said never put a plain fabric for the back ground, because this is too plain and boring. I can see her point but I think this might be just her own preference. I rather like the idea of a plain background fabric to show off each of the different fabrics in the blocks. I am thinking a cream background so that my darker stars will pop out.
I am using scraps for the stars but would like to use only one fabric for all of the background area.
Would love to hear please, what everyone else does/has done?

Many thanks
Gal

Hi Gal
It is personal preference...I personally never use homespun (solid/plains) and don't even own any! LOL

It depends what look you like - to me a solid background looks much more antiquey/old.

I like tone on tones - (eg small print!)

My advice - if you like it go with it, try your fabric against some solids and some not and go with what you like!
Hope this helps
Kylie

Hi Gal

I love the Ohio star - there's something so cheerful about stars I think.

I think both options you are considering will work fine. You can even do a bit of both, if you want, and use a plain fabric and a small print of the same tone in alternating blocks. I'm doing that in the tumbling spools scrap quilt I'm making at the moment and it breaks up the background just a little.

For another alternative I did an Ohio star with a patterned fabric in the corners. There's a picture on my blog here http://quiltthinking.wordpress.com/tag/ohio-star/

If you want to experiment, make up a few blocks and post pictures here and we can all tell you what we think. I'm sure we'll all have different points of view and then the ball will be back in your court to make the decision :-)

Good luck!

there really are no quilt police, and you can use anything you want...if you like it use it, it's your quilt...if you make a practice block and decide you don't like it, then at least you've given it a try...if you make a practice block and love it...well, there you go...
i love working with homespuns, flannels, solids, prints...there is so much variety and a solid does not mean boring...if you don't believe me look at some Amish quilts...they are very bold and dramatic with great sparkle...and made with solids, not prints.
make the quilt your quilt and enjoy the process...
but when in doubt...make a practice block and see.

I have made a couple of Ohio Star quilts. I used plain unbleached muslin in one of them, the stars were in different blues. and it looked very old fashioned. the other was done in reds, and I used a white on white background. The choice is up to you. Just decide what look you want. and go for it. Will be waiting for pictures! :-D

Look on the internet at different star quilts and see what kind of background you like when you see them all put together.
Carol B

I never use a solid unless it is black. There are so many micro print solids out there that it would add another point of interest to your quilt to use one. If you are going to do very heavy quilting and that will be a focal of your quilt, then a solid may compliment the quilting.

It really is personal preference. I use solid fabric to set off whatever design is in the center of the block-and they have used some really bright prints for the center, just me tho. I have made a few things for myself, in my bedroom star wall hanging runner for the dresser and two table toppers all in solid colors-more amish looking and that was my goal.

Hi Gal,
I like solids if you are going to hand quilt b/c they really show off the quilting stitches.
I also think it makes the stars pop.

I tend to like simpler things and have to have places for my eyes to "rest" on a quilt or my immediate reaction to it is negative. I don't use a lot of solids but I do use things that look like solids from more than a few feet away. I use solids when and where I want to. It's my quilt and it's going to suit me. If you think you'll like the solid background, do it and don't look back.

There are no 'rules', well except 1/4", in quilting - so use the plain fabric if you want!

Totally agree, my first quilt was a sampler with muslin background. I say go for it. No quilt police here.

I have never heard not to use solids. I don't use them that often, but if I liked the look I definitely would.

I love 30's prints, and I love to use a solid against them. I think it makes them pop out more. I use white sheets often as a background fabric, or a solid colored sheet. (200 count all cotton) I machine quilt- I know that sheets are a no-no for hand quilting, because they are too dense. I find that they hold up really well in a quilt for a child- one that might be washed a hundred times in its life.

I agree!

If you like it, we are going to like it too.
If you don't like it, we are probably going to like it anyway.

I think using a solid background would be great. It will make the stars stand out. I say, go for it.

I like solids and prints that "read" as solid for backgrounds. It gives your eyes something soothing to rest on and helps prevent pattern overload.

It's all in how you want it to look. I very rarely buy any solids.

Whatever you like is what you should use. I've used solids, muslin, small patterns and tone on tone. Don't let anyone ever tell you one of your quilts is "boring". Every quilt is unique and beautiful. Beauty or boredom is in the eye of the beholder.

Thankyou all for your great suggestions and wonderful help as usual you all come up with invaluable advise,(I SO LOVE THIS BOARD) I like the idea of 'rest for the eye' areas, and yes I am going to hand quilt, I use scraps mostly and I like the more traditional blocks. I feel a lot more confident now about making my choices, thank you all heaps!!!!!!

Gal

Your choice!! But there is no wrong answer. Each choice will give you a different quilt.

(this is why we all have lists of quilts we all want to make - right girls (and boys!!)?)

Make a block of each and see how you would like it and then do what you like. not someone else's opinion. Solids are OK to use for background. Some want a more muted look. but do what you would like and enjoy in YOUR quilt

I love that quilt...and the idea of switching between plain & printed for the backgrounds looks AWESOME!!!

I think you should do what your heart tells you to do. It will be beautiful either way.

Mish :0)

The Random Ohio, is exactly what I was imagining, thanks so much it is great to see how it would look. I love that all the blocks can be made from different fabrics which suits my limited scrappy stash!! Thanks again to everyone!

Gal

have fun

I agree with the other comments. There is no wrong way. Either way you are a winner. Remember you are the judge.

I think solids can be fine in a quilt made for a room with modern decor. Fussy prints don't seem appropriate. I'm looking at a pattern with a solid white background with multi-colored small squares and half-squares scattered to give the look of confetti or little stars on the white background. All solid fabrics.

I think solids can be fine in a quilt made for a room with modern decor. Fussy prints don't seem appropriate. I'm looking at a pattern with a solid white background with multi-colored small squares and half-squares scattered to give the look of confetti or little stars on the white background. All solid fabrics.

Why don't you lay out the star block pieces on top of both the background fabrics and 'preview' them to see which you find more appropriate? My motto is, it's YOUR quilt, do what YOU like... even if it's wrong! LOL!

I've used plain muslin (to showcase applique blocks) or to use as background in blocks. But, I prefer a good solid cotton or tone-on-tone print. They're great to use for showcasing quilting.

Personally I prefer to use a mottled or tone on tone (think Moda Marbles/Michael Miller Crystal/etc. for the background in blocks. Solid solids tend to read a bit "flat" for my taste. <G>
But it is your quilt, you can use whatever you like for the background.

If you can get a few different backgrounds that would be options, check several different of your scrappy fabrics on each background. Take a digital picture of each. Check it on your computer screen. Also check a bit later to see if you have changed your mind.

Remember that you will be using quite a bit of background, you don't want to get bored by it. <G>

Pati, in Phx

I love solids and I hope to someday make an all solid Amish type quilt.

I like to use solids to set off my pattern. I had a lady tell me that using solids were too old fashioned.
I tried my darnnest to try to put a poinsettia block together recently using some prints with the main color. Did not like it at all. I went back to the red solid and muslin.

I think a lot depends upon your eye for color matching also. I am not good at this at all. But can put fabrics together using the solids.

Bottom line use fabrics you like.

Just make sure that the color of your background fabric fits the colors you use in your stars. Like using autumn colors in your stars and white background - looks much better with cream or tan as a background. Personal choice would dictate whether you choose a solid material or one that "reads" like a solid but isn't. I rarely use a solid color, preferring marbles for the interest the slight variations in color adds to a quilt.

Just have fun! The only person you really have to please is yourself!

All I can say is that I did a scrap quilt this weekend at retreat. I used a very pale beige floral print thinking it would add interest. WRONG!!! The blocks are so busy with no place for your eye to rest...I really hate it and I'll probably never put them together...:-( A LOT of work for an ugly quilt!

I'm no "expert" but I think solids are more difficult to work with than those with some texture. But for those that can pull it off they can look fantastic, I think the value of the color is the key to success.

I say use what you like, I have always had a eye for color, and if a solid fits. use it, things can look to busy some times. God bless. Penny