Sampler quilts -
 

I think they are a great idea for trying different techniques and patterns -

However - I do prefer for myself that the colors of each block have something in common and that each block has something in common - such as all stars or all made from the same grid. I guess one could call it "a controlled sampler"?

How about your preferences for sampler block quilts?

There was a suggestion a while ago here on QB about this and I really liked the idea.

When you are trying out a new block or technique to see if you like it, use a group of fabrics that you keep just for this purpose. That way in a future time you can put all your trial blocks together and they will have unity in a sampler style.

Smart thinking!
peace

great idea ube

I am the same way too!

I used to think so until I made this quilt. The only commonality it has is that almost all the fabrics are batiks (there was one block that wasn't 100% batik). It was made from the batik block swap done here several years ago. The hostess did try to group them so there were some similar colors but it was hard I am sure with so many swappers using so many different fabrics. 12 of the blocks are from the swap and the remaining blocks I made from stash plus a block I had made for the swap that I rejected. I tried to utilize the colors I got but the quilt really is a hodge podge explosion of drastically different styles and colors. It is one of my most favorite quilts. I love it.
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Love the idea of using the same fabrics. I'm working on a BOM using Christmas fabrics. About 4 into it, I wish I had used about 5 different fabrics and white. I think the look would be better.

Beautiful! I can certainly see why this is a favorite!!!

Sampler quilts can be made from similar colors and so that makes them a "scrappy" sampler quilt. frequently the same fabric are used in different blocks. variety comes in the placement of the blocks and colors.

I like something to unify the samplers, as well. I remember reading that persons suggestion to try new blocks using all the same colors . (I think hers were red, white and blue.) Since then I've been gradually making a red and white sampler of the same size blocks. I'm currently making s sampler baby quilt in pink, brown and white, with the brown being the same fabric in each one.

I think this quilt is adorable and there is unity in the overall colors. The little bits of differences adds highlights and I love it.
peace

Its super, Feline fanatic! I like the extreme random-ness. Its one you could scan during a tv commercial and see something new every time! My favorites (like the Splendid Sampler I'm doing now) use all different techniques and I see that in yours, too!

I love samplers! You can vary the settings - they don't all have to be sashed (as you can see from the beautiful batik example). I have set them medallion-style, on point, with plain fabric between, etc. I also used "gradations" batik in various colors to put blocks of many colors together rainbow fashion. I like samplers, too, for practicing my machine quilting. They allow me to vary what I do in each block.

I do that with red, white, and blue. Doesn't take long to get a lap size done.

Feline Fanatic - what a great job you did putting that quilt together. I think the common factor in the quilt is that it is made of all cool colors, that all of your colors have blue in them.

I did a BOM last year and one of the blocks just didn't fit together from my perspective. So I changed it to a block I like. Now I have 12 blocks ready to put into a quilt. I like getting the projects in small amounts. It makes a project seem doable.

I can see why this is your favorite quilt! It is lovely and is one I would never get tired of looking at!

I made a sampler top two or three years ago -- still not quilted -- for the very reasons you mention; I wanted to try my hand at different blocks. The "commonality" is that each block is red and white but of different fabrics.

A friend suggested doing this with Christmas fabrics. The fabrics don't all have to match but they usually all coordinate enough to keep that Christmasy feeling in the finished quilt.

PAL, I guess that is the unifying factor in the quilt. It does have mostly cool color spectrum, except for the smattering of hot pinks and browns. I know I tried to pull colors from my stash that played nicely with the colors I got in the block swap. There was a lot of green and aqua and teal but also purple. It was a fun quilt to make, from participating in a swap (my first) to coming up with a way to get a quilt out of all those wonderful blocks from other members of this board.

I will be making other samplers, Good Lord willing. FWS is on my bucket list. I was gifted a bunch of CW repros that I plan to make it with. I also have fabrics set aside for a new sampler for my guest bedroom that will be more traditional with the same fabrics throughout and all the same size blocks set with sashing.

wow!!! very pretty!!!