For those who are experienced in making scrappy quilts, I'd appreciate your input on what you'd do with these. The pattern is a 6" square called "Dad's Plaids" from quilterscache. Each square uses 2 fabrics. The fabrics I have are all FQ's from Connecting Threads, most from their "Hearth and Home" collection. Here are my questions regarding the squares:

1. Would you pair up similar colors for each block (ie. light green/dark green)? Or would you use contrasting colors (ie. dark brown/light blue)?

2. Would you stick with the original block plan of using 2 colors per block? Or would you completely mix it up with a different fabric for each square and appliqued petal, enabling each block to contain 8 fabrics? If mixing it up, would you use a light/dark contrast or just "grab from the bag"?

3. Would you do the entire quilt top (queen bed size) in this pattern? Or would you be inclined to unify the quilt by using one fabric for setting squares and a border?

I've never done a scrappy with this many colors to consider. The background of the squares will be machine pieced and the petals done by needle turned applique. Thank you for whatever advice you can offer.

you might want to try doing 2 colors per 4 patch, this would highlight each individual block, otherwise, if you want a totally "scrappy" look mix them all up. If you want contrast throughout the quilt, use light and dark in each segment. Did this
help or did it make it more confusing? Conni

How about 4 fabrics per block? I think 8 would be too busy. I would use light/dark of any of the fabrics. Hope this helps.

I vote for 4 per block, using light and darks in each.

I agree, I think 8 would be too much and you would lose the block pattern that way. Using two colors per block would still be scrappy since every block will have a different 2 colors. I too would use light and dark as shown on the pattern since this will again highlight the pattern. You want to be able to see what the shapes are and I think if you do dark on dark, you won't see that.

Have fun! Can't wait to see it!!

Rachel

I think the light and darks would be pretty with 4 blocks.

Have fun and be sure to post as you start making them so we can see and enjoy.

Karen

I would go with 2 contrasting colors for each square.
You have a great bunch of fq to choose from.

I'd probably divide the fabric into 2 piles, one dark pile and one light pile. I'd pull them up at random from the 2 piles, using one dark and one light.

If it was me, I'd add a bright fabric to give it a little spice.

I agree with JJean... just pull from the 2 piles and let it be what it is.. Can't wait to see it!

A great selection of fabrics! I agree with 4 colors light and dark for contrast. I would mix up the colors (not light/dark of same color) I might even on an odd number of blocks, change up the fabrics a bit more. After the quilt top is complete it may tell you what color of border.

I am in the process of making that quilt right now. I am using a group of fat quarters that were coordinated and I have added to them. It is very scrappy, but controlled scrappy, if you know what I mean. I am doing it just as your pattern suggests, 2 colors per square. Most of my fabrics are in the medium range, so the contrast is coming from opposite colors on the color wheel, and contrast in the size of the prints, or floral and plaid, etc.... I am doing mine with hand applique so it is the project that goes with me wherever I go. You may have to do a few blocks to know the look that you want. I've done a couple that probably won't make it to the final cut, I bought new fabrics for more recent blocks that I like better than some of my first choices. If you want the pattern to shine, then you may want to narrow your fabric choices down, if you really want to use all those fabrics then the pattern may not be as obvious, which is fine as long as that is the look that you are after.

Thank you everyone for the quick feedback. All of my scrappies have been controlled as well - my avatar is one that was only red, yellow, green, blue. That's been the extent of my experience here.

I really like the idea of making a light and dark stack and letting the colors fall as they may. I think I will try this. I also like that by hand appliqueing, it will be a great take-along project. I am realistic though in knowing that it will probably take a year or more, especially since I will hand quilt it when I finish the top.

Again, thanks so much! It's a bit intimidating for me to take on a project of this type and not know exactly what it will look like when it's done. I feel more confident after reading all of your responses.

I would probably keep it at 2. I was doing something scrappy like that, and I was going to do crazy colors, but I laid it out and loved the 2 color look.

Thanks for showing us the pattern and fabric - definitely helped me visualize :D

Yep, I agree. 8 is too much and 4 is good.

OR you could make the "flower" the same color, maybe your favorite, all the way though the quilt and use diff colors for background of each block! Ooo I like that idea!

Don't ask me. I begin making a scrappy quilt controlling the blend of colors, lights and darks. Somewhere towards the end I run out of the fabrics I chose and have to begin adding more fabrics - that's when the 'fun' begins.
May in Jersey

I too like the idea of using the light and dark in each block. Be sure to post a pix as you are working on it - can't wait a year!

I separated the fabrics into lights and darks. A few were kind of in between, but by putting them in with the lighter ones, I came out with 38 in each stack. Perfect! It was much easier to visualize after doing that sorting.

8 per square is definitely too many. My eyes would go buggy on me with too much busyness. Several of you have suggested 4 colors. Clarification question: do you mean 2 colors for the background and 2 colors for the petals, or each of the four colors getting a corner of the background and a petal? In my mind I'm leaning toward the first, or just going with 2 colors per block total.

By doing the math, I think I'll need more fabric to make a queen size, but I don't know yet if I'll use setting squares or do the whole thing in these blocks. I may get yardage of a coordinating fabric and incorporate it into some of the blocks, setting squares, and border. Thank you for your patience as I think out loud here.

I guess what I need to do is just start cutting and laying out to see how it all falls. When I decide how it will all go, I'll use a separate sandwich bag for each block so I can grab and go as I need to and know I have all the right pieces together.

Again, I appreciate all of your ideas. It's been really helpful and is motivating me to take the leap and get started.