Too much money!
 

I am used to collecting scraps from clothing to make quilts but this Christmas I was given $200 in gift certificates for quilting. I want to buy some fancy fabric and make a quilt that is all matchy-matchy. Only problem is I have so much freedom I dont know what pattern to make! Ideas?

lol-just go have fun .if you were closer I would go shopping with you.

The possibilities are endless! Maybe go in to your LQS and see if there is one there you really love. If there is they should have the pattern available! If you don't find one there, go home and google quilt images and try to find one!
Have fun!

Experiment with fabrics you haven't had the opportunity to use before---maybe batiks, brights, etc. Just be careful, they're addictive. Maybe use part of it to get a book with LOTS of patterns.

Look at the quilts in this board, lots of ideas to pick from.

The creme brulee patttern and wagon wheels by buggy barn are two that have been posted on here that I love, might want to search them out!

If you have any bookmarked from the board, look at those first.

Go to this website and you will find all kinds of patterns. http://www.quilterscache.com/Alphabe...stPageA_F.html

I agree that going to a local quilt shop and looking around is the way to go. Most LQSs have quilts on display and you'll get a better idea of what you'd like. Have fun spending all that money!

Go to Clothworks website, and look at their collections with free patterns. Or to Windham which also has beautiful fabric lines and suggested patterns. Or to Kaufman which has the same. Mary Koval and Robyn Pandolph do beautiful collections.
Lucky you!

Ever thought of buying a kit you really like. Many online placed and quilt stores have them.

I am a scrap quilter too, I would probly have to buy a kit or hit the remenent tables, I could get a load of scraps for 200 bucks, of perhaps some notions I have wanted .

There has got to be something you always wanted to make. Now's the time!

Just have fun!

I understand your problem. I get that way when I'm in a large store with a lot of choices! Pick a quilt you like in a magazine maybe and then shop for that....That would help me with my "overwhelmed" feeling. Have fun whatever you decide!

Some LQS make up their own kits, so if you find a quilt you love - they may have it in a kit for you - lots of fabrics@!

You should go to a couple of different quilt shops and see what is hanging around. I am sure one will inspire you. I would recommend purchasing a kit. Sometimes it is nice when the fabric is all together and ready for you to cut and sew!! Have fun! I am green with envy.

Wow! Have fun with the shopping. I would definitely look online at a lot of websites. Shops online are having great bargains at this time. Plus Hancocks is having great sales, too, online and at the stores. Not everyone is near a LQS and you can get good quality fabric at Hancocks and Hobby Lobby and at the Sew n Vac stores, also.

Maybe find some fabric you just love/ have to have and then let it talk to you as to what pattern to make. Like the 30s fabrics have certain patterns you expect to see- Dresden plate , etc... Civil war fabric has certain blocks ... what ever you decide be sure and keep us posted :)

Yellow Brick Road
 

6 fat quarters, border and backing, TADA!! It's a quick and easy pattern too. Add more fat quarters for bigger quilts

I'd start going thru some patterns and usually 1 or 2 will just grab your attention and you know you'd like to make them. Have fun picking out your fabrics and making your quilt.

Sometimes when my DD and I have a little cash for a shopping spree we go out early and do a sort of reconnaissance mission looking at several shops and the stuff we want. Then we have lunch and make our decisions, go back and spend the cash. Enjoy your shopping spree!

Take your time and savor the shopping before you choose something. If I was given that amount of money, I would look for a bom of the month class at my LQS, that way I would enjoy the gift for all 12 months.

Too much money. How funny! Never thought that was possible.

What a fun dilemma to have! Happy shopping!

take a class
 

If I had money for quilting, I would take a class on a new technique or color choice. Such a treat!

Congratulations on your gift.
Make something SPECIAL just for you.
J J

I would use the money to buy a good second hand machine or serger. That's a lot to spend on patterns or fabric.

Is there something you have always wanted to do?

My dream, if I had $200 would be to make an orange and purple bargello.

what abot a fancy log cabin or trip around the world, then you can also get your monies worth, just have fun

I'm so happy that you get to go buy fabric!! I would go to your LQS and see if they have a pattern or book with some thing you would like to do in it. Then, once you pick that, you can start on your fabrics!!! :) Have fun shopping!!!! :)

I would go to the library and go thru every quilting book they have and find a pattern I absolutely love and buy the fabric for that quilt.

Just take your time shop around you'll know when it's the right fabric for you!!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!! Happy New Years!!!!!

just take your time and check out patterns on the internet or at a quilting store see what strikes your fancy!!

You're right, sometimes too many choices can be a problem, but seek out a LQS, see what they have to offer and I'm sure they will guide you in the right direction.

I can totally relate to your situation. When I retired from teaching last year, I was given a $200 gift certificate to a quilt shop. Wow, was I ever amazed! Now, like you, I want to use it wisely. I've decided to use the money to buy the supplies to make the quilt for our bed. That way I will have something special to show for the gift from these special people with whom I worked for many years. If there is any left over, I will buy something for my studio.
The problem I have now is that the shop where the certificate was purchased is on the island where the person who got it lives. She did it there because she wants me to come visit her. I appreciate the sweet thought, but I have to make a whole day of the shopping because of the ferry ride both ways and the visiting time, which I will enjoy. I've been to the shop once and it has a wealth of fabric. I'm thinking I will call the shop ahead of time to be sure they have the fabric in the amounts I need. I"ve done the quilt in EQ and now how much I need of each of six fabrics, but haven't actually picked a line of fabric yet. That's a project for the new year.

I hope you have fun spending your money. As others have said, be sure to let us know what you decide.

Go to your LQS, there are some wonderful teachers and patterns. This will get your thoughts going. I know of several really wonderful shops with great teachers in your area. Have fun and create a master piece.

I bought a quilt magazine titled 100 quilt blocks volume 4. There is a pattern called Tumbling Blocks. You use light and dark squares. When a square is done it looks a lot like Log Cabin. I turned the squares around and did a Barn raising style but you can do this one anyway. It went a long way in helping me to get the hang of Trip Around the World.

What a lovely dilemma to have (smile). Take a good friend and go have lunch and a lovely exploring day. Enjoy this problem (laughter).