For Christmas I got a Wondercut Triangle Ruler and Tumbling Blocks pattern (my Santa listens well!). I'm not sure I understand the pattern correctly, but one-way-or-another the quilt is progressing. I'd like to make it bigger by adding on another strip or two. The pattern says to start and end with the same color strip. I don't have enough material to make the 3 more strips necessary to get back to my starting color. So what do you think? How important is it to start and end with the same color??? Thanks for your help! I really enjoy reading all the helpful hints found here - I've learned so much!

I think it will look like partial blocks on the bottom

It sounds like the instructions are written this way, so you end up with completed blocks on the ends maybe? If it doesn't bother you then go for it :D:D:D

not quilt police on duty here

If you haven't sew it together yet, could you introduce some other colors in random spots in throughout the design?

Carol,
I am sending you a PM.

It is more important for the tops of the blocks to show up than to have everything the same fabric. (Of course, my only tumbling blocks quilt is about 140+ years old and very scrappy.)

I generally use patterns as a "guideline" and I think that you can use other fabric that works with the ones you already have. I made a tumbling block quilt for hubby and just made sure that I aligned the correct color on the "staircase"

I made my tumbling blocks quilt while traveling so I call it "Tumbling Roadblocks". I did pretty good with it but after finishing it, my sister asked why I shifted one over. I did not even realize it. The last row on the bottom is "my mistake".

Many thanks for all the great ideas. After much thought I think I might be able to gather enough scraps to make three more strips. So I'm thoroughly embarassed I didn't think of this first, but very appreciative to all who took the time to reply. WIP pictures soon...hopefully!