my last scrappy quilt was a true crumb quilt. finished 4" squares, some of which had as many as 16 pices per 4" square. some only 6-8. it was plain old scrappy but put together with a black to ground everything.

I just grab and sew.

I like both and have seen beautiful scrappies of both. I do tend to more do controlled. The FWS 30's I have worked on had as many as 50 some pieces in a 6" block, though I know of at least one block in the bunch that has 84 pieces to sew together using paper piecing to complete the 6" block. I have learned so much doing these though. I have slowed down to finish a few other things, and some life issues, but working on another block as I type.

I prefer controlled scrappy. I think the pattern pops more -- and I like to have my patterns pop.

mine are controlled scrappy. too often I have bought precuts like charms or jelly rolls because I loved them. Then when I go to use them I never bought enough for a king or queen size. So I go ahead any way and use them and add solids and scraps to stretch, and often alternate with a plain muslin block or sashing to pull all the "mess" together. works great, looks great, but I am just covering up for my mistake of miscalcualtion and i never want to over buy expensive pre cuts anyway.

I think this is critical. Small pieces work better next to each (clashing colors) than large.

I use both techniques, color families or absolutely random. When using the random method, you must trust yourself. the pieces side by side may look horrendous but when you look at the finished product, no one even sees the pieces one considered to be a poor match! That is part of the fun of creating a truly random scrappy quilt.

Total scrappy only works for me if I use some kind of consistent element. For example, I will use a consistent fabric for sashing or alternate squares. This controls and calms the scrappiness for me. Otherwise I look at the blocks and go "yuck".

We have a thread dedicated to scrappy quilts to give you some inspiration:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t135936.html
I like a bit of control, either a specific color way, or grab & sew, but a single unifying fabric repeated in each block, or sashed with a single fabric.

As mentioned, a design wall is very helpful for color distribution and/or possibly discarding those one or two blocks that you think are just too much!

I guess I do both controlled and random. I guess if it looks good to me I go with it.