My daughters best friend is graduating from high school in June and my daughter wants me to make her a quilt as a gift (so she can bring it to college with her). I bought these Amy Butler fabrics yesterday for this project:

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/produ..._quilt_top.php

PLEASE NOTE that these are not fabrics I would ever even consider buying for myself. I did a quick search online for ideas and am uninspired. Do any of you have pictures to share or links for me to go to for good quilt ideas?

Thanks so much for your assistance. I am a lover of traditional quilt patterns and Jo Morton and Kansas Troubles kinds of fabrics, so this is an entirely new and scary area for me.

Suzanne in VT

I just purchased a book that had patterns for "big"prints. It basically shows using such fabrics in rather large pieces with plain sashings. I can see why those fabrics are a challenge. You could use the fabric in fairly large squares or retangles and then just sash it with a solid color that coordinates with everything. Unless the girl is a quilter she would not have a clue and probably love the fabrics. Then you could do a simple meander if you are machine quilting of just an X through each square if you are handquilting. Those busy prints would hide a world of mistakes.

the free pattern on that site looks exciting for that fabric. I would love to do those colors. They are all me. Cannot wait to see what you create.

Since this is for a girl I would definately buy some bubble gum pink solids, maybe some lime green solids, some purple solids & I'd go with a square in a square. Put the Amy Butler fabric in the center square for the focal point. Just the first idea that came to mind.....

If you look on the site at the free patterns, how about Amy's Mid Mod quilt? I like them all, but I think that one would be great. With large prints like that you don't want to be using tiny squares.

These fabrics are great, though not what I'd buy from myself either.

They remind me of Kaffe Fassett fabrics, so maybe find a pattern designed for his fabrics.

Good luck and have fun.

I think I'd do something with big blocks...turning twenty, maybe? Or teach your daughter how and let her do it! lol

There are good patterns at quiltbug.com, there is also a book called Just can't cut it which is great for large prints.

I think it would make a great rag quilt.

This will be so pretty and girly. Don't forget the matching pillowcases, one to wear and one to wash.:)

I love the fabrics, would use them for myself

I love these fabrics! Look at her website, just above the pictures is a link for free patterns. I like the "Ginger Bliss" near the bottom. Looks quick too.

I would make a rag quilt too. I made a denim for our daughter when she went off to college. Denim will last through the abuse of the college years. Just a thought!

i love the fabric line, AB has great patterns too! interested in what pattern you choose.

The line is eerily similar to last years "Love" pattern...so, you could do the Sexy Hexy Love quilt with the Soul Blossoms Fabric.

Totally agree with these thoughts! Some solids are needed to give a "visual break".

P.S. I love Amy Butler designs.

check out the 10 minute block tutorial. You could go with a solid center and solid sashing between the blocks. I love the 10 minute block cause it goes together so quickly. you can make the starting blocks any size. I did 9" blocks and the end block was 17".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbTHlGGKMPM&NR=1

good luck, I love the fabric

Beautiful fabric. You should have no problem coming up with something. Even just different size blocks. How about a disappearing nine patch? that would be great, I think.

Disappearing 9 patch or Turning Twenty. I've see lots of Amy's fabric made into these patterns and they are stunning.

those free patterns are fab with the fabric

rita

I have made the brick path pattern with both Amy Butler fabrics and some Nicey Jane. They sew up nicely and the instructions were easy to follow.

A simple one would be "Cheaper by the Dozen"by legacy. It call for 12 FQ. I've made the "1/2 dozen" baby sized one several times. with the bigger blocks a large print looks nice.

My suggestion is to tone the fab down with black on black fav with whatever pattern you choose. I've used black so many times with fab that now buy it when on sale.

I love the fabrics. Any of the Amy Butler patterns would work, as would a Turning Twenty.

There is a group out on Flicker called "modern quilts". I think many of the simpler ones would look awesome with these fabrics. Especially those with large blocks with sashing. I think I would use white, but a darker color could work too!

I just made "Just can't cut it" It is great for large prints, ut is quick and easy!

I like those fabrics! Have you ever done a Scrappy Bargello? It's fast and fun to piece and beautiful!
Karen in La.

I did a Amy Butler/Turning Twenty for my daughter and she loved it. It really showed off the fabric.

How about a D9P? That pattern works well with large prints.

What a neat link. I wasn't familiar with it. Thanks

How about the stack and whack patterns or tube quilts? Colors could be beautiful in any of the kaleidoscope patterns.

I thought the same thing

I would add some solid colors with the prints, and do whatever design you choose...even 1 solid color, or several..it tones down the business of the florals.

If you go to her web site, there are free quilt patterns using her fabrics. Good Luck.

Here is a pic of a baby quilt I made with Amy Butler fabics

Check out the Ginger Bliss quilt on Amy Butler's page-sure looks like it features the material you bought. Pretty quilt

I would think about one of those Twisters like Gran of 6,her picture.Use those colors you were telling us about.
Connie in CO

My daughters, who are in their early 20s love that type of material. Maybe she would too!

To DoghouseMom---
Thanks for the free pattern link from Amy Butler!
I hope to one day make the Bloom Quilt using the yo-yos. Really neat! MarilynG

these would make a great obw or maybe the 10 minute block