I've only done one scrappy quilt so far, the mystery train one on this board. I was pretty controlling as to which fabrics went next to each other in each 9-patch. Tried to keep a good variety of colors and values in each block. Like how it turned out. Still need to add final border to get it the size I want. Other projects have demanded priority over finishing that one as it is for me.

I use as many as fits. For a controlled scrappy I may choose- say four colors- but there are often over 200 fabrics represented. My avatar is a good representation of what I am talking about. I mostly do scrappy - I don't have yards of anything. The little bits I have are very numerous :). The challenge is to use as many as possible for me. Also note: I have never done a string quilt or anything that truly scrappy. I prefer a controlled color palette. As I get even older - that may well change!

I like controlled scrappy quilts. I also like totally scrappy. Using any and all fabrics and colors. They always come out great if enough colors are used. To me the purpose of scrappies is to use up leftover fabric scraps.

I really like your quilts, especially the last one! Beautiful!

Irish Chain Quilt Pattern
 

Go to Missouri Star Quilts.com and watch the tutorial for the Irish Chain instructions. It's a very easy pattern. I love it too and have it on my list to make.:)

I'm glad to learn the definition of a scrappy quilt. I didn't know there had to be so many different colors and fabrics to qualify. I thought a scrappy quilt was one made from scraps. Jan, you are so mischievous. You would drive the judges crazy counting fabrics. I love it.

I have done controlled scrappy-light blue, dark blue but lots of different fabrics. I have also done scrappy quilts by taking a piece out of a bag at random. Initially the bag method made me nervous but the end result was amazing so now I am comfotrable with it. I use 2 bags one for lights and one for darks and switch back and forth.

I once did a quilt with 125 fabrics, yet I don't consider it scrappy. There were 24 blocks and 5 values. I used cool greens and purples. I had 25 (just in case one didn't work) fabrics of each value. [ATTACH=CONFIG]417429[/ATTACH]
There are 8 blocks in each panel and made to look like a triptic with the dividing bars. At a retreat I watched a friend pick each of the pieces for each block. I decided there had to be an easier way. So I cut one of each of the pieces from all 25 of the fabrics that matched that value. Arranged them on a design wall, so they were pleasantly arranged. The pattern is an unpublised, non-copyrighted pattern. It doesn't have a name. None of the quarter circles have the same radius and the seams are not intended to meet. I think it would have been improved if the radius had been more different. This is an advanced level pattern.

This is one of my favorite quilts. I'll probably never to it again.

Many! I am working on a full size and each block calls for seven different fabrics to make it pop. I have seven different blocks done and although there are some duplicates, there are no duplicates in the same location on any two. By the time this one is finished it will have at least 100 different fabrics. Unlike petthefabric, I call mine scrappy! (But I see what you mean- when it is very controlled its just a pattern with lots of fabrics- yours is fantastically beautiful!)
For scrappies without a complex block, just keep adding them in! My daughter has ordered a blue scrappy, just squares. We have about 35 blues so far and it is nowhere near enough, so she asked me to add greens and purples too :-)

Love, love this quilt. You did and incredible job. Colors and pattern is AWESOME!