When making a controlled scrappy quilt......
 

Is there a certain number of different fabrics you like to use, almost like a formula or your preference? I have used 9 before and that worked out well. Sometimes when there are MANY fabrics, the result looks almost too busy to me. Would appreciate you input/experience. THX

I use a colour group for my controlled scrappies. I did one using all browns and creams, and another using blues and purples, they are a little busy but at least I used up my scraps. I still find it difficult to do all out scrappy, but the one I did do I am happy with
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t221286.html

To me a scrappy quilt isn't a truly a scrappy unless it has many, many fabrics....whether in one color family or several. A blue quilt with, say, 8, or, 9, or 10 fabrics is ....a pretty blue quilt, not a scrappy, in my world.

I'm talking 40/50/60+ fabrics = a scrappy for me! :D

Jan in VA

When I first started making scrappy quilts I used fewer colors but many different fabrics. Now I use many fabrics and many colors. Take a look at the free patterns and quilt examples on the website Quiltville.com. You'll see lots of examples of scrappy quilts.

Once I was watching "Simply Quilts" and the woman was making a scrappy quilt, and she put her scraps in a paper bag, shook it up and used what came out. The only time she would put one back was if it was a piece of the same fabric. So when it comes to scrappy - anything goes.

I'm making controlled scrappy log cabin blocks and I need light and dark fabrics. I use lots of different fabrics. Here's a picture
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I agree with Jan in VA I have a plastic bucket with a lid put everything in there and when it's full I shake it and sew and see what happens - different shapes and size, to be honest it has taken many years to become so 'free' - I just have fun with them

Controlled scrappy I understand. Scrappy formula for fabric placement is an oxymoron to me, at least past the placement of light next to dark. The more different fabrics, the better.

I like scrappy quilts. the more fabrics and color the better.

I use lots and lots. Like Aneal, what I control is value and color families. I never use the paper bag method. I want to control what goes where. My next scrappy on the plan is RWB, on a pattern of my own.