Has anyone done one of these? I am wondering if I can be really random in the placement of the blocks or should I plan it out before I start?

I tried sketching it with the blocks all following a pattern, but I think the random placement might be better... even IF it is "outside the box" for me!

"Outside the box" is my nature. I haven't done that pattern, but go with what appeals to YOU. That way you develop your own eye. There are folks who plan precisely and it shows in the final outcome. Others enjoy the looseness of seat-of your-pants quilts which evolve into happy outcomes.

[b]

Hi:

I made the yellow brick road and just put the yellow and blues together as I liked. It is a real easy and fun pattern to do.

Keep Quilting

ef

I have a VERY hard time being "random", but I am convinced that "yellow brick road" patterns HAVE to be random. I have probably spent HOURS trying to come up with a specific lay-out, and it just does not work as well as simple random-ness does.

Have fun learning a new skill ~ random-ness! 8)

The quilt in my avatar was with the Yellow brick road pattern. I just went random with it.

Right now I am working on hand quilting the Yellow Brick road. I went according to the pattern and used 30 fat quarters and cut them as stated. Once I had all the blocks made, I just laid them all out, then chose which one I wanted for each row. I numbered then by rows and stacked them in order. I made the blocks randomly. I am quilting them in sections. I have already added the the top and bottom borders and side border. I ended up with 11 rows so I divided it into 4 sections. This way it is easier to hand quilt. I will attach some of the blocks.
Good luck. I found it a very easy pattern.

OOOH! I love those colors! Can't wait to see it done!

I would make a comment about Yellow Brick Road, but I am sure I would just put my foot in it.

*L*

On the other hand, I just pin basted mine, it'll be quilted sometime soon (soon being a description of 'this year'). It has 100 9x9 blocks layed out 10x10. All 'random', all put together using a computer aided drawing package.

Best of luck. I hope to see your version soon.

tim in san jose

I seen on another site when they quilted the yellow brick road they go from the center of the block by the seam and sew diamond shapes in each block so some blocks are longer and some are square. I guess it makes a really cool pattern when done.

I thought that was a really good idea. I have one made just have to put it together and quilt. Quilting this way you can just eyeball instead of mark the quilt. I will let you know how easy it is when I attempt it......

I'm trying to visualize what you're saying about the quilting but what little bit of mind I have left is not wrapping around the idea. Can you or someone explain a little more how/where you're actually putting the quilt stitches? Thanks. :?

I've made a couple "yellow brick road" quilts, I love them. I've also done one in flannel it turned out really nice. One of other patterns by that designer "cheese and crackers" is also a fun quilt. marieg

It took me awhile to understand the quilting also.

You have your block and you would start quilting at the top of the block in the middle by the seam and go to the middle of the next side of the block and then to the middle of the bottom of the block and up to the center of the middle block and end at the top again. So that you would have a diamond type shape. The longer blocks would have a longer diamond in it. You could mark it or just kinda eyeball the line.

You know how all the different sizes make of one big block- But you would not be stitching the whole big block but the invd fabric blocks that make the larger block.

I hope I did not confuse you, because I think I am confused now.

I hope to try it this weekend and I will post a picture of it.

Here is another idea for you. I am hand quilting a large X in each completed block. so when it is all together the quilting lines goes at an angle each way. Then on my border I am doing straight quilting lines 2 1/2 inches apart. This was sujected to me by a woman who does machine quilting. She said the quilting would look rich, and not take away from the different sizes of blocks. If that makes sense. I will take a picture of the section I have finished and will attach in a bit. It still has the basting stitches in it!

I have made two Yellow Brick Roads, one Christmas prints and one 1930`s fabric both turned out good. I just did random and tried not to have two prints touch each other jane

Is this a commercial pattern by Terri Atkinson? I really like her patterns - I think they are the best ones on the market for accuracy and simplicity of instructions. But I haven't seen this one.

Even a MALE first time quilt maker understood her directions.

*L*

tim in san jose

I have found that men are usually very good at written and technical instruction, whereas my women students seem to learn better by watching me do it and listening to oral instruction.

Just a sweeping generalization. :mrgreen:

Yes it is one of her patterns. And I didn't realize she had others!

If you google - Yellow Brick Road Quilt - a picture if her actual pattern pops up.

I just finished a "Yellow Brick Road" Quilt. Some tips that really helped make it nice are:

-use the number of fat quarters recommended. I made sure that for each color in my quilt (I used blues, wines and greens) I had light, medium and dark values of colors. This makes the final layout pleasing to the eye, gives movement and dimension.
-select a border fabric that incorporates all colors used in the quilt blocks. A nice border fabric can 'tie' the quilt together.

-Random placement does work! When I pieced my squares, I tried to piece both light and dark fabrics in the square....not making any square all darks or all lights, etc.

-When all squares are completed, lay them out on a bed or artist wall. Make sure no one piece of fabric touches one that is exactly the same. You should have a few quilt blocks left over, so you can switch in and out as you need to. I only had to change two of my blocks around.
-When you have made your final arrangement and are happy with it, step away and squint your eyes. You should see an even display of 'light' and 'darks' around your quilt, peppered with mediums. If you have too many 'lights" or "darks" in one area, rearrange until it's pleasing to the eye.

Good luck!
Romay

I'm looking forward to seeing all of theses Yellow Brick Road quilts done. I like the pattern. Looks fun! :D

I have done many baby quilts using Yellow Brick Road.
Love that it uses fat quarters. I think that's my favorite thing to do....Fat quarter quilts.