Good Morning btw everyone.. Sew.. :P Here is my problem. I decided to try making a new block this morning. It is Army Star and I found it at http://www.quilterscache.com

The picture of the pattern shows that it is made using five prints. So I picked five prints that I liked together..however once I cut every thing out and started sewing and placed the blocks the fabrics just didnt look right. Should I stop and rewind..or will it all look better once its completely sewn together? I welcome all opinions and suggestions thanks for taking the time to help me :)

The top point of your center star is upside down. That might make a difference! lol

I would go ahead and put it together and see how you feel. :) You've made it this far.

I think you need more contrast. Too many of the fabrics are in black and brown and grey tones that merge together, and at least a couple of the textures are very similar. Try starting over with a different focus fabric that has several colors in it, then choose fabrics that pick up those colors. Also it helps a lot to have a small amount of a "deep dark" fabric and "light bright" fabric in the block.

The bright yellow of the cutting mat peeking through actually livens up the block. Try changing out the golds and browns with brighter versions of yellow.

I agree with Prism- but at this point I would go ahead and finish it as a practice block :lol:

OOps about the upside down block.. I didnt catch that thank you.. and I will take the advices to finish off the block as a practice block and then go back and choose my fabrics again as suggested.

Thanks so much ladies :)

I think it's times like this when EQ would come in handy, because then you could audition your block into a full quilt.

I also, think the contrast is missing as the colors are too similar in shades. I'm thinking the 2 paisley type prints don't allow for the detail to come out...I'd switch one of those out with a lighter shade along that line.

I like this color combination. Not a lot of contrast but I think it will look really good finished in a quilt.

I really like it too. I think it'd look great when its all done (except for that one flipped block. tee hee) If I switched anything it'd be that paisley, but I really think it looks good as is. Finish the block then decide if you like it.

It's nice if you want a more monotone look to it..if not replace one or 2 with a brighter choice, like the star points or the black paisley or the brown paisley..cut out little pieces and place them over what you have: I have done that before and it helps me...

I agree with greensleeves, I think these colors are stunning and if you carry out your theme it will be a great looking quilt.

Im not familiar with what EQ is unless we are talking about the online roleplaying game..haha...which Im sure we are not. Can you give me a lil more info on what EQ is?

I'm not proficiient in it, but I've got the software and have tinkered with it a bit.

You can design your own quilt's on the computer and put in your fabric colors and make different block designs, and rotate your blocks to see the differences the placing and colors make.

I'm sure there are more experienced users of it that could chime in and explain it better....but that's what I like about it when I did play around with it....it was amazing to see how different the quilt would look by changing one color or rortating a block or adding sashing.

Hope I made sense..lol.

EQ is Electric Quilt --- now in version 7. It's a software program that allows you to play with designs and fabrics. You can even scan your own fabric, and place it in the design....so you can see what it will look like before cutting out. Do a search on Google and you'll see examples.

I like the block, and your fabric, but I'm with the others, you need more contrast.....or more of a difference in the two patterns of fabric.

Thanks ladies I will Google the Electric Quilt software and maybe if Im really really lucky I can get Santa to run out and buy it for me :P

OHHH, now there's an idea...still time for the elves to get one last gift!

Ditto! You need more contrast.

It will look fine once sewed together.

My vote, finish this block, then photograph it if you can, and use your computer to multiply it and audition what it would look like as a quilt. If it still looks too blah for you, then change fabrics for more contrast. But honestly, I like it now. A big fault of my quilts in the past was the color schemes lacking pazzazz, so I'm wary of this too.

I love your block :D
If you want a calm quilt, use this combination, if you want one that pops, add a lighter fabric to the mix, like in the block at quilters cache :D:D:D

I think that big paisley is kind of wasted in this block. It would be smashing as your last border though to pull it together.

I really like your colors. This will be great for a masculine quilt.

I think it would make an encredible quilt to be used as a bedspread. Looks rich and masculine.

Leave colors as they are .... a muted blend of colors is soothing!

I agree that some contrasting lighter color is needed. Maybe
a cream/solid or nearly solid.

I paper piece an Army Star block nearly every day (have a million quilts to make). I like your block. I've never made mine with prints like that so you've topped someone who does it daily. That's pretty cool.

I don't use quilterscache's pattern. I use the version in Blockbase. It creates an X in the repeat and I don't have to draft my own pp pattern. Army Star blanket patterns have been in a couple mags this year and they use the same type of pattern as found on quilterscache.

It's also a good block for fussy cutting due to the squares.

You might be interested in the Soldier's Star block. It was contributed by Carol Hopkins to the current 100 Blocks magazine issue. It's a lovely block but for the love of Pete, all random people who read this, do not make this block for a Marine! Thank you. My public service message for the day. There is a beautiful Marine Corps block over at quilterscache.

There's also a cute pattern available online called Army Wife. Keep posting pix. I like seeing others take on blocks I make. Fun.

Have you considered fussy cutting the two largest prints?

My suggestion is to stay with smaller prints when you are going to cut small pieces - like triangles. As you can see with the paisley fabric - which is gorgeous, by the way - when you cut it up, there are too many different looking pieces. The paisley would be better in a large spot. I know the idea in my head but probably am not wording it correctly, hope I didn't confuse you.

I like it the way it is. Once you add more blocks, you'll see all the colors come through. It's a nice combo.

Turn the top points of the star around to complete the star. Not a lot of contrast, but stitch it together then evaluate if you like it. It does have lots of possibilities.

I like the block the way it is. Yes I would also audition one light fabric with a goodly print as the other fabrics are.

The more fabrics = the better.

I am wondering if you switched the paisley with the grey or blue (not sure which it is) if it might look better. I would try that too. It might make a difference. It is a nice block

OOps! Went and looked again. Now I am thinking your smaller paisley and large paisley are too near the same fabrics. Maybe add a more solid black or a lighter color in place of one of those. Maybe try a cream color.

I think you would like these colors if you would just make the center block on the outside edges the light grey color instead of the floral. Might lay some pieces on top of what you have done and see what you think.

I did something similar, would you believe, with 3 of the same fabrics you have there. I liked it at first but now I feel there wasn't enough contrast between the darker paisleys and the pattern gets lost from a distance. It's all a matter of want you want at the end.
Mary
ps. Merry Christmas!( no one is up yet at my house.)

I really like the look of this block. I enjoy the colors; they blend together and I like that. If it were mine (wishes) I would continue at least with a lap size and surely go on to a larger quilt. I think it would be just beautiful.

turn the end pieces with the dark material towards the inside and see how that works and fix you upside down piece

If you used a brighter gold for the star points it would pop.

I AGREE. A little white, or gray/purple. Contrast, contrast, contrast.

I think the problem may be the "value" of your large print material. Although it's my favorite of the fabrics.

you might change your corner blocks move left top to the right bottom and right bottom to the top left