Finally have a picture of some of the 6.5" Christmas sampler blocks I have. I was thinking I'd like to make a larger center block, surround with a thin border, then a row of these blocks, row of border, row of blocks, etc. But, I need to know how big to make the center block and the borders so everything works out even. Too much thinking for my feeble brain, so maybe someone out there has a more mathmatical brain than I! Or maybe someone has a better idea for a setting. I could just join them all as is, or with sashing, I just wanted something a little different. Whaddya think???

I do like your starting blocks!! I suggest laying them out on a large table so you can try different layouts to see what you like, then figure out your center blocks, borders, etc. Easier that way.

How many total of the small blocks do you have? That will give a better idea of how to plan it out.

I just finished a quilt doing just what you are thinking about doing. What I did was made my center (which was appliqued) with a small border to equal 2 blocks across and 3 blocks down. My blocks were 8" finished, so my center with the border was 16" x 24". Then I put a row of blocks, then a 4 inch border (because two borders = one 8" block) then another row of blocks, then another border. My last border, which is not done yet, is a 12" border that will be appliqued to match the center block. If your blocks are 6" finished, you might make your center 12" x 18" (2 blocks by 3 blocks) or 18" x 24" (3 blocks by 4 blocks) plus one block in each corner. Then your borders need to be 3 inches so your next row of blocks would increase 1 block on each side. I hope this helps! If you need more clarification, just PM me!

I have 97 of them, but I'd like to make 2 quilts. I can make more blocks if need be.

Thanks very much for this info. I do have a couple more questions, so I'll PM you. (tomorrow - it's getting late and I'm going to bed!)

Sounds like Pamela has just the info you need!

I don't no about your question but I sure do like you work. Penny

Thank you but I can't take credit for all of them. I did a trade with a friend in Nova Scotia and one in The Netherlands.

your blocks are gorgeous!

Love your blocks!

I'd say start with whatever center you want and then add some sashing with the smaller blocks, stagger the sashing so it is not side by side. No one will ever notice - this idea was in a pattern at a class and it worked.

Not sure I understand "stagger the sashing so it isn't side by side". Do you mean make each row of sashing whatever width needed to make everything fit? Hope I'm not sounding too dumb, but it's a rainy day here and that affects my brain! :-(

nice