Orphan blocks background?
 

At the end of a local quilt show, I offered to take home the contents of an orphan blocks basket in the sale section and put them into a charity quilt top. I have a book somewhere with the instructions for squaring up all the blocks into the same size with triangles, but would like suggestions on choosing a background and how much I'll need. I expect to make a 40" x 60" quilt, and use no two blocks alike so colors range from pastels to darks to bright.

I am laughing and find it very interesting that a Math teacher would give us a problem with not very many details. In order for me to even think about what you are asking, I would need the size of the blocks you have and how many. Having a box of them doesn't tell me a lot. Squaring them up can be done in so many ways and do you want to use them squared up & then a sashing? Do you want wonky, miscellaneous sizes? A much more interesting quilt to my way of thinking. When you say you have all colors, can we see some pictures of the blocks so that we know what we are dealing with? I think I just made an F on this problem you have presented to us. lol

FYI...I am a retired accountant. Details are a must for me.

If the colours vary so much I would use black which I assume is not included in the blocks. As to how much fabric depends on size of blocks which we don't know as yet.

Retired primary teacher.

Yes I would consider using black, grey or white.

trying not to laugh, too. not enough details. why i envision "old" when someone says "orphan block" is beyond me...beige or some neutral thereof would be my first choice, as it wouldn't detract from the blocks. Black if they look amish or bright and gray/grey for a more modern look. But all this is traditional thinking...clearly need photos or more details describing the setting...i.e. on point or every other a solid or what?

Thanks for the good laugh!! Like the black or gray sashing idea.

I had a set of blocks of the month...finally used white. It looks great! Retired elementary teacher!

It depends on the colors in the blocks. Try various basic solids such as white, ecru, gray or black.

I love a neutral such as beige, or creamy off-white.

I have the book "Setting Solutions" by Sharyn Craig. The book is basically lots of ideas on what to do with BOM blocks, swap blocks etc. She give info on how to get the blocks all the same size, setting ideas, designs and colors. You can get a reasonably priced used copy on Amazon. Great reference book for your quilting library.