nbushey

When laying out the top of an I spy quilt do you: 1. Have a bunch of different prints? or 2. Two blocks of a fabric many times?

LGJARN52

I always try to make each block from a different print. I also realize that collecting enough different prints can be expensive and can see the senseability in using two of the same prints scattered throughout the quilt. But it's up to each individual how they want to make their quilt. Have to checked out "I SPY QUILTS on Pinterest" for ideas?

bearisgray

People do them either way.

nbushey

Thank you.

GGKay

I do 2 prints and call the quilt I Spy/ Concentration, I go a little overboard, as I have made them for twin beds. The great-grands get them for their 6th birthday. I have put a 1 inch sashing between each block. A friend of mine bought a panel and it turned out great

QuiltE

Really depends what you want your quilt to be.
Some just want to have one of each thing ... Eg. I spy a cat! And there is only one cat to be found.

Whereas some want their quilt to help their little one learn to count. Eg. I spy three cats! The quilt may just have those three cats. And maybe even more, so that another time the child can be asked to find five. Or Whatever!

Do what works for you, and the recipient!

Aside from what "I Spy" fabric choices you make, there's so many different designs/layouts for I Spy's! Look around here on the QB and do some googles. And you'll have so many ideas floating in your mind.

Have FUN!!

bkay

I agree that each "charm" should be unique.There are multiple ways to get those unique fabrics without breaking the bank. A site that sells fat quarters of I spy fabric, is 4mt3boyz.com. Another way is to join an I Spy swap group. A third way is to use borders between rows.

I joined a swap group several years ago, but acquired enough squares to make many, many quilts, which I'm now sharing at my guild. The group has has a facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1858499157698930/). The logistics of the swaps are handled at groups.io. (That's where many of the old yahoo groups went.) They do either 10 or 11 swaps per year. When I was active the rule was quilt shop quality fabrics only. They usually do one pieced swap per year. (I've not participated in a few years, so rules may have changed.)

I've made many I spy quilts. I'll post the ones I like best.

bkay

I'll have to post later, as the files were too big.

b.zang

Let me warn you. Once you make an I Spy quilt, you will have unique fabric that begs using so you will buy more fabric to go with it and make another. Then you will trade fabric and make another one. Then you will see one that you really like and make one like it. Then you will need more unique fabric.

The one I've like most to date is the one I haven't made! I like the idea of having two of each block with the matches set on point around the outside but haven't done it. My friend makes I Spy quilts that look like a colour palette. I'd like to try that but haven't. I keep hoping each I Spy is my last.

Decide what size blocks you want before you begin collecting fabric to help ensure you don't end up with pieces too small to use.

bkay

Never mind on posting those photos. I don't want to reduce the size to fit.

My sister, the teacher, says I Spy quilts can be used to teach colors, numbers and other things.

I think the optimal age for an I Spy quilt is about 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Their little brains are just huge sponges at that age.

bkay

nlgh

An I Spy quilt with the prints or picture blocks in twos makes a good Match the Blocks game for the younger kiddos.