Here are my small prints. These prints almost read solid. They aren’t solid, but if you step back and squint your eyes they look like a solid color. These prints provide the contrast of the busier large and medium size prints to really show them off. They provide a place for your eye to rest. You can use actual solids – which I sometimes like – but again, the design becomes more flat. With a small print ‘solid’ you get more ‘texture’ or interest to the quilt.
Here is another example of a quilt made with a very similar technique. This quilt was made mostly from Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane collection. Notice the variation of print sizes: small, medium, and large as well as the color variation – i.e. not all the pinks are the same shade. This quilt comes from this Off-set Square Pattern tutorial. Here is a picture of a quilt this style for boys.
Anna says
this is great Amy! and thanks Kari for having her. I love that she talks about scale and contrast, it’s great especially for beginning quilters like me. 🙂
amy smart says
How do you know I didn’t freak out? I totally freaked out. You just weren’t there to witness it. 🙂
Thanks again, Kari. (And you other nice people.) You are all very kind.
Kara@ Creations by Kara says
This is a great tutorial! Picking the fabric is always the hardest part for me. Love these tips!
Char @ Crap I've Made says
Amy’s got some serious skillz!
And, she didn’t even freak out when I told her that you and I wanted to come to her house and sew with her, Kari. He he he.
P. says
This is awesome! Your instructions are great, Amy, and your quilt is just beautiful.
Jessica says
I love quilting, it is such a great way to use up scraps of fabric from other crafting projects! Your designs are simple to follow and look lovely, thank you for inspiring me!
Tales From My Empty Nest says
I love to quilt. Your fabrics are beautiful and the pattern is so pretty. Love & blessings from NC!
Anneliese says
Such a great post! Thanks for sharing it. I just picked out fabrics for a baby-sized patchwork quilt and it was so much more difficult than I expected. I probably would have relaxed a bit about it if I’d read this first! Next time it will be easier.
Kim Walus says
Congrats Amy on another wonderful tutorial. What a fun and simple quilt for those just starting out.
barneyn says
beautiful!! thanks for sharing!!
Sena Çeyiz says
Hi! very impressive. I really liked.
Thank you for your detailed explanation.
CraftCrave says
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [07 Aug 11:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Wendy says
THIS is when I wish I knew how to thread my machine!
Rachel@oneprettything.com says
Ooh this is great! Thanks for the detailed tutorial. I’ll be linking.
Jessica says
Thank you for the help! I would love to see something about quilt binding! I’m working on completing my first quilt now and very afraid of the tears that will fall with binding and putting the batting in. 🙂
Amber says
Hi! I am new to the sewing world and am going to attempt to make this quilt. Would it be okay if I used a serger instead of a sewing machine? I have both, I just find it easier to use the serger. Thanks!
-Amber
My name is Julie and I am a paper addict. says
Fabulous! I’m not much of a seamstress – can really only sew a straight line in an emergency situation – but this really is tempting to try.
Jen Allyson says
Just started mine!!
http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2011/08/20/adventures-in-quilting/
Juline says
I just finished mine. Thanks for such a great tutorial!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julineb/6167296665/in/photostream
Anonymous says
Wonderful. Where do you buy your fabrics? Especially the big, graphic prints? thanks!
Becky says
What a wonderful quilt and great tutorial. I will put this on my to-do list. I also totally agree with your comments about quilting being an outlet… it keeps me sane when work and life events try to drive me crazy!!!!
ambercsnow says
Just finished making this quilt out of the men and boys in our family’s dress shirts. It was the design I had been trying to create in my head. When I saw this it quickly came together. It is for our due any day grandson. There r shirts from great grandpa, grandpa , dad and uncles aunts and grandma.and even one if our grandsons baby quilt fabrics is included. I wish I could post a picture so u could see what u inspired. Thx so much for sharing your creative idea!!!!
Diane Wilcox says
Love your design and will have to make it. The colors you picked are beautiful. That is my downfall…being able to pick colors. Trying to think out of the box but at times I do struggle. Glad I found your site, you will be able to help me. Thanks!!!!
Diane Wilcox says
Love your design and will have to make it. The colors you picked are beautiful. That is my downfall…being able to pick colors. Trying to think out of the box but at times I do struggle. Glad I found your site, you will be able to help me. Thanks!!!!
Simple Simon and Company says
Lovely Amy!
Jen says
How much fabric would I need to make this quilt? Half yardages? Fat quarters? It’s a beautiful quilt!
Mattie says
I going. To. Try it, this is my first quilt for my grandbaby. Think you so much.