ideas for novelty prints

Haven't had time to make a quilt in a couple of years, but a checkerboard pattern comes to mind using the prints and a solid color. You could use a solid to match up your bedroom and use BIG squares to use up a LOT of your print cloth! HTH Barbara in FL

An Irish Chain- single, double, or triple- would show them off very well. A single Irish Chain is pretty much alternating 9 patches with solid squares- quick and easy. The ever popular I Spy in an attic window setting or use them in a Log Cabin with a large center square and maybe bright solids, batiks or tone-on-tones surrounding them with just a few rounds of logs. Or a simple 8 pointed star with the novelties in the center square and brights for the star points. Man, there's a jillion ways to use them! I'd think the main thing is to use simple blocks with larger pieces so you can showcase them instead of having them all chopped up.

Have fun- the quilt will be cheery and delightful! I can hardly wait to see pics of what you decided to do with the novelties. ;-)

Leslie and Barbara offered great patterns to use ... and I'd like to add that if you REALLY want to use up your novelties, make a reversible quilt with the patterns they suggested. Nine patch or Sawtooth Star on one side, Irish chain on the other. If you're planning to machine quilt, you can use a stipple or meander so both sides look lovely (and don't have to worry about how the quilting motifs on one side will look on the other). Then, when you feel the need for a quick "spice-up" in your bedroom decor, you can just flip the quilt over!! :)

I think the Turning Twenty (original) would also look lovely and would use up your stash ... or perhaps you could use Attic Windows. There's oodles of patterns out there that would lend themselves to using up your stash AND having a gorgeous quilt on your bed!!

Also, you could always put together a quick lap-sized quilt for your QI (if you have one) or to use on picnics! It could be a really good excuse to get outside (when it warms up, of course) and have a nice lunch with a good friend or loved one!!

Best of luck!! :)

Hugs!!

-- Connie :)

The 'disappearing' 9-patch is a good way to use up novelties without losing any of the design feature of the print. The 4 corner squares of the 9-patch would remain intact after slicing through the others - sew up 9patch blocks using your 4" novelty fabrics in the corner placements and any other fabrics squares for the other 5 positions (I have been experimenting with using the same fabric in the centre position) and I quite like the effect this produces. It is fun to play with this design however fabrics are positioned before slicing up the blocks and it is another great one to use up scraps. The 5 pieces that make up the centre section of the 9patch could also be made up using rectangles (for a skinnier slice) and a smaller square cut according to measurement required (width of the rectangles)...jennellh

OR: if you want to achieve the opposite effect, and use them for their bright colours, but not to see the print in its entirety, (because it might look un-adult >gAn Irish Chain- single, double, or triple- would show them off very well. A

Warm wishes

is a cute and fun pattern... quick too! Would let you really highlight those noveltys! Another idea is to use them for pillowcases...

Howdy!

"short of giving it away" -- well, when you get to that point, you have our addresses, right?

I like some of the simple patterns used > I have a serious weakness for novelty prints, although I am trying to

I have made a snowball quilt top which highlights each print lovely. You can make the block whatever size that will fit your prints. Then on the back, do the squares or 9 patch.

Hanne...I just found this myself and hope it is an answer to all the bright fabrics I love to buy ! Mary

"Hanne Gottliebsen" ...

I love all those ideas Leslie! I would even add the ever popular "Turning Twenty" or Turning Twenty Again...or even...dare I say it??? ...the even more popular (but not one of my faves) Yellow Brick Road patterns. Those all use large chunks of fabric and if you used enough novelties...they would all go together quite well.

Amish Diamond is an excellent pattern to use novelty stuff in the center square.

makes a cute baby quilt of another and has plenty of room for mixing and matching colors. As you may tell, it's one of my favorites.

I really like the "Just Can't Cut It" pattern for working with novelties or large print fabric. You can find it at www.allwashedupquilts.c= om =2E Their "5 and Dime" pattern is lots of fun, too. I made two quilt tops, from cutting to assembly, in one day using the "Just Can't Cut It" pattern. Another pattern idea would be the "Take Five" pattern from

That's another fun, simple pattern with large blocks that help highlight cute novelty prints.

NAYY, JoyceG in WA (so busy working at the LQS that I have little time to quilt lately!)

I have the same love of novelties and have found some possibilities. Here's a short list just off the top of my head. There are more, but it's late and I must go to bed so I can work in the morning.

Center for Dewey Block, Morning Star, or any other block with a large center section. Alternate block between pieced blocks A framed square--like in my Pebbles and Bam Bam throw at Webshots Over-sized simple blocks work well. Check out my oversized Fun Patch infant quilt at Webshots. Debra in VA See my quilts at:

Kate,

This is really cute. I guess that even if I used all different fabrics instead of the birds, it would still work, particularly if I kept the frame/background pieces the same all over the quilt. I kind of like how it makes for a little bit of an optical trick.

Thanks! Hanne

Replying to myself here.

Thanks everybody, I can't believe so many great ideas. I'll definitely store them all. I particularly like the reversible quilt idea. I will be machine quilting this one, so no problem with the extra seams.

And I can't find it now, but someone suggested that one quilt might empty my stash of novelties - fat (quarter) chance! :-)

Thanks again!

Hanne > I have a serious weakness for novelty prints, although I am trying to

Oh, I have this problem Big Time! I have collected sewing themes and romance and construction workers and Jim Shore sea scape and drive-in movie, ... I have found a pattern that I think I will use because it allows for different sizes, and portrait and landscape differences. It is called "All About Me" by Atkinson Designs. I don't know when I will get to start on it, as I have many other projects planned ahead of it. But I will let everyone know when I get there. Debra in Idaho

Fat chance is right!! I have SEEN Hanne in action at the LQS. ;) PAT

These are a passion of mine, as well. I've collected lots of themes, but over time I've found a few must be favorites since I have so many. I've got tons of fruits and vegetables and plan to either make a "jar" quilt where they are cut in the shape of a jar and a grey lid is added. Another possibility I'm considering is a farmers market quilt where an area of produce is surrounded by a wood print to make them look like boxed veggies.

I've also got lots and lots of leaves, tea and coffee and cats. The reversible quilt is one I plan to do with leaves so I can have one side as autumn and the other as greener spring/summer. I've made one reversible comforter that was Santa on one side and Easter on the other. And then there's the childhood prints, oriental themes, boyhood themes............... Oh well, I've already got a DGD and a DGS on the way. The girlie has a fairy quilt in progress so I'm guessing the boy will have sports. Good luck deciding! Moni ---- Posted via Pronews.com - Premium Corporate Usenet News Provider ----

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