Country Charmer Quilt Along Post #2

UPDATE -Monday January 21st, COUNTRY CHARMER patterns will be available at In Between Stitches again later today.  Due to the wonderful response from quilters around the world to the Quilt Along, the shop sold out of patterns over the weekend.  Thank you all so much for showing an interest in the Quilt Along!  I appreciate all of you and I'm looking forward to seeing the different blocks and quilts.  ~~Lynn

 Hello Everyone,

I've been reading blogs and emails about what colors and fabrics to select for Country Charmer. I'm feeling your quandary. Don't be afraid of using a lot of different colors.  Embrace the beauty that it brings to the blocks. Start by selecting an interesting center and pull those colors out into the rest of the block.

You probably wouldn't wear a polka dot blouse with a check or plaid skirt. (Well I might!)  But it's okay to put those combinations together in a block or in a quilt.

Each of my blocks sings their own song.  Collectively they make a beautiful chorus.  Don't forget they will be separated by a fairly wide sashing (even though I do like the secondary pattern they create.)

Here's an example of my decision making process when planning out fabrics for my block.  I started with this combination.  Whenever I remove any of the pieces, I save them in little baggies so I can use them in another block.

Then I changed the background fabric to something a little plainer.  I like this background better for this block.

Then I changed out the 12 dark little squares from green to a dark red.

These 12 little squares weren't working for me either.  To plain.

Now this is more like it.  Polka dots, checks, pleasing background

This selection works for me.  It is a combination of Civil War meets Thimbleberries meets checks.  It works.

A finished block that makes me happy.

Work with your colors on the block layout sheet.  This is the place to just play.  Another bonus of the block layout sheet is that grandchildren think it's a great puzzle.  My little 5-year-old grandson had a ball placing the pieces on the chart for me.  It's a fabulous introduction to geometry.

I hope this helps when it comes to fabric selection.  You will know it when you "nailed" the block.  Not all of them will be a masterpiece, but they can make beautiful music together.

Soon,
Lynn

P.S. An extra big thank you to Quilt Sue for designing the County Charmer Quilt Along button for me.  I absolutely love it!  Another extra big thank you to Lesley the Cuddle Quilter for setting up the Flickr Country Charmer page HERE.  I couldn't have done this without your help.  You girls rock!