Paper bag method

I saw a quilting video on you tube about reaching into a paper bag. (I can't find it so if anyone can post one I would love you forever lol) Anyway I'm making the three dudes and I'm driving myself bonkers by matching these forty fabrics up. I have all the four strips together but I feel like I'm getting anal about matching the other block on top up because they all look the same to me.I did mix lights, darks and mediums, but putting the other block on top is making me nervous.

So do you like the paper bag method or is this not the best time to use it?

Oh it's a hoffman purple batik pack.

Lorie

I've used the paperbag method and it came out fine on the quilt I used it with.
I did the same thing, driving myself crazy with matching and over and over again trying blocks together.
So I asked the ladies and gents on here and I did as they told me........put everything in a paperbag and take them out one by one.....

Have fun with your project!!!!
Oh and don't forget to show us pictures.......we Love pictures!!!!!

I believe I saw the same video, but have no idea which one it was. Klasien said it best.

Another great way is to pick the one that's the most "unlikely" in your mind....Yes, i'm a "wild spirit" so i have no problem doing something like that...LOL
But it works....:)

Thanks girls! I read a couple of web sites looking this up and several people used the word anal too. lol. But most said just go for the random look. So I think I will try it. I want to finish four quilts by Christmas for my grand children. Thier great grand mother made quilts for everyone in the family but she passed before they were born. So this is a labor of love. I want thier mom to say grandma made this for you. :)

Lorie

What's the paper bag method??? The only video that comes to mind is one of Jenny's where she mentions putting squares in a paper bag (I believe it was the bow tie tutorial) but I just thought she was storing them there as she makes them working on other projects and this one by Eleanor Burns "Tossed D9P" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfIAmgM8yd0 Is this the concept or is there more to it? Very interesting...

It will help you get over the fear of things not matching. If you want a truly boring quilt, make sure all your colors match. If you want an interesting quilt, you need for color and pattern to contrast with each other. It used to be hard for me to put purple and orange next to each other, but now I know they are naturals because they are across from each other on the color wheel. Mix it up!!!!

Oh m gosh Paula that was the one! But i'm going to try it with the dudes.

I'm going to do that Bubby! One day I'll try and make one of the beautiful quilts I see here. I have to get over this first. lol

Lorie

Hee hee you love me forever... Can't wait to see your 3 Dudes quilt, Happy quilting!

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Originally Posted by Hulamoon

I saw a quilting video on you tube about reaching into a paper bag. (I can't find it so if anyone can post one I would love you forever lol) Anyway I'm making the three dudes and I'm driving myself bonkers by matching these forty fabrics up. I have all the four strips together but I feel like I'm getting anal about matching the other block on top up because they all look the same to me.I did mix lights, darks and mediums, but putting the other block on top is making me nervous.

So do you like the paper bag method or is this not the best time to use it?

Oh it's a hoffman purple batik pack.

Lorie

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That is the concept.. toss the pieces in a paper bag, shake it up, then reach in and pick one.. USE IT!! No fair tossing it back in the bag and picking another. LOL. Simple concept that works out so well!!

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Originally Posted by Beach Cottage Quilter

What's the paper bag method??? The only video that comes to mind is one of Jenny's where she mentions putting squares in a paper bag (I believe it was the bow tie tutorial) but I just thought she was storing them there as she makes them working on other projects and this one by Eleanor Burns "Tossed D9P" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfIAmgM8yd0 Is this the concept or is there more to it? Very interesting...

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I have used the paperbag method for scrap quilting with 5" squares; also for a scrappy DP9 and it worked out very well for me...only time it went back into the bag was if it was same fabric next to each other....I say "go for it"

Cool. There are so many fabrics i can't see how it can go wrong! I took the day off from it today to think about it,but i'm going to go for it!

Yea Paula you got all my love, lol.

I found even with the random paper bag method, my "anal" brain would over ride it. I ended up asking family and friends to randomly put fabrics together for me when they stopped by. It worked great and became some of my favorite blocks! I still use this method when I am "planning" a random pattern and everyone loves helping out, even the kids!