I frequently get asked how I design quilts. I usually design my quilts on my computer using the Quilt Pro program. There are several quilt design software programs on the market and I am not endorsing one over the other. Quilt Pro just happens to fit the way I design. I usually don't do a quilt once; if I like the design I will play with it and see how many different looks I can get; I like to play with color.

For instance, I've used the block design at the left in a quilt over a dozen times.  It is an interlocking tessellating design, very easy to sew and cut with a generous fudge factor.

Sometimes I do it in a Rainbow Fade....one color/print fading into the next color in the rainbow sequence.

Sometimes I do it in diagonal rows of only two colors (but many prints of those two colors).

Sometimes I do it monochromatic, with lightest in the center going out to the darkest prints around the edge.

This one to the left is my lastest variation, and I am in the process of collecting the fabrics now. It will be a scrappy quilt (for instance I will have to collect 24 royal blue prints for the royal blue row) except for the black ring which will be the same black fabric repeated 16 times. This black ring is sized to fall just at the top edge of the mattress of a queen sized bed.

I also think the design above would look wonderful done in florals, starting in the center with a pink floral, surrounded by 4 blocks done in a peach floral, surrounded with 9 blocks done in a yellow floral. The light green row could be a light green leaf print, the black row could be a dark green leaf print and the outer rows would be a teal floral, a blue floral and a lavender floral. Some of the state flower fabrics, perhaps? To mix florals like this you would have to keep the backgrounds constant (either go with all light background florals or go with all dark background florals). Looks like I'll have to hit the quilt stores again.