Oh Dorothy! What a special quilt that must be!

When my son decided to get married he asked for a WHITE quilt, well I started looking for white fabric, white on white,spots,daisy's,stripes well the list is endless when you start looking. the rest he left to me so long as it was white, there are many blocks with names ie Dorothy's star, Ellen's star, and places Florida star, road to chicago,(road trip he did with his Dad) ocean waves, they have a boat and last but not least Next door neighbor, he was marrying his next door neighbor, I could not find a Daisy Block for his grandma so daisy fabric had to do. I made several of each block in all using 28 different white fabrics. and used Katie Pasquini's book make your own contemporary sampler quilt.
they were thrilled with it, and I was quite pleased too.

Keeping it a secret is definitely a good thing as I did for my 2 sons, at least until they were almost finished. But when it came to my daughter's quilt I knew she would want some input so I let her pick the pattern and fabric, but I did all of the work, including choosing the quilting design. I wish I hadn't asked her for input when I made her last childhood quilt 15 years earlier though because she was at the age when she thought she knew more about what I was doing than I did! I'm sure they will love whatever you decide on.

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions.! I've checked out each of the patterns mentioned and that has been helpful. I'm still pondering which pattern to use, but as far as color choice, I am leaning toward neutrals. I feel I know the couple's style, and since I prefer to keep the whole project a secret, I don't think I will ask for the kids' input. I will heed Tigercatindia's advice and go with my gut on the decisions. I love the idea of including the wedding invitation on the back!

What a lot of great thoughts! Both our older daughter and our son got engaged just before Christmas with both weddings in July - not together tho! One in MN 7/8 and the other in WA 7/29. I think I have the patterns chosen and and idea for color scheme, now to get going on them.

Not to sound too woo-woo, but through experience I've found it best to select a pattern and colors for wedding quilts with your gut (a la Leroy Jethro Gibbs of NCIS!), basing choices on what you know and feel about the couple. I've made quite a few wedding quilts, each one different: pieced, appliqued, oriental, scrappy, etc. and in all sizes. So far, every couple has gushed over their quilt and been pleased to use it in their new home. This approach, though extremely subjective, keeps conflicting and confusing input to a minimum and allows full creative control over the project. Of course, every situation is different, and if your giftee has strong opinions regarding colors and patterns, you might do well to listen, but I suggest that you always trust your gut in quilty matters.

Mary in Tennessee

I have made queen size bed quilts for each of my 3 sons and wives for their weddings. The first was a Double Irish Chain. The second was an English Wedding Ring, sort of big pieces that I did not like until the blocks were finally put together and then it was stunning. For the third, I wanted something quick and easy to work up quickly as we had some family health issues going on and I didn't think I had the energy for anything else. UNTIL I saw a sample of a Judy Martin's Snake River Log Cabin quilt. Took me over 2 hours of talking back and forth to finally decide to go for it. Over 4,000 pieces and 6 months later, it was finished! Absolutely stunning! It was actually quite soothing to work on it, I got into quite a rhythm and it kept my mind "piecefully" occupied.
One year old grandson and a little girl on the way, guess I made the right choice.

Susan K in MA

I'd talk to the couple and work out what their favourite colours and styles are, and then start planning. If this would be for my older son and his partner the quilt would have to reflect my son's interest in design (he is an interior architect) and her liking for all things 'girly'. My younger son would be happiest with a quilt that is predominantly black. I could add a little a little purple if he stays with his present girlfriend. Or I might try and make a quilt that uses the colour scheme of the actual wedding. Seeing that there is no wedding on the horizon right now I can relax and let others agonize over this problem.

The owner of an LQS did a "Turning Twenty" king size in neutrals-whites, creams, beiges. She had it custom quilted by her cousin with feathers, cables, hearts.......It was absolutely breathtaking! The pattern was simple and the quilting was the star. It was a jaw dropper.

For information about printing labels on fabric check out this TQS projects link:

[url]learn/projects/[/url]

I want to add a suggestion about the wedding quilt label. Last night, at our guild meeting, we had a demo on how to make quilt labels. There were all different kinds, but one that I know I will be using in the future included an image of the wedding invitation printed onto fabric. It was awesome!

A neutral quilt like the one that Margo suggested is a great idea, because it will go with any color scheme and looks timeless. I'd also consider the couple's taste, as to whether they prefer a more traditonal or a more contemporary style. The first thing I do before deciding on a wedding quilt design is to review the couple's gift registry, which will tell you a lot about the couple's taste.

I didn't go with traditional when making wedding quilts for my kids. I picked out something that would work for their lifestyle or their home decorating style. My sons got quilts that were more masculine, but their wives love them, and my daughter chose her own pattern from a current magazine at the time and was able to find most of the fabrics used. I made them queen size because I knew they wouldn't use them on their beds and they were the right size for a guest room if they should have one in the future.

If you go to http://www.quiltworx.com, you can see one of Judy Niemeyer's newer quilts. The one I am referring to is called Bali Wedding Star. I'm not real wild about her color choices, but the quilt is awesome. It is ALL paper pieced, so if you don't enjoy paper piecing, then this is not the project for you. But, the quilt is just so elegant in person! I absolutely love it! Have fun deciding!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

I would check out some of the quilts in Alex's book NEUTRAL ESSENTIAL:
https://alexandersonquilts.com/cart/product.php?prod_id=32&cat_id=2

I don't think there is anything more classic than a lovely neutral quilt and it will an heirloom that will never look dated.