Margo wrote:
Beautiful, Margo! I had not noticed that before and love the technique that you used!!!

Mary Kay, who is expecting 8 to 15 inches of snow tomorrow in Denver

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I did check out the web site for Karen Combs, JoAnne. Great ideas. I put it in my favorites. Love the look of the border idea, Margo. Anna, I had seen that Fons and Porter show and it was one of the reasons I became interested in the gradiated (?) fabrics. I had completely forgotten about that ! We don't get their show anymore but I do get their magazine and can log onto their web site. Thanks so much. Now I know why I bought the fabrics. Their way of doing bargello seemed so simple. I want to try that.
Thanks again to all.
Judy

One one of the Fons and Porter's quilt shows they showed doing a Bargello type quilt using ombre fabrics. ( 2-3 years ago in series 900-1000 or 1100. When I get home late tonight I will be able to look up the number and magazine issue... I think in the EASY QUILT series)

The strips were cut out in various widths.... ie 2 inches 2-1/- 3inches - 3-1/2 whatever you like but I would not go bigger than 4 inches.

The strips were cut so you had small horizontal stripes.

You sewed the ends to make a loop.

Start in the center... off set each stripe form a pattern that is pleasing to you. Cut the loop at the top of the quilt to develope your off set pattern. Make the colors swirl or wave across the pattern .

I never cut my strips apart until I had trialed the look with my fabrics, You only get to see part of the pattern develope. .... staggering the colors.

I wish I could explain this better. If you have questions I will try to answer them, when I check back on this thread.

anna

Margo wrote:
Margo,

Thanks for pointing that out, I thought it was just a light shining on your quilt. What a great idea!

Could be very striking in a Rhapsody quilt. Betty Ann

Margo wrote:
The Anniversary Quilt shimmers! It's gorgeous! What a terrific idea to use that gradated fabric in the borders, thanks for telling us.

JoAnne in southern California

Judy, I don't have a pattern to recommend, but love to use the gradated fabrics for borders. Check out The Anniversay Quilt in my profile (top row). Using the light part of the fabric at the middle of each border makes the quilt appear to glow!

Judy, take a look at the patterns here:
http://www.karencombs.com/patterns.htm Her "Batik Waves" pattern might be just what you're looking for. If not, maybe another of her patterns is something you would like. Some of her other patterns need more yardage than you mentioned.

I think she has or had a line of gradation fabrics. That's why I thought of her when I read your post.

One of these days, I'm going to make that "Batik Waves" quilt!

JoAnne in southern California

I have collected several fabrics with colors which fade from dark to light. Most are 1/4 yard cuts. Does anyone know a pattern which would use these to advantage in a strip design? Must admit that the pattern I'd planned proved too difficult, but how could lights to darks not be a great find ! Please help.
judyc