Complex fabric --Simple patchwork

Birds in a Cherry Tree by Bobbi Finley,

A tile quilt appliqued from some complex Morris reproductions

http://bobbifinleytilequilts.blogspot.com/2011/03/latest-quilt.html

Quilters have to think about

Pattern in the Fabric versus Pattern in the Patchwork

We have at least four options.

1) Complex fabric---complex patchwork, as in Bobbi's block above

Mid 20th-century bowtie top

2) Simple fabric---simple patchwork. A very modern look.

Nineteenth-century pieced star

3) Simple fabric-- Complex patchwork. One reason 19th century quilters loved those little calico prints

Octagons from Ann Marie at AMSewing

4) Complex fabric --simple patchwork

The William Morris reproductions are complex prints. Here are some simple designs that balance that complexity.

http://amsewing.blogspot.com/2011/04/forgotten-finishes.html 

And how she pieced it:

http://amsewing.blogspot.com/2010/01/theres-more-than-one-way-to-piece-block.html

See another of her posts using William Morris reproductions:
http://amsewing.blogspot.com/2009/12/todays-weather-2f-feels-like-18f.html

From Jane Monk's Purrfectly Quilted blog, using the last collection The Morris Workshop

http://purrfectlyquilted.blogspot.com/2011/02/sneak-peek.html

Here's a square in a square made with the same collection by Jen from Sweden. I found it at the Cutting Table Blog

http://blog.missouriquiltco.com/special-order-from-sweden/

From another Jen - 2 charm packs from Moda
http://jenacknitwear.typepad.com/blog/2011/07/fo-quilt-for-the-newly-weds.html

This one using a Charm Pack from my last Morris collection The Morris Workshop is from the Pieced Goods blog.

http://piecedgoods.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/square-quilt/

In the last two examples I guess we have to say they combined complex and simple fabric with simple patchwork--option number 5, I guess.

Successful quilt designs strike a good balance between complexity in the fabric and complexity of the patchwork. Beyond that it's a matter of taste. Is it simple or stark? Complex or too busy?