Thread: Help! How do I quilt this?

Originally Posted by KarenJ

I didn't envision red, white and blue. I was thinking blue and off white (like the china) with red accents. But that's water under the bridge. The question is now, "How do I quilt it with straight lines only and stay within 3.5" quilt spacing?"
But thank you all for the positive comments.

With 2" squares - if you straight SID around the elements - and through the center of the stars - you will surely have less than 3.5" between your quilt lines- won't you?

I especially love it, with the blue border!

I'm not a fan of invisible thread, either; it usually ends up scratching me! If you use one of the finer threads, you can go with a neutral color and not have to change, as often.

I usually look for the easiest way, to quilt. I would quilt the stars, each in one continuous line, from point to point (SID or along the sides, if that makes any sense). Then I would outline the red/blue borders, inner and outer, in a neutral color.

Originally Posted by KarenJ

Neesie,
Neutral as in grey? And going from the red right into the blue and back?
Sorry, I'm just so boggled by this........

Sorry! My "neutral" is probably the same as your "natural." I think of "neutral" as either natural or gray, depending upon what blends better. What I meant, though, is you could treat the red/blue borders as one; instead of thinking of them as two separate colors. Hmmmmm. I just re-read your original post and might be saying the same thing you were already planning to do. In other words, you'd be outlining the white/off-white, rather than the colors.

Depending on how much you just want to "just get it finished," you could also just cross-hatch quilt the blocks. Seriously, it's gonna be beautiful, however you decide to quilt it!

I agree with Tartan. If you have your lines marked or are following seam lines, I find it easier to FMQ than to have to keep turning the quilt as you SITD.

I did a bit of doodling on Paint...How about just a cross hatch on the whole thing? That would solve the problem of having to turn it so much. And with the thread, I would suggest a tan, even a darker one, a medium gray or light blue. Remember, when they hand quilted in the 'old days' they only had a few colors. I have quit trying to be really 'matchy matchy' with my quilting colors. Now I just pick something that shows, but does not STEAL the show. You did a great job piecing this ! Pat yourself on the back and learn a color lesson for next time. Its a process... and you are WELL on your way!


The 1st picture just shows some crosshatching. You can decide how far apart and at what angle you like. The 2nd one I just did a small X in the middle of the star. That would keep the middle from puffing so much. Be sure to post a picture when you are finished!