Embroider or quilt first?
 

I could use some advice ... I've never embroidered on quilts before but I'm making a butterfly quilt and the need for making antennae has stopped me at this cross-road. Should I quilt first and then embroider or vice versa? Are there pitfalls in either method, such as hiding the ends of the embroidery thread if quilting first and how would I do that? Also, is there an embroidery stitch that's best to use for this? Thanks for your help, as always!!

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If it was me, I would do the embroider first, you can quilt around them.
I love the block.
Mary in TX

That's going to be gorgeous!

I too would embroider first -- feather stitch, or else stem stitch with some stitches branching off the main line. I like stem stitch for things that will get lots of use because it's durable and doesn't snag easily.

embroider first---be difficult to embroider through all the layers.

Love your Block. Are you using necktie ends, if not good way to use them I too
would embroider first
Noella.

Thanks everyone! It's looking like embroidery first is best. Noella, I studied the Dresden Plate and Grandmother Fan designs and experimented until I got the shape I wanted. I cut a rectangle, folded it in half, sewed across at one end 1/4", trimmed at the fold area, turned it right side out, ironed so the point was centered, then cut the sides off holding the cardboard template I made over it.

Thank you all ... I appreciate your help and will explore that stem stitch, toolazy. It sounds like the most durable choice.

That looks awesome! I have been collecting ties for a quilt. At first glance, I thought you had managed to get doubles of ties. Love what you did. :)

Andrea

It occurred to me, if your block is not too small, you could also do the antenna by using either a narrow tube of fabric or ribbon (wash first!) -- just sew it down with a spiral or knot at the end.

Love your block! Yes as everyone has said embroider first. Cannot wait to see your finished quilt. :)

You can do either. I have done it after quilting, its your preference. I did pigs tails and noses on my quilt after it was quilted because I forgot, and I didn't have any trouble doing it.