I bought the most wonderful bright and gay backing fabric ---2 1/2 metres from my chimney sweep's wife black background and called champagne party, then found a top that matched ALL colours and odd black squares with party masks ------perfect!!
Hope to make a quillow which have never done before AND altho [don't laugh plse] have made over 20 quilts , self taught, have only ever stitched in the ditch ,will ALWAYS hand quilt but do machine 1st stage of binding .
The pattern of top consists of 2 1/2 inch squares "around the world" 49x72 inches[ of course !] plse will you advise me where you suggest I quilt, had thought staight line [easy!] diagonally but was told by a knowledgeable lady that this could be difficult as the corners of the squares are more bulky. It was suggested that I quilt in a staight line across middle of squares ; any more suggestions please? Thanks

Have you tried this method to reduce the bulk at the intersections?

http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com...lat-seams.html

It makes a world of difference in the thickness of the intersecting seams. I do mine this way all the time now. It takes a little longer, but is well worth it!

Alternatively, you could stitch a serpentine or wavy stitch back and forth over the seams and avoid the intersections. My machine has a serpentine stitch, but if yours doesn't you could just move the fabric back and forth to do the same.

thanks for the tip ,only ever quilt by hand HATE HATE maching ,never feel in charge , but do so enjoy hand quilting which can be done anywhere.