And for those of you who use invisible thread: How do you start and stop lines of stitching? (I usually do 1/4" or less of microstitching and cut tails off at the fabric.) This stuff is pretty slick, I'm afraid it's going to come undone.

I tried to bury my invisible thread the first time I used it. That doesn't work. You have to start and stop with tiny stitches and cut the tails off flush with the quilt. I've only used YLI invisible thread with DMC embroidery thread for the bobbin. My machine loves that combination so I've never tried anything else. I've heard that other machines don't like the invisible thread.

Also:
How do I keep the raw edges of the outer blue border from fraying while I do all these turns? The zigzag on my old Kenmore doesn't work, just forward and back.

I always use a large straight stitch (5) around the outside border as close to the edge as I can get to secure it.

Also, I wouldn't use my feed dogs with a walking foot if I had so many turns to make in such a small area. You can stitch straight lines with the feed dogs lowered and an embroidery foot. Practice on a sample or outside the edge of this quilt where you will be trimming off to see if you like doing that. It would save alot of time.

If I could only stitch straight lines, I'd crosshatch all but the stars. BTW that's a beautiful quilt.. It would do well in our returning military quilt project in our guild. We make a quilt for each area son/daughter returning from deployment out of the country, lap sized, with red/white/blue as main colors.

I think your quilt is just so pretty. Beautiful color choices and I don't even notice the white. I just noticed the beautiful blocks. I think you are too critical of your work. Maybe you need time away from it for a while. Like many others, I could send you my address if you are REALLY dissatisfied.......

If you really don't want to keep it, remember, it would make a wonderful Quilt of Valor for some returning wounded serviceman. However, I absolutely do love it. I think it is gorgeous.

How can U not love this quilt? It is beautiful.

I find this happens to me as well. I work on some thing for so long ,by the time I have it all together I actually don't like it and can find so many things I could have done better.
I fold it up and leave it where I can't see it. One day when I come across it, I get a whole new feel for it.
I think my eyes just need to rest.

i love your quilt its beautiful stars is my favorite pattern and ive always wanted to make a red whie and blue quilt. what pattern is that ? i dont quilt my own quilts so im no help there but maybe youve just been working on it too long. i do that sometimes i was making a quilt for someone and they werent exactly my favorite colors to start with and my dmil was going through chemo and radiation at the time and by the time i was done i hated that quilt cause i think i just looked at it too long. it was a very pretty quilt the person loved it everyone but me did lol.
carla m

I just realized you are almost local... I live in Northfield. I will come over and take if off your hands if you really don't like it. I think it is beautiful!

I like the quilt. Think it's beautiful. Great job.

I LOVE the quilt! Send it my way! HA!