The website mentioned has been disabled. Does anyone know of another website with good quilting motifs.

I am also a new quilter. I am confused as to how you know what to quilt. I have a scrappy quilt I am finishing and it has the blocks and a semi-star pattern. I did do ditch sewing in around the blocks, but how much is too much and when should you leave well enough alone. I have never done stippling--could try--but this is a gift. So, perhaps the best is to leave the block outlines on the backing and then just put ties in the center of the blocks, and leave it alone. Now it just has 15 squares on the backing.

If someone, has some general ideas as to what to quilt around I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks.

It now says this site is not available. I was looking to make my own stencil also. Kyia

Thanks for all the great hints and tips. I’ve found use for a few already and several answer questions that have been nagging my noggin.

I'm trying the mesh idea next time but found this company on the net selling 'em cheap:

http://www.quiltingstencils.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=14

Being a newbie also...thank you for all the great tips. I did find 1 tip on my own for stencil making...I found some cheap plastic report covers at the Dollar Store..they come in many different colors and hold up great for stencils while being easy to cut with scissors or an exacto knife.

I have used tracing paper with lots of good results and recently tried Glad Press and Seal. The GPS works great..however you have to be diligent about cleaning up your machine often...it will gum it up.

I think I'll try the tulle idea..it sounds easy.