Thank you very much everyone for your answers.

I like the idea of "shadowing" the design.
I also like the stitch in the ditch idea, but I guess I won't be able to visualise how this will work out until the blocks are together.

Is there a distance that the quilting stitches should be apart as a maximum? There is so much conflicting information on the internet.

It looks like I will need a walking foot so I think I will take a trip to my janome specialist in the near future and ask some questions there.



Adelaide Girl: I am in the north east of Adelaide - Modbury area.

quiltluvr: Good idea on the library. I keep forgetting we have quite a large one nearby. Thanks!

gaigai: youtube video was great thanks!


Thankyou everyone for your help so far! I will come back with updates (and more questions probably)

Definitely, definitely go to your Janome dealer and get yourself a walking foot! It will save you LOTS of frustration and help to prevent those little wrinkles in your quilting. As for the maximum distance between quilting lines, check the directions on the package of the batting you're using. It will tell you there how close it has to be quilted. I use Warm and Natural and it can be quilted up to 10 inches apart according to its directions. You have lots of options with your block. I love your colors. Your quilt will be beautiful. You can do this! Welcome to the board. :)

Welcome, your block is lovely.
No matter which method you pick to quilt you top, it is never time or material wasted if you make a block or two extra and practice. It will help you get an idea how it is done, and what the blocks will look like when they are finished.

I have been working on my blocks tonight and have 4 done now so I thought I would drop them in this thread.

Thanks for the extra advice. I have a light blue plain practice block which I did to check cutting and sewing together the borders. I will keep it as a test for the quilting too. I will definitely check the batting. I have no idea on different types of batting, but hopefully I find a local quilting shop before I get to that stage.

I really am hoping that this works out because I am enjoying it immensely so far. I have learnt a LOT. And it is quite relaxing to piece together the blocks now I know what I'm doing.

Here are the blocks:

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/...e51abd55_m.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/...477d872e_m.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/...a1807d82_m.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/...7963407b_m.jpg[/img]

Welcome from NE CA. Glad you joined us. I love your design and colors. I can't add much to what's already been said, except that "quilt as you go" hasn't been mentioned.

Welcome from NE Illinois...I love the colors and design of your blocks...great job!

When you go to the Janome dealer for your foot (be prepared, they aren't cheap!) they should sit down with you and give you a lesson on how to use it. If they don't, find another dealer!

Welcome from Roscoe, Illinois.

The thing to remember is that lots of the "quilting advice" on the internet is just someone regurgitating old advice. And some of them do not take into account that if you use cotton batting, it is not the old stuff, but new modern batting that is punched onto a scrim or otherwise stabilized. In other words, if they say you have to have quilting very close together if you use cotton batting, they may not be correct, depending on the type of batting you use.

Think of those cheap comforters that you can buy. You know, after you wash them a few times how the fluffy stuff inside bunches up and leaves cold spots? This is what you want to avoid. So use good batting, and it won't be an issue how far apart your stitches are.

Metanoia- What pattern is that. I have not seen a block like that. It is great.