Question about quilting __ inches apart
 

I've been working on a UFO that I started hand quilting a while ago. I have most of the quilt finished and got to a new section today and I have a question. When batting says to quilt 6 inches apart, does that mean both directions? For example, in my picture (sorry for the shadow), I had planned on outlining the entire white dot section that I have taped off. Each long white side is less than 6 inches long. Do you think that's OK or should I outline each seam? Most of the white dot fabric on the quilt that I have done so far, I have just outlined as one shape (like what's taped off and where I drew the black line). Since I hadn't thought about this before...I'm thinking about just going with what I have taped off and chalking it up to experience...this is my first large quilt that I will finish.

I hope my question makes sense. Thanks in advance.

I would quilt your outline as you have shown and also around the pink/green block. I love your fabrics by the way :)

It means 6 inches from one quilting line to the next.
I use the width of the palm of my hand to determine that I'm close enough -- there should be a line of quilting thread touching both sides of my hand, regardless of the distance allowed by the batting. When they say quilting "can be" up to ?? inches apart, that is the maximum for keeping the quilt layers together well.

Jan in VA

I think you should quilt something in the half square triangle area - at least around the square. Love the fabrics!

Thanks for all of the responses. Yes, I plan on quilting the pink/green parts as well. I was just mainly concerned about the white area for now. I'll go around each triangle/square on the rest of the block.

I think most of the fabrics are Joann (from Spring 2011) except for the small pink square which are from a FQ from a LQS.

Measure the diagonal of your outlined square. If it's more than 6 inches, you really need to add some quilting inside the square. 6 inches would be the maximum distance between quilting lines to ensure batting will hold up over time without distorting or wadding up when washed.