After you get your quilt all together, how do you decide what quilting design to sew to show on the back of the quilt? Is there stencils or something that can help you with this?

Thanks,
Maggie

I would really like to know too. I just made a christmas paper pieced quilt and have alot of borders that need something. No experience in fmq would love to know if there are stencils or something to use.

I use stencils a lot but I decide the design on the front of the quilt. I've never done it on the back.

Where do you get stencils? Do you trace them on the front and then sew it?

You can purchase stencils from stencil companies on the internet or at quilt shows or quilt shops. You can also use the kind of stencils you use to decorate with paint etc. I use a lot of cookie cutters for interesting shapes especially for children's quilts or holiday motifs. I actually collect cookie cutters as memontoes of my travels that are also useful.
You mark the front of the quilt using the stencils or some object that you draw around. There are special pens and pencils made for that purpose. Some of them fade away quickly and some have to be washed out. You can also mark with powder or chalk dust. Joanns even carries some stencils and the marking tools. You can buy kits for white on white or pastel colored quilts, wallhangings or pillow tops etc. that are already stenciled. You then quilt them and wash out the markings. I have made everything from a pillow to a queen size white on white quilt from one of those kits. The kit often includes everyhthing but the batting. If you use a solid color or white back on your quilt you will be able to see the wonderful designs you created when quilting.
If you don't want to have to mark the quilt top you can just echo the lines of your piecing on the front at least 1/4 inch from your seam lines. The same goes around any appliques etc. I have seen people use a large floral print on other graphic design for the backing and simply quilt around the motifs of the back print. This gives the front a unique look. If I get around to it I will take some pictures and post them for you of some of my quilting. When all else fails you can simply crosshatch the whole quilt. Either in squares or diamonds.

thank you!

Thanks for the great info!! I didnt know that. It would be awesome to see some of the stencils too!!

me too

I have the great one for Full Line Stencils Check the out at http://fulllinestencil.com

some stencils are very expensive. go here and you can print all them for free. lay a piece of press n seal over the paper and trace the design then pin it onto ur top and quilt it, then tear it away. it's a lot of extra work but cheaper:
www.patsythompsondesigns.com