sarahrachel

I normally just sid but this quilt has too big of pieces to just do that. I don't know how to fmq and don't want to attempt it on this quilt, I have another I'm going to try that on, but I think I might give this to a shut in at my church so I'd like it to look nice as it's one of the first ones I'm giving away. It's a 35 x 44 lap quilt and I'm stuck. please help.

janRN

Sarah I cannot FMQ even after years of trying. What I do is I guess, like top stitching. I draw a chalk line and stitch on it. For example, your center orange square: I'd trace the sides of an old CD to make 1/2 circles from corner to corner and just sew on the lines. It would add movement to a basic square pattern. In the larger areas, I traced plates, heart shapes, diamonds; you name it. Then I just sew on the lines.
I'll try to attach an example of my version of FMQ:

barb55

I like what you did with that block.

Sewfine

Quilting art has some free design you could cut out and track on your squares. Like to see what everyone else think.

Sewfine

Love the topstitch of your block. Beautiful.

sarahrachel

jan, thank you for suggesting circles! I've never done them before or anything round for that matter, and it's a new challenge but exciting at the same time. I started with fan quilting in the center, probably not the best spot to start, but I traced the CD in the points and used my seam guides on the walking foot from there, it's so much fun! thank you for opening my mind up to circles and how they aren't as hard as they look!! :) :)

patty04

WOW I love your block that is what I'm going to try as I cannot FMQ that good myself. Thanks for the idea

Painiacs

Thanks for idea! Love chalk idea!!