"Quilt as desired"...Aarrgh!
 

Please let me rant for a moment...

What is with all the "quilt as desired" instructions? Patterns go to great lengths to tell you what fabric / colour/ size and method you should use to assemble the quilt top and then 38 instruction steps later say "quilt as desired". As if whatever you do from now on won't really make a difference. Magazine patterns often state (from my observations) "quilt was quilted with an overall stipple" when clearly (if you tilt the picture just so...) it wasn't. It's like half of the whole quilt making process is getting swept under the carpet. (yes I realise that fabric companies sponsor most patterns and once the top is made they are happy - but surely the quilting industry / art form is more advanced than that by now).

I realise it is very trendy right now to say there are no quilt police and you should do want you want - but this supposes that I understand all the options - and the resulting effect of each option. From my limited observations (being a very new quilter ) - it appears to me that quilt designs can make or break a quilt top. Sometimes the designs enhance and sometimes they overpower and sometimes they totally let down the quilt top - yet I struggle to find any kind of analysis of what works with which design - or better yet the impact or effect a quilt design has on a certain pattern.

Is there a source / book / guru / divine light that can help me with this ? I dream of a book which shows many different pieced patterns done with multiple quilt designs so one can see the impact of different quilting styles.

Or am I over-analysing /over-agonising and it really won't make that much of a difference ?

I really like your suggestion of pictures of the same pieced pattern done in different quilting styles! That would be most helpful.

I also agree that the quilting can either enhance or detract from the pieced design. Most of the ones I've seen on this site do a very good job of enhancing the design. However I've seen ones at various quilt shows that totally overpowered the pattern of the design.

I agree with you, I'm not sure what designs work with what quilt patterns. Usually I just do stitch in the ditch but I (hopefully) will eventually do more advanced quilting designs but have no idea how to go about picking what one to use.

That's why I like American Patchwork & Quilting and Quiltmaker magazines. They show a quilting diagram. I can't execute many of the designs as well as the quilter in the magazine but at least it gives me something to aim for. :)

You are so right about this problem. Piecing is pretty straight forward for everyone, but quilting really depends on one's talents and experience. It might help to just view a lot of quilts, on line or at quilt shows, and take notes on what appeals to you or what you feel you could do with something similar. Personally, I like to try and emulate what quilters did years ago at quilting bees, but with my walking foot. I also do fmq in spaces that need more and feel like much of what longarmers do is toooo much. Keep looking until you find "your" style.

I agree completely , just a little guidance on how to quilt the top would be a big help. It's just one of the reasons I stopped my magazine subscriptions. In my mind not providing the quilting is an incomplete instuction. Granted we may do something else , same with picking the fabrics, but at the very least give the quilting that was used in the photo.

You have read my mind! I can copy a pattern really well! but to come up with a design on my own... AIN'T no way!
I finished a quilt recently and really wanted to quilt it somehow other than Stitch in Ditch or corner to corner. But I just look at all the different blocks in it and draw a blank! I don't have a long arm so I am limited as to what I can do but heck I can't even see a "vision" of what could be done. I need instructions! I may not always follow them but at least it is a start for me!

You are not alone and I do have a long arm. I often just draw a blank!!!!

I totally agree! I also crochet and found a book of crochet patterns that show each patter done in 1,2, and 3 colors. I love it. I wish quilt patterns would show it with tieing, simple quilting and something more advanced...

Diannia

There was a book called It's Not a Quilt Until It's Quilted that did offer some different looks for a quilt using an overlay (I think) or maybe just the same quilt made up with different quilting designs. I don't know if it's still around, but someone might have it.