My *Favorite* part of the process is the design from drawing it out on graph paper to selecting the luscious fabrics. I've improved my piecing skills too and I love to see the design I had on paper come to life.
But doing just that was unsatisfying. Lots of beautiful designs but....so the last year and a half, I've been really focusing on actually quilting the tops. From overall quilting, FMQ individual blocks, to now I'm working on FMQ negative space.
And...guess what! I never in my wildest dreams thought that the quilting would become part of my DESIGN process! That has been a wonderful gift. Now when I draw my designs on graph paper, I'm also drawing the quilting. It's taken this hobby to a whole new level of art for me.