SherylM

I'm making this quilt for my daughter; I dyed all of the fabric myself, plus tackled some other techniques for the first time (Y seams...not as bad as I thought they would be!) The things we do for our kids! It's been a real learning experience and I've enjoyed every bit of it.

It's ready to be quilted and I've been trying to figure out how I want to do it. I don't do free-motion quilting, so I usually resort to straight line cross-hatch quilting, but what I would really like to do on this quilt is channel quilting, about 2 or 3" apart, possibly with a serpentine stitch. I'm using Quilter's Dream wool batting that needs to be quilted no more than 8" apart.

I've seen plenty of quilts done this way and they look great, but my concern is that it might not be enough to hold the quilt together over time. I'm interested in hearing from someone who's actually done this on a quilt that's been loved and washed and dragged around, and can tell me if the quilt has held up to all of that.

sewbizgirl

Beautiful quilt! Might I suggest you start with the channel quilting, and then see how it looks. If you feel it needs more, you can always add more quilting at that point.

Jingle

When I straight line quilt my quilts I do at least 3-4" apart. Although I usually do FMQ then I don't have to worry about it.

By the way your quilt is beautiful great colors.

deborahscanlon

When you say serpentine do you mean the wiggly stitch on your machine? If so, I've used that many, many times. I love it. Adds lots of texture and yes it holds up well to use. I usually do a little closer than 3" though. I like a lot of quilting. 2" would be ok but I usually do about 1" or even less. I can tell you that doing that stitch adds a lot of time to the quilting - compared to a simple straight line stitch but it can be worth it. Tomorrow I'll look and see if I can find any pictures of a quilt I've done using it.

SusieQOH

I don't have advice but have to comment on how gorgeous it is!!!!!!

QuiltE

Beautiful quiilt!

What does your wool batting recommend for the quilting?? Generally, if it says 5" (or whatever measurement), that means 5" in any direction. Personally, I would be hesitant to do channel quilting, as obviously it would not give any cross quilting to hold your batting.

IMHO, and yes, only IMHO .... for simplicity, I would highlight the design, doing straight line quilting following the large diamond blocks of the design. That would really help show of your amazing 3D design.

patricej

invisible polyester thread on top.
stitch at the ditch, not in. as close to the seam as you can get without "stepping in the ditch."
start by outlining the big diamonds, in both directions, diagonally.
it will look best if you do all the seams but do at least the outermost and innermost of each diamond.

the diamonds will be more defined and the quilt will hold its shape when washed.

gorgeous quilt.
absolutely gorgeous!

jmoore

Beautiful colors and design...congratulations on your challenge and y seam experience.

QuiltMom2

Wow: what a beauty! Please let us know what you finally decide to do. Pictures are always good.

aashley333

Wonderful quilt! Love the pattern. I'm gonna say it again...I am self-taught. All I knew about was SID. I would cut fabric into 8 inch squares and resew them just to have a ditch to stitch in! I'm snuggling with one now! It's over 10 years old, no clumped up batting etc.
Then, I discovered this board and have learned volumes over the last year and a half. Love the painter's tape for a guide!
Bottom line...your quilt will be safe following the guidelines for the batting.

I am a fan of the serpentine stitch. I'm using it today to finish quilting the current project. It allows you to be imperfect at straight stitching. Plus, it looks like the ocean on my jellyfish fabric!