Tartan

I would outline quilt each SBS and then follow the crosshatch lines in the white fabric behind them. I would use Gutterman hand quilting thread in white or off white. I might do a a diamond cable down the sashing. Lovely SBS!

Bree123

1. For hand quilting, I love YLI 40/3. It is really very nice. If you're going with Aurifil, I'd pick a 40wt & you'll also need either bee's wax or thread conditioner so you can work with it more easily. I think 12wt or perle cotton will steal attention away from the beautiful applique work. I really wouldn't go heavier than a 28wt.
2. When I quilted my SBS, I did off white in around the applique & roughly matched the color of the outfits when quilting on the applique. If you do go with a color, I would probably stick to something pale -- light grey, pale pink, or a dull pale yellow -- so it complements, rather than competes with the many fabrics in the applique/piecing.
3. If you hand quilt, I'd quilt 1/4" around the applique. For machine quilting, I like quilting in the "ditch" around the applique as it will make the applique puff up a bit.
4. Honestly, I really like the edge with just the crochet; I'd add facing to the top & backing, and set the crocheted lace just inside on top of the batting (maybe consider trimming a bit of the batting away to reduce bulk) and then would stitch it together with a white perle cotton or Aurifloss. I don't think I'd add any additional fabric, but if you do, I'd go with just the yellow for the border & binding to keep the attention on that incredible crochet.

It's always such a tough thing when I have techniques I really want to use, or fabric I really want to incorporate to pull back & think about what I want to be the star of my quilt, but sometimes less really is more. I think by keeping things simpler, the fantastic heirloom vintage quality of your quilt will really show through. In any case, it's an incredible quilt & I can't wait to see what you do with it!!!

Janan

Thank you all for your comments! Bree, I am intrigued by your suggestion regarding the crochet, but having a hard time picturing it. Probably, my inexperience. Are you suggesting I trim down the border so only the crochet is on the edge of the quilt? And help me picture where goes the white perle cotton? Sorry, I am so visual it's hard for me to picture it in my head.

Prism99

This will be harder to hand quilt because of the scrim, but not impossible. There are other battings that are easier to hand quilt. You *really* need to make a small practice sandwich to hand quilt, as this will teach you a lot about ease/difficulty, thread tangles, needle and thimble, etc.

Also, I just want to mention that machine quilting is also perfectly acceptable on a quilt like this. You may not want to rule it out so early.

Edit: If you really want to hand quilt this as an heirloom, I would recommend switching to Hobbs wool batting. It is much easier to quilt and is considered an heirloom quality batting. Its only downside is that it is a little more expensive than cotton. The first quilt I ever hand quilted was 100% cotton (Mountain Mist blue ribbon batting), and I remember the difficulty I had with it. Cotton creates much more drag on the needle than wool, and scrim increases that drag. To be honest, at my age, I would hand quilt only with wool or silk batting now.

donnajean

What a great heirloom!

Silk

I can't help you, just wanted to say I love the crocheted edge...

Ditto!

KLO

This was my thought too when I saw the white or off-white background design up close. You wouldn't even have to mark it, just follow the cross hatching lines that are in the fabric already. How convenient is that? And it seems to me that cross hatching is common on a lot of antique quilts?

QuiltnNan

i agree to outline sue, but would then quilt outgoing rays from the [perceived] center

Wonnie

Janan, personally I use either Quilter's Dream or Hobbs 80/20 and I've found them both to be easy to quilt. There are several opinions on Warm and White from others here on the board but I've never used it. I am a minimalist when it comes to quilting and only do what is necessary to secure the quilt sandwich but allow the piecing or applique to shine. It depends on what you plan to do with your quilt, I think, in so far as how you choose to quilt it and what batting you choose. Mine are always used; not packed away in a drawer or trunk. It took so long to make them I want to enjoy them now! If you want to finish it as an heirloom others here will give you excellent suggestions. However you finish it it will be gorgeous!!!

jmoore

Janan, it looks like you have received a lot of great ideas but i just wanted to say how much i love your quilt and what a great job you have done making it an heirloom. It is precious.