tessagin

I totally agree. Anxious to see finished.

IBQUILTIN

I agree with all of those who suggest that you let the fabric dictate how it wants to be quilted. If it is "out there" to do that, then I am not alone. I guess we quilters have querky ideas and are very special because we listen to the fabric. At least we are not answering voices in our head.

carol45

I see that most of you agree with me to follow the fabric's call. Where we disagree is the color of the thread. In my recent practicing with FMQ I found that it looked the nicest (even when there were mistakes) when there was contrast between the thread color and the fabric. Otherwise, the quilting simply doesn't do anything for the quilt. That's why I'm suggesting the dark brown. I'll have to think about this some more because I value all of your experience.

Becky's Crafts

I would do as you said with the paisley in perhaps a thread two shades darker than the background. Then I would sew 1/4" inside the paisleys & do small pebbles within the 1/4". Then perhaps larger pebbles inside the rest. Perhaps a stippling between the paisleys and whatever you choose on the rest. Have I given you too much detail? Sorry!

Tartan

Carol, if you are confident in your FMQ skills then go with the colour thread that fulfills your vision. Whatever you decide you will be happy with because you are fulfilling your own idea.

Farm Quilter

Do your paisleys all over the place on it - that would look fabulous! That said, I hate meanders - they are boring!!! You could make the borders look like they are a companion fabric to the center if you put paisleys on them! Go with your idea - it will be great!!!

romanojg

How about getting a large piece of vinyl and placing it on top of the tablecloth. With a brown erasable marker (since that is what color thread you want to use) practice your design on the vinyl and you can not only see what it would look like but get you mind ready to FMQ. It can be a small section of the quilt or half, whatever helps you envision what you might want to use. Save the vinyl for the next project when done.

carol45

Great idea! I will definitely try something like this. Thanks!

Farm Quilter

Carol, the vinyl is what I use to test out ideas for quilting all the time. Do put blue painters tape around the borders of the vinyl so you don't accidentally go off onto the quilt top!! Also, if you use the finer point black dry erase markers, you can use the vinyl over and over again. Joann's is a great place to get it, especially with a coupon!!

SusanSusan33

My FMQing has improved (not bragging, just saying) but I still use threads that blend in so much. I need to get a little more daring so the quilting will actually *show*.

I say go with you gut!!