mpspeedy

I love your little cottages. They are charming. You didn't mention handquilting. Your project is small enough that you could try your hand at it and might fall in love. All you need is an embroidery frame either a wooden one or one of the PCP type ones. They sell either in any Joanns and many WAlmarts. You can baste the layers of back, batting and top together with safety pins and you have a perfectly portable project. The nice thing about handquilting is that it is so easy to remove if you don't like the results. You don't need a machine just a needle and thread and a comfy chair. You can watch TV or carry on a conversation with family or friends while you quilt. As a first project It might take you a while but unless you have a deadline what is the rush?
I would stitch just outside the ditch around the cottages and the details of the cottages. Echoing that stitching between a 1/2" and an inch around each of the cottages would really make them pop. Again if you make a mistake the stitches are easy to remove and redo without fear of tearing or cutting the top. Just unthread the needle and use the eye end to pick out the bad stitches.
What ever way you decide to go please show us the finished project.

QuiltnNan

it is totally adorable. you could shadow quilt - sew around the shape a presser foot distance and then repeat all the way to the outside. or you can pick an imaginary 'center' point and sew straight rays from the 'center' outward, but only in the white areas.

crafterrn1

Here is what I did on my small applique. I do the diagonal lines a lot. It just speaks to me. So mark the background in each square with diagonal lines either 1/2 or 3/4 inch depending on the size of your block. a 12 inch block I may use 1 inch. There will be lots of starting and stoping. I solve the caught tails of thread by pulling my threads to the top. I hold the top thread tail and I advance the needle into the quilt sandwich. I bring the needle back up and pull the bobbin thread thru. I start to stitch then reverse stitch for 2 stitches then sew to the applique. I reverse stitch for 2 stitches go forward for 2 stitches, Stop and pull the top thread to the left. I repeat the needle down needle up action and pull both threads far enough to cut them. I start on the far side of the applique. I continue until all the lines are sewn. I sometimes start in the middle to push any wrinkles to the sides. I use a papermate mechanical pencil to mark the lines lightly. It wears off and does wash out. Here is a photo of the red and white applique. I also added the Sail Away with special stitching on it. Luann

nanascottie

thanks crafterrn, i think diagonal lines would be good - i am so new at this - but am anxious to finish it so i can start another - i seem to learn by trial and error(LOL)! i will try it - your quilts are really beautiful. your instructions are clear and really helpful - thankyou for taking the time to write them. and i thank everyone else too!

kacklebird

This is sooo pretty

Jackie Spencer

That is so cute! I love it!!

Painiacs

You did a wonderful job!!

quilter2theend

I agree with MadQuilter, stitch-in-the-ditch (where the seams meet) and echo quilt around the cottages. That is adorable, great job for only you second project, welcome to the world of quilting. By the way, be forewarned it can become an addiction!!HEHE

nativetexan

or stitch straight lines grid fashion behind the houses. great blocks!!

barny

Oh I love that quilt. It is so bright and pretty. Listen to the experts. They know what to do.