beautiful butterfly fabric
 

I have one yard of this beautiful butterfly fabric that I am making into a crib/lap size quilt. I can't bear the thought of cutting it to make a pieced top, so I just sandwiched it with a bright yellow solid. My problem is how to quilt it. Do I sew straight line diagonals to form a grid? Do I use a fmq pattern with little butterflies? Should I use white thread? I don't want the quilting to be the focus. Your input here is needed and welcome.

It is a lovely print and I'm glad you left it whole! :)

How about outlining each butterfly?
Then do a loop-de-loop meander to the next one.
You could even toss in the odd daisy on the loops between.
Plus, it'll give a nice design on the yellow.

For thread, I would look for a pale variegated that coordinates.
It won't be too noticeable and might blend a little nicer around the butterfly edges, than a plain white.

Follow tbe outline of the butterflies and do loopy swirls to get from one to the next.

I would either do the above or just FMQ around the butterflies.
When I can't stand to cut up a piece of fabric I do like you.
The butterflies are very pretty.

I would outline the butterflies to make them pop then fill in with white (whatever blends the best) filling in the background with something soft and curvy but not over quilted. Good Luck !!

This is is exactly what I think too! You want the butterflies to appear to be floating on the surface so outline them and quilt the background.

I got the same fabric for a long time, and just like you, couldn't get myself on cutting it up.
Love the suggestions on quilting it.

Beautiful piece! Show us when done please!

This is the perfect answer : )

I have that fabric somewhere in my stash too.
I would use a variegated thread.