I am new to machine quilting, but have experimented with SID and FMQ and enjoy them both.

I've just finished the top of a pretty busy quilt. Lots of vintage fabrics, combinations of small squares and rectangles. Each 6-inch block is a series of rectangles "framing" a small square in the center of the block.

So I am ready to mark the top. Having no preference for any particular type of machine quilting, I can't decide where to go from here.

Are there any rules of thumb out there regarding the pattern of your quilt top and what you decide to do for quilting (using a stencil, free motion, stitch in ditch, or even just tying)? I am just having a hard time make my choice, and it sure would be nice to eliminate some.

Thanks. Debbie

I just finished a quilt for my daughter and it was alot of squares and diamonds. I did an edge to edge diamond pattern and it turned out great. Here is the link

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-67310-1.htm

Do what you like, and what you are comfortable with. :thumbup:

I had a feeling that would be the answer! :)

Personally, I like simple quilting on a busy top. It sort of calms it down.

I've been doing alot of echo quilting. I like it simple too.

I learned that if you have a very busy quilt top, to do a simple quilt design because you don't really want the quilting to stand out.

I think your batting dictates HOW MUCH quilting is required, but the style is up to you.