Just wondering who here has tried this method and what you thought of it?

ABSOLUTELY!!! Every chance I get!! It doesn't always work well with other quilting designs because it creates such a strong texture, but it is great for many applications!! For example, I wouldn't use it in a small or narrow space because it ends up looking like "bananas", and I wouldn't use it next to heirloom feathers because the curves detract from the curves of the feathers. However, it looks absolutely fabulous in open areas as background filler, on applique to accent leaves or petals, to create the illusion of air or water, and I could go on and on. The best part is that it is such a fun design to do; they do not all have to be uniform in size and the design is a lot more interesting than plain ol' stippling all of the time. I highly recommend this method to any machine quilter, even beginners. (I've even heard of hand quilters using this in their work.)

Yes, I just finished McTavishing a bed-sized quilt in the open area around applique for a client. It's thread, time, and labor intensive, but so worth it when you apply it in the right areas of a quilt. I agree that it shouldn't be done right next to feathers, but there are so many ways to use this technique! Actually, I agree with everything Carla P just said! :D But wanted to add my own enthusiasm as well.

BTW~my client received a blue ribbon on the quilt that I did the McTavishing on. I've heard that judges are looking for something new, and a little different from the other, more common forms of all-over background designs such as meandering. I'm happy for her that it worked to her advantage. :)

Forgive my ignorance ,but what is McTavish?

This...

http://www.designerquilts.com/mctavish.html

is McTavishing!

Enjoy :D

Thanks for the link, Lin! I didn't know what it was until now. All I have to say is WOW!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for asking. I didn't have a clue, either. :mrgreen:

I had never heard of it either, but it is stunning!

Carla and Lin,

Questions: Do you use a long-arm machine? If not, how did you deal with the bulk with a domestic machine? I am quilting a lapsize quilts on a domestic machine and have difficulty with a quilt this size, so I am wondering about the bigger ones and their bulk. I really haven't tried to do such dense quilting but think now I will try. How long does it take you to do a full-sized quilt?

When Karen McT did a demo on Simply Quilts, she used a ruler along her presser foot to guide as she stitched particularly when she traveled to a clear area. Is this something you do also? Did you take any classes to learn this techinque?

When I looked at the quilt blocks at the Karen McT. site, it appeared that the sashing could have been added after the blocks were quilted. Do you see this also?

Can you add any hints for us to help us get started? Should we start with a single block, etc.?

Thanks for all your insight. Suzanne

WOW! I'm learning sooooo much by just reading the posts. Glad somebody asked and it was explained. Of course, I'm not getting anything accomplished....well, not even started in the way of quilting...because I'm spending all my time on here reading. But I'm loving it.