I'm sure you experienced quilters will think these are dumb questions, but:

1. If you have a quilt of several colors, can you hand quilt just certain things on the top. What color would you use? White?

2. When you are basting a quilt together, do you start from the middle and work toward the outside?

Thanks ever so much.

These aren't dumb questions at all!!!

The answer to 1 depends on the colors of the quilt. I like to use contrasting thread, but some quilters prefer a color that will blend in. You can "audition" threads and see which one makes you happiest. You can quilt certain things, but make sure you quilt as much as your batting requires - some battings need more quilting than others.

As for 2, I start from the middle and work out. That way I don't have a bubble in the middle.

Thank you, thank you, Janet. I'm glad you didn't say one color thread for each color of fabric.

You're welcome! Remember, it's your quilt - you can pick whatever thread you want.

If you have a lot of colours in your quilt you could try a varied thread that can look great and should blend in well.

you certainly can pick different things to quilt and use different designs across your quilt, quilt each block individually if you want, and a verigated thread or a medium gray will blend in well.
and yes, baste from the center out...
the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask...:)

I use what ever color thread I think would look good, if I want the quilting pattern to show, I use something stands out; on a sampler I did WAAAAYYYY back I wanted the stiches to show , so I used green , not sure if you can see the stiching w/this photo....if I want the fabric to be the focus I usually use white or off white, like the pink baby quilt.
As far a s basting goes.... I used to start at the middle & work out; now I use a technique I saw on You tube, by Char .... ( starts with a C, I think)someone; search for hand basting videos you'll bump into it. she uses rails, you start from the end, and work your way across the quilt, sitting down, comfortable... not on your knees. Good luck

I would use a light gray for hand quilting it sort of blends in with all colors. Just my opinion. And I start in the middle too.

A varigated thread sounds as good as light grey. I would like both.
When basting I often spread out the quilt layers on our dining table and I start at one edge with basting, cross the center towards the opposite edge. It works fine!

There are no dumb questions.

I ususally use neutral colors for thread such as white or cream or if a dark quilt a black or brown. My hand stitches are not very good so I don't want to focus on them yet.

But make sure you quilt density is what is required by the batting used. I also want a design that is about the same density across the quilt.

I baste from the center out. I will have to look for the method on the bars.

Since my stitches aren't perfect, I usually try to find something that is not a high contrast to anything in the quilt. I've use a varigated, but generally go with a creme or beige unless the quilt is dark in which case, a dark grey works well.

Baste from the center out.

Thanks, everyone, for all your advice.

The videos are Sharon Schambers. Here is a link:
http://sharonschambernetwork.com/Classes.aspx
Just look for the basting video.

I usually use a color that will show up good. If I'm going to all he work to hand quilt I want it to show up. However, on white or off white blocks I use white or off white thread and it shows up fine. I finished a queen sized one this summer that has autumn colors in it and I used a gold colored thread. Looks good.

Thanks, Jenna. Actually, I found that yesterday and figured it was the one you were talking about. Did you try wrapping fabric around boards? How did it turn out. Also liked her way of basting. Thanks much.

I use king Tut variegated cotton that fits the colours of quilt.

When basting ALWAYS use www.sharonschamber.com method ,cannot speaknhighly enough of it ,with her help and a visit to DIY wood dept it is SO VERY MUCH easier and can be contolled so well.

I have not tried her method, someone else mentioned her so I supplied the link :). I like a lot of the things she does, but honestly have not tried too many of them yet!

When you decide to use a certain color, be sure to lay a single strand against the fabric. If you use the entire spool, you won't get a realistic view of what will or won't be visible.

I usually use several colors to quilt, depending on the colors in the top. For example: the last quilt that cam off the frame was done in various shades of purple - from lavender to dark, and greens - mediums to dark. I quilted both colors with a medium shade of purple and green, respectively.

I don't baste. I have a three-rail frame. A wonderful thing, that.

I just tried this method on a 86x97 queen, put the leaf in dinning table and went to work. It was the easiest and most comfortable way to baste! no moving all the furniture and crawling around the floor.

I am going to try it on my next quilt. I have always hated putting the 3 layers together because of the awkwardness of doing it on my floor.....ow-w-w my aching back :mrgreen:

1. Yes you can use any color you like. I have a garden quilt with dark green sashing between the veggie blocks. I quilted it in a light green in a brick pattern for the "walkways" between the blocks.

I also used both red and white in this quilt.