I am so sorry to just be getting back to you! I use the same as teddysmom answered...one of those disappearing ink pens.

Hi everyone....

I am getting back to this quilt...the pink, grey and white one. I was handquilting a flower in each square, but sadly, I am not going to be able to do it. My carpal tunnel is not cooperating. So....I am going to attempt to machine quilt the flower in each square. I have not done any machine quilting, other than to play around when I first got the machine. Anyone have any advice? Should I use a walking foot or just the regular? My machine is a Brother SQ9050.

Thanks so much for any direction....

I think a walking foot would take forever, so would just stitching around--because of the curves of flower petals. Can you try FMQing it? Do you have a FMQ or darning foot for your machine? Can you drop the feed dogs? I think you could get a flow of movement to move the quilt under the needle and go round and round making the flower. (I'm assuming, of course, that it is a simple flower as shown in your template.) I can do these with ease myself because I get into a 'swirly' motion...can even trace the flower and follow the outlines . Try it--practice on a swatch. It won't look like hand quilting, but once the quilt is washed, it will look real pretty. JMO

Thank you both for your answers on marking your quilts.

This thread reminded me of a quilt my Dad has. He is proud to have it. The quilt was made by "Bart's Sarah." She was the daughter of my Dad's Uncle Jim and married Dad's cousin's husband's brother, Bart. We had so many Sarah's in the family, she was known as Bart's Sarah. Sarah Dulcenia was born in 1897 and died in 1992. Dad liked her a lot. Anyway, I've included a close up picture I took of her quilt because I liked the shape she quilted and thought one day I'd try it.

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I like Bart's Sarah, the orange peel idea, or a clam shell. You may not have to mark them...just stitch free hand

It's darling. However you decide to quilt it will make it even more loveable. Have fun. Sorry about the carpal tunnel!

Your Dad's quilt is just beautiful! How fortunate you are to have it in the family. Thanks for sharing!

well....I have spent quite a bit of time practicing free motion quilting. @mermaid, I do have a quilting foot and now know how to use it (and how to drop the feed dogs). I have also used basting spray for the first time. There is quite a learning curve, isn't there? I have watched tons of videos on Youtube. My little quilt is still unquilted....mostly out of fear of actually doing it by machine. SO...tomorrow I am off from work and will be going to my mother in law's quilting group at her church. They make tons of baby quilts and quilts for shut-ins. All of their work is by machine. So hopefully I will learn something from these gifted ladies. Thanks for the advice and I will keep you posted.

I will say, it's been fun trying something new. I bought a couple of things 'suggested' to make it easier. A pair of gloves and a little slider mat that is supposed to help with the drag. Haven't used them yet...

Rachel

Thanks so much, DJ. I haven't been to the doctor about my wrists yet, but I know that is what it is. Trying to just take care of them for now.

Rachel