I have a 100 x100 quilt made with 16" sq and 2" sashing surrounding each sq. Sq has applique cats, Want to shadow quilt around each cat several times. Also quilt inside sq 3/8 from sashing. Sashing will have a meandering loop in it. Where do I start. Was thinking about doing the 3/8 first then shadow around cats until I meet the 3/8 on all four sides. Last the sashing loops. Am I on the right track? I will be doing this on home sewing machine for straight lines and sit down Sweet 16 for the shadow and loops. First time fmq on such a large quilt. I have a large sewing table for both machines to hold the weight of the quilt.

That's how I would do it. The 3/8" stitching will stablelize (sp?) the whole thing, so I would do that first. Toss up after that. Whichever you feel more comfortable with, but straight lines first.

Sounds like a cute quilt, would love to see a picture of it.

Definitely do the 3/8 stitching in the sashing first to stabalize.

I would also do as much to stabilize the quilt top as I can first and then move on to the FMQ :D:D:D

UPDATE Well I have started....Pin basted the whole quilt.......have any idea what a 1000 safety pins on the floor look like...........lots of SHINE! Any how that picked up and finished basting. Now have half of the stabalizing stitches done, Time for lunch. Shoulders getting sore so time to move around a bit. I'll start again in a little while....Time to go outside for a breath of fresh air.
Keep on stitchin! I will do my best to learn how to put pictures on the screen when I finish. Wish me luck

Oh my gosh it must have weighed a ton with all those pins. Now that you have it stabalized you may want to remove some of the safety pins just to get some of the weight off of it.

Stabalizing done and pins removed. Tomorrow I start the fmq...I figure I had better practice a little on sample before I start for real..Not fond of playing frog and its been a real long time since I did any fmq. Like never on a full size quilt.....

Breathe!!! Relax!! Enjoy!!