Help! How do I quilt this?
 

I'm not real happy with this quilt, but I need to finish it. The pattern is "Nancy's Fancy" by Nancy Martin.
I'm not happy with my color choices, but I didn't realise it until I put the blocks together. It's too white and too bright, but what's done is done. I added the mostly white print border to soften it up, and I think that helped.
It is sandwiched and pinned. I used Hobbs 80/20, quilt spacing 3.5.
I did SID between the 16" blocks with invisible thread to stabilize it.
I can only do SID (not very accurate) or outline.
I plan on outline stitching all blue stars in blue. I plan on outlining the triangle (sort of) shapes that span the blocks in natural. I considered outlining the red squares in red and the blue intersecting triangles in blue, but that's a whole lot of turns on a small machine and a whole lot of thread changes. And if I don't do the squares and triangles, that would leave 6" unquilted between stars. (The quilt is made entirely of 2" squares.)
I also considered doing SID around the red squares and intersecting blue triangles with invisible thread. That way I could go all the way around the inside and all the way around the outside without thread changes. But SID puffs it out. Would that look right with stars that are not puffed out? And I'm not sure about using the invisible thread all over the quilt.
The first photo is the quilt pinned. The third photo is a workup done in Paint when I was auditioning borders.
I've been working on this for a long time and I just want to finish.
Any ideas or suggestions would really be appreciated.

I'm sorry you're not happy with this quilt - but honestly, i think it's beautiful !!! I am not a big fan of invisible thread because the only time i used it - when i held the quilt up i could see light through the "holes" where each stitch went through the quilt. If i were doing it i'd either use a variagated thread that's got red,white and blue primarily - or a neutral - outlining the various elements of the blocks....but i'm pretty much a straight line quilter cuz all i have is my trusty little sewing machine. Spacing depends on your batting of course - which is why i always choose the one that allows max 10". Good luck - and i hope this quilt continues to grow on you !!

Well if you really don't like It I am sure some of us would give you are adress's you can send it.

I love it. great quilt and the colors are too.

I'm so sorry that you don't like your quilt. I think it's beautiful. And your quilting plans sound fine to me. Send it my way.... I'll have it on my bed before you can whistle!!

I think your quilt is really pretty!!

I really like it too.

it's a beautiful quilt, and not to white for my tastes. i'd be tempted to quilt it with red or blue if you want to 'take away' some of the whiteness.

I think it is a beautiful quilt. Love red, white and blue. Great job.

I love your quilt. If it were mine I would stid.

I didn't envision red, white and blue. I was thinking blue and off white (like the china) with red accents. But that's water under the bridge. The question is now, "How do I quilt it with straight lines only and stay within 3.5" quilt spacing?"
But thank you all for the positive comments.

I especially love it, with the blue border!

I'm not a fan of invisible thread, either; it usually ends up scratching me! If you use one of the finer threads, you can go with a neutral color and not have to change, as often.

I usually look for the easiest way, to quilt. I would quilt the stars, each in one continuous line, from point to point (SID or along the sides, if that makes any sense). Then I would outline the red/blue borders, inner and outer, in a neutral color.

You must not be looking good at your quilt. It is so pretty. I love it. Whatever you do from here will just make it more beautiful. You have done a good one.

Neesie,
Neutral as in grey? And going from the red right into the blue and back?
Sorry, I'm just so boggled by this........

Sorry! My "neutral" is probably the same as your "natural." I think of "neutral" as either natural or gray, depending upon what blends better. What I meant, though, is you could treat the red/blue borders as one; instead of thinking of them as two separate colors. Hmmmmm. I just re-read your original post and might be saying the same thing you were already planning to do. :p In other words, you'd be outlining the white/off-white, rather than the colors.

Depending on how much you just want to "just get it finished," you could also just cross-hatch quilt the blocks. Seriously, it's gonna be beautiful, however you decide to quilt it!

With 2" squares - if you straight SID around the elements - and through the center of the stars - you will surely have less than 3.5" between your quilt lines- won't you?

I agree with Tartan. If you have your lines marked or are following seam lines, I find it easier to FMQ than to have to keep turning the quilt as you SITD.

Not absolutely sure I understand everything you wrote, but here's what I'm thinking.

I would use invisible thread to outline stitch all the interlocking borders.

Regarding the star, are you planning to stitch just the outline of the star? Or every triangle and block in the star? What I would do is quilt from one star point to another star point, so the inner squares would be quilted through.

I think it would look fine but, if you are concerned about puffing from SID, I would suggest changing the batting to something flatter such as Quilter's Dream Request cotton.

I did a bit of doodling on Paint...How about just a cross hatch on the whole thing? That would solve the problem of having to turn it so much. And with the thread, I would suggest a tan, even a darker one, a medium gray or light blue. Remember, when they hand quilted in the 'old days' they only had a few colors. I have quit trying to be really 'matchy matchy' with my quilting colors. Now I just pick something that shows, but does not STEAL the show. You did a great job piecing this ! Pat yourself on the back and learn a color lesson for next time. Its a process... and you are WELL on your way!


The 1st picture just shows some crosshatching. You can decide how far apart and at what angle you like. The 2nd one I just did a small X in the middle of the star. That would keep the middle from puffing so much. Be sure to post a picture when you are finished!

I have no suggestions for quilting, but I want to truly chastise you for not being happy with this quilt. I expected to see something 'fun' when the picture (finally) loaded (dialup). WHAT?! that top is just gorgeous. read gorgeous again. in ALL CAPS.

this quilt is stunning, you should be as proud as a peacock!!

Great work, perfect colors. wondrous.

apologize to yourself, immediately!!

;)

I'd just go with a diagional stitch across the whole quilt.. maybe with a shiney silver thread.

Have you thought about hand-quilting it?

If you decide not to keep it, it is the appropriate colors to donate to here:
http://www.qovf.org/

I think you have done a really nice job and it's very pretty. No idea on the quilting, other than doing cross-hatching as a couple of others have suggested.

I love it, send it to me, I will take it off your hands. It is beautiful and SID sounds great to me with variagated thread, red white & blue.

I would let this quilt be part of my home. I realy like it!

Your quilt is beautiful. Sorry I am no help with the quilting.

Whatever your reason for not liking the quilt may pass, but its a very pretty quilt.

I love using clear YLI Wonder Invisible Thread on the top and 50 weight DMC Machine Embroidery Thread in the bobbin. I never have to worry about matching colors.

This is a great quilt! I love the brightness, and the optical illusion of it. I would SID around each of the squares that surround each star. Do the red in red and the blue in blue. Where it overlaps the other color, just keep going! It will emphasize the illusion of the quilt, and might be enough with the stitching you have already planned around the stars and the stablizing you have already done to call it good.

Can I send you my address??? Your quilt is beautiful. Really like the colours - let's hope it grows on you. It truly is a lovely quilt. As for quilting, I would do simple quilting & when it comes to the binding, I would suggest a 2 piece binding(2 different colours) with the 1 piece wider than the other so you get a flange with a hint of colour(perhaps red) that would make it pop. Would perhaps take away from the white that you don't seem to like but I don't see it sooooo white. Hope this helps.

I love invisible thread. The new kinds are very thin- about the size of hair. My package of hobbs 80/20 says to quilt no more than 4" apart. I'm thinking with invisible thread that you could do a "star" in the center of each block- - like a big X corner to corner and then verticle and horizontal lines. That should cover enought blocks to keep it within the quilting guide lines. You may need to measure and make sure.

Ok, if you don't want this quilt, I'd be glad to take it off your hands...I love it, you did a wonderful job I see nothing wrong with it...soooooooo just put that beautiful quilt in a box and ship it on into Canada lol....

You have done a beautiful job. Maybe you just need a rest from it.

Okay, so you're not happy with this. Would you like my address...I'm not too proud to accept a quilt...even though I make them, I'd love to have this one as a gift!?

I think it's a beautiful quilt and difinitely not too white! I'll be glad to send you an addy if you want to get the horrible thing off of your hands! Seriously, you did a lovely job, and anything you decide to quilt on it will only set it off!

if you just quilt in the background areas, wouldn't that be enough? that way the main pieces would be featured more.

I have done a couple "Patriotic" quilts a couple different ways....one I did with variegated thread, ended up too busy for my taste. Another the time I tried using only matching solid color thread in each 'portion', liked that, but was very time consuming to keep changing the colors. The last one I did with all invisible POLYESTER THREAD (from Superior) and like it the best because (IMHO) nothing was fighting the strong colors and design.

You are already 'done' with the quilt in your head, the more detail and pressure you put into this quilting is only going to make you hate this quilt that much more.

I would recommend using invisible thread, a walking foot and just go up and down all your seams ( just keep in mind the recommended distance of your batting)

Stop over thinking it and just keep it simple and sweet and not overdone......IMHO:p

If you're still not happy with the white, what if you removed the final border and left it with the blue border?

It is beautiful! I would quilt it in feathers to suit the border.