you definitely have to secure those blocks either with a SID or serpentine as suggested...then in those signature blocks SID or do an X or something in the colored parts of the signatures to lock that down further, and in the pic block(s) outline that pic to lock it in further. that should eliminate the blousey look......

What a great going away present. I like your colors and your quilting is nice. I'm no one to offer advice as a novice, but reading all the help info is a great help to me.

How about criss-crossing the blocks so that there is an "X" in each one?

I have no suggestions to help, but it's a pretty quilt!

I can't help on this one. Next time do quilting of whatever sort in order. I always quilt next to quilting and just do a large stipple or meandering stitch. Make sure your top is flat when you start pinning, I use large safety pins. Don't take out too many while you are quilting. The type of batting you use doesn't matter, I use poly batting.

Wow. You've done a tremendous amount of work on that. It looks great, bTW. I'm reading along and learning with you since I wouldn't really know the answer either.

I would definitely do more quilting...SID is one way but I like the idea of using a serpentine stitch as well makes it more interesting looking on the front of the quilt as well as the back...

Go around each block, inside and out. a Serpentine (squiggly) line would work if you free motion it...but even just using your zig zag on a medium width, with a long stitch will work ok. Use the zig zag that is small stitches, not just a zig and a zag...That way you can use a walking foot to do the stitching. I'd use a matching thread or invisible thread.

I agree w/ the probably not enough basting. If you go back to your table top machine, make sure you baste again.

I am not a fan of stitch in the ditch because if you miss the ditch, it can look sloppy. Just my opinion.

I'd probably put an X going thru the boxes. You can use tape to mark the straight lines.

I would definitely wash your quilt before doing anything else to it. It just might shrink the puffs out.