How to quilt this quilt
 

Hi,
I am new to this forum. I've made 2 quilts so far. This one was originally long arm quilted but I do my own quilting so I am a bit stumped on how to proceed with quilting this one. This is a throw rug size (1.25m x 1.8m)(49 inches x 71 inches).
The problem is that I was going to quilt straight across the quilt (the strips are 50mm wide). The bobbin thread with match the backing.
a) Should I use black top thread on the black and change the top thread when I get to the yellow/reds and back to black again for the other side (not cutting the bobbin thread when I change top threads). OR b) should I quilt across the black part then up the angle between the black and the colour and turn the quilt and quilt the other side of the black strip back to the edge again? And do the same with a yellow thread on the yellow/red part.

With a) I would have to thread in each of the little cut threads. There are 33 strips!! But the back would be neater.
With b) I am worried about turning the quilt all the time. I've read that you are supposed to quilt one way all the time to get the quilting even.

I thought about invisible thread (which I read about on here) but this is for DH and he will use it every might in winter and it will be regularly washed so I want it to last really well and not have thread ends poking into him.

I would really like some opinions on how to proceed. Thank you.

So pretty! Monofilament thread is very thin and not “pokey” though it used to be.
Either way if you’re going to do lines however far apart you might like, I would suggest doing all the black then all the color. When you get to the color do a few really small stitches to secure the thread then lift your foot and jump over the color starting again with tiny securing stitches and go to the edge. Repeat then go back and do the same in the colored area. The other way is to leave a long tail at each jump and knot and bury them.
Honestly I would start with the color section because it’s best to work from the middle out.
Or use a grey thread to blend with it all so you don’t have to worry about jumping and tying off.

Thanks. I thought turning the quilt might not be a good idea. :)

Consider, perhaps, straight line quilting vertically using black thread throughout?

I'm a proponent for clear 100% polyester thread. I use Gutermann color 111. It handles well. I match my bobbin thread to the backing.
bkay

Mkotch - I think that will detract from the fire.
I can't change the top threads through one line - I tested it and the tension goes haywire.

Bkay I've read the monofillament thread and you use polyester thread (not nylon) but there Guterman doesn't make a clear one do they?

I quilted one with a bright front and a dark batik backing and changed colors with each section, using matching thread top and bottom. The result was a very cool-looking design on the back.

I personally wouldn’t trust just a dark bobbin thread, since it might make dark dots in places on the top where you don’t want to see them.

Why not do the main part of the fire in some “fiery” shade, both top and bottom, and then quilt the background and sparks in something dark?

hugs, charlotte

That's yet another option!

you could do random wavy lines, from top to bottom, in a medium thread color -- something that would show up equally on the dark and the light. I'm thinking it could look like the heat rising from your fire.

Neat quilt!

I was going to suggest a horizontal serpentine stitch to simulate the way heat can create a shimmer, but Cathy’s idea is better!

Unfortunately those lines are beyond me. I'm only a begginer quilter with basic sewing skills and equipment! :)

Will your machine do a serpentine stitch for you?

I tried that by hand once, thinking how hard can it be, and the results were awful. But a lot of machines have it as an option.

I think you're covered on this either way. If you go with straight stitching and it isn't very straight, you can always consider that a "design element" that has it looking more like a fire. :)

hugs,
charlotte

I am good at stitch in the ditch!

That could work well. Not good at that, myself.

I would still consider using matching thread for the fire and background sections, which would look cool on the back.

hugs, charlotte

Yes that does sound nice. Thank you.
Stitch the ditch is easy as there is a line to follow!
I use a walking foot.
That and my 1/4 inch foot are my favourites for quilting and most things. I just have to remember to change the 1/4 foot for zigzags!

Their clear one is color 111. I buy it at Joann's. It handles well on all of my vintage Singer machines. I can't tell the difference between the Gutermann clear and any other thread I use in the way it sews..
bkay

Thank you.

Given that the quilt depicts a campfire, with sparks rising into the night sky, consider some free motion quilting. It would make sense to quilt flame shapes in the fire piecing (the warm colours), and maybe stars or galaxy shapes in the darker background.

You can sketch it out on a printout of your quilt photo, then practice on quilt sandwiches.

And I agree that quilting with the colours matching what you are quilting on would look great.

PaddingtonBear ... I am totally intrigued with your work. Well done indeed! Though I am curious as to the technique you used. Looks like a jelly roll quilt, yet to get the placement of the colours, that rules out the traditional jelly roll method. So, am thinking, did you piece each row, set it in place and move onwards? Or? Thanks!

My suggestion is about the thread choice. Look for a variegated in the reds/yellows of the fire. Or maybe even a grey/white.

The thread is fine enough, that the "right" variegation may not show much at all on both the colours and the black background. And could enhance your piecework.

Quilting wise, I am thinking of FMQ'd flames, all over. (And am meaning true FMQing rather than a computer generated repeat.)

For a new quilter, you are off to a great start. Can only imagine how much more oohing and aahing you are going to give us as you proceed! Congratulations!!

Nice quilt! Imo, I’d use a dark gray (almost black) for your background ditch quilting and a yellow for your centre. The gray will blend well imo.

No I don't use jelly rolls. I chose the material I wanted and cut it up into strips 62mm wide (so with a 1/4 inch seam they end up 50mm wide when joined). The idea is that they pieces don't match up so I just put them together on the 45* angle. The pieces are generally in multiples of 50mm squares and 50mm angles. I stitched them all together with white thread because I do a lot of undoing stitches and black is too difficult. I use a small stitch length so it doesn't show in the final quilt, especailly when I stitch the ditch.

I can't do free motion quilting so I'll stick with stitch the ditch. I can't finish it now before Christmas as we have family staying for a week and then friends staying for another week. So I will update mid January when I have to have it finished because I am expecting my first grandchild early February and I haven't made the baby quilt yet!

Thank you all for your help and kind comments.