How to Quilt the White Space? (machine)
 

I definitely want the curved circle designs on/around the squares. I also plan to hand quilt the appliqued dolls. I originally thought I would do an angular stipple in the white space, but now that I've drawn it out, I don't really like that. I considered doing the traditional matrix design, but I'd love to try something more unique. I'm just not sure. Here's a close up:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]534025[/ATTACH]

Here's a picture of the entire quilt top before I added the borders:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]534026[/ATTACH]

I think I'd like to try something that is more linear/angular rather than curvy in those white spaces, but I'm open to considering any suggestions. I've seen beautiful Sunbonnet quilts with feathered wreaths around the dolls, but I don't have enough space on my quilt for that to look nice.

I can do straight line designs or beginner/advanced beginner FMQ designs (I'm willing to try something that is an easier intermediate design), but struggle to quilt hooks. In the borders I'm doing a row of hearts (the little "flowers" in the pink border are actually comprised of 7 tiny hearts each) or some feathers. Here's the design I'm using for that:
http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M...d=1.9&rs=0&p=0

Many thanks in advance!!!!!

I personally think a softer, curvier fill would look better than angular. Your quilt top is lovely, you've done a lovely job and I look forward to seeing what design you choose.

Oh, also, does anyone know how I can make the circle things look more like a 4-petal flower? I've seen the same basic lines show as a flower, but I can't figure out what they did differently than me.

Is it just a matter of the right thread? I'm using Aurifil Bari to quilt the whole thing -- except maybe the borders. Perhaps using the light thread (instead of the green marker) will make it stick out better against the darker blocks???

http://www.hawthornethreads.com/imag...fil/a/4651.jpg

Could you grid off the white in squares the size of the colored ones and do your circle around those. Blend them in to where the dolls are.

I took this picture at MQX West in Portland in 2011. Sorry the picture is so dark.

The pic that Dunster posted is lovely! I'm one that likes some "curvey" quilting to help soften the angles. Your quilt top is pretty! Perhaps peeking at some other vintage quilts may give you ideas to base your unique designs on~~

Thanks, Dunster. That was one of the 3 quilts I used when creating the design, but then I couldn't find it again. I found another with a complete wreath that wouldn't fit, but the MQX quilt's wreath is on the same sized quilt as mine. I've just started learning to do feathers, but I guess there's no time like the present to practice. The only thing I'm a little bummed about is that I really loved the orange peel design & how if you look at it one way it looks like flowers. I will lose all that if I put the feathers in, but I guess maybe it will be worth it. I'll have to try a sample & see. :)

And thank you to Ruby, Tess, Mariposa who contributed ideas. I truly appreciate your feedback. I've looked at tons of photos on Bing, but nearly all of them have a simple matrix. I know that would look good, but I'd love to try something different. I saw another with a basic meander that I preferred to the matrix. Couldn't really find anything else.

I think it's the circles around the Sue's, rather than the feathers, that make the MQX quilt so attractive. You might be able to combine the circles and the orange peels into something new and beautiful.

oooooohhh. Now there's an idea!

I like the antique way of quilting Sunbonnet Sue and that is to crosshatch diagonal lines that match up with the chain.