How would you quilt this?
 

Hey all you lovely people! Just a quickie, I have started making the quilt topper for an i-spy quilt (my first ever commission, eeeee!). I havent got a clue how to quilt it though! Would you guys go for stitch in the ditch because there is already so much going on, or would you do FMQ with simple patterns?

eta: this is only 3 sevenths of it so far! not finished by a long shot

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n..._50_09_Pro.jpg

I like that, looks good. I LA so I would do a simple meander but for FM probably stitch in the ditch.

Ah should have mentioned that I dont own a LA :( I keep saying I should invest but i never do. I think simple would work well because its very 'busy'. Would it be acheiveable on a normal sewing machine?

You could do straight line stitching on the diagonal thru the corners of the blocks.

I would ditch the sashing and then I would stitch a square in each square (using matching thread show the stitching doesn't show) just to make sure nothing shifted with washings.

Why not put a shape in each block, like a sailboat, a puppy, kitten, flower? Goes with the theme of "I Spy"

What a great idea! If sailboats, puppies, etc. sound too difficult you could just do geometric shapes, like kites, squares, triangles, etc. Or make exactly two of each shape and the game is to find them both?

I just did a fairly large meander on my 3 YO grandson's quilt using my home sewing machine. It is doable and turned out fine. In fact his big sister said oh,look, puzzle pieces! As I FMQ a meander, I keep in mind the shape of lower case "N"s and "U"s which this time did resemble puzzle pieces. For your quilt, I would do some large areas of SID just to stabilize it first. It will somewhat depend on the type of batting you use, also, how closely it needs to be quilted.
Personally, I would not have the patience to quilt a design in each block, but that's just me. Otherwise, doing the diagonal lines through the blocks would work well, I think. Really cute quilt you have going there. Please show us the finished product:)

Thank you everyone! managed to get another row done, so only 3 to go :) I dont think I would be skilled enough at this juncture to do fancy patterns FMQ, as this will be the first. That means that I have an excuse to proctice too :D

Cute I Spy quilt. I have my squares and sashing cut for one, haven't decided on the cornerstones yet, may or may not use them.

Stitch in the ditch and then make an x across the big blocks. Can "keep on going" across the quilt with making the diagonal stitching.

That's what I would do. Keep it simple. That way those luscious fabrics can serve as an "I Spy."

You could use simple pictures out of a kids coloring book as the patterns for Quilting in each square like suggested above...

I am usually a minimalist with my quilting except with a child's quilt. I figure it will get dragged around and washed a lot. Because of this, I do quite a bit of quilting. With this quilt I would SID the sashing and perhaps do a small center square in each block. I would then do diagonal stitching thru the cornerstones across the blocks all the way. I think this would keep it safe no matter what the child did with it. Hopefully they will have it forever (my kids took there little kid quilts with them when they moved out!) Great quilt- so happy! I think the yellow cornerstone are the perfect balancing touch.
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What a darling quilt!

I agree with YC quilter, I would do straight, or even meandering lines corner to corner through the blocks, just keep it simple.

Do you and OP have a pattern for this or did you just make your own design? I found some fabric in my scraps that would look cute in this block, but I always seem to need a pattern:)

Depends what look you want and how much trouble you are willing to go to. I like the suggestions everyone has. I like the idea of doing something different in each block, but would keep it simple.

Yep, I would go with the animal in each square or whatever fabric it is. :)

I would do an allover meander. This is probably going to be a child's quilt that will be loved and used until it falls apart.

Allover stipple or squiggle FMQ would be my choice.

I would recommend an overall meander in the I Spy blocks and a linear pattern (or different linear patterns) in the sashing to show off your FMQ skills.