I need your help/opinion/ideas! Please!!!
 

I have this top done......I have black Kona for the back. It is for a silent auction in 2 weeks. It needs quilted.....

But HOW?
Here's my options at this moment:

1. Put it on the Little Gracie Frame and FMQ an all over meander with black thread.

2. Pin it (or spray baste) and do straight line quilting (with black thread)in the black 1/4 inch from both sides of the seams and then 1/4 inch from the seams in the colored rectangles with matching thread. (I have a walking foot to use on this)

3. Go to my air conditioned bedroom and procrastinate some more......


I'm looking for something easy as I still have 9 days of school left and am limited on my evening time as the lawn and garden are calling me, too.

Option #2!

lovely! i would not meander all over it with black thread-
but it is your choice- i think the procrastination option is out though! forget that one & get it done- then you can show us a new picture & have one ALL DONE! you have all summer for the lawn & garden :)

I agree with option 2.

Beautiful quilt! I like option 2, but 3 doesn't sound so bad either. :)

I was thinking option 2 also. no destraction that way.

I like the meander, but I'd use a varigated thread in the colors of the quilt on both the front and the back.
Whoops, that wasn't an option.

How about big and little circles all over it, kinda like bubbles? I have been told that when you have a quilt with alot of squares/rectangles, that quilting circles or curves adds some softness. LOVE the fabrics and the quilt. The black fabric really complements the other fabrics. Post pix when done (if you don't pass out first). I have 18 days of school left (work, that is, as a speech therapist) until summer break. The end is always the most hectic and challenging.

So, so pretty!!!! Definitely option #2. It's much too pretty for black squiggles!!!!

I was thinking the same thing! Varigrated thread meandering will make the backa show stopper too!

As much as I absolutely hate straight line quilting (I don't hate the look I just hate doing it LOL) I think option 2 would look the best, or stitch in the ditch with black thread, then you won't have as many thread changes.
A swirly design would also look good but with a clear thread, but that is always tricky when you are not sure how the quilt will be treated afterwards, a black thread would be too distracting to your gorgeous quilt. Good luck with the auction :) :) :)

Option 2. It will enhance the design better.

Option #2, it would enhance and complement the design of the quilt.

If it were my quilt, this would be my option.....I love the colors and stitching in the ditch would take me too long!!! Love FMQ!

I agree...black might be to harsh for the pretty colors you used in the blocks. A verigated thread would tie it all together and have a softer look.

Option 2 with a short stop at option 3 :) The top is great - think the black thread all over would take away from the colors of the squares - just my 2 cents

this was my thought as well

I vote you do option #2 and I'll take care of option #3 for you.

where is the wine bottle?

option 2, but not black thread.

Option 2. It looks like stained glass windows, and I would hate to hide the "glass".

Option 2 in the ditch. It's a beautiful top!

Couldn't have said it better! It's a beautiful quilt! Good luck with the auction!

I agree! Lawn, garden, housework, laundry, sleep :shock: (lol!)---all that can wait! Git 'er dun!

Instead of quilting 1/4" from the seam, I'd do "stitch in the ditch" with the black thread.

I have a 3rd option, which I think would be a little easier. It would be to use black thread, a walking foot, and a serpentine stitch down the middle of all the black sashing. The advantage of a serpentine stitch is that you can sew it very fast and not be overly concerned about staying exactly on the line (or in the middle); small variations don't show up in a serpentine. I am suggesting just one line down the middle because the sashing is narrow and it would cut the amount of sewing time in half (compared to doing the serpentine on top of each black seam).

Lovely quilt. Option 2 with a little dash of option 3 thrown in every now and again for good measure.:)

Got chocolate, to go with that wine?

I would go with #1. Just get it done. You sound like my daughter. :-)

#2 more time consuming but better....

Very nice!!!!!!

Definitely #2...It's so perfect just the way it is that I wouldn't want the quilting to distract from the design. Beautiful job. Just my opinion... from one Ohio Buckeye to another :o

Wow, this is so pretty, and will be no matter what you do on it!

The all over quilting is my choice.

I agree with "hopetoquilt" : little bubbles!! when you have lots of rectangles, you need motion to break it up. But, then again I am a longarmer, what do I know!! Do what you think is easier for you, so that you can get to that garden and the sunshine! lol!!! It is a beautiful quilt, and I would want to keep it!!

I vote for #2

Sorry I do not know enough about quilting to offer help, but I can comment that you created a beautiful quilt.

option 2, but along with that straight stitching in black sashes.......do maybe a gentle S stitch (maybe a built-in) in the recs, as that is a large piece of unquilted fab....and will be more secure with a line of stitching within it.....jmho

I'd pick #2 and then do #3 when you are done!!

I Love it, the fabric choices make it look like stain glass. I like the varigated thread idea.

It will be beautiful no matter how you quilt it.