Need quilting ideas
 

I am close to finishing my "dream quilt" - 20 appliqued white snowflakes on a solid red background. Each 18" square has one of 4 different style snowflakes appliqued on it. I need help deciding how I will machine quilt it. The original pattern shows each snowflake echo stiched and then "rays" radiating out from the snowflakes to the edge of each square. (Much like sun rays.) Each square is ditch-stitched around the perimeter and has a row of echo stitching inside the ditch too. While it's okay, the quiliting on the pattern pictures doesn't really do anything for me. There's not much room between the individual elements of each flake. But there is substantial space between the snowflakes and I want to make the best use of it to set off the snowflakes as much as possible. Any suggestions?
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I'm in no way qualified to make quilting suggestions, but I do want to say those are stunning blocks. No matter how you finish it, please share some pictures with us.

How abour echo quilting each snowflake, then a snowflake design in the negative space created when 4 blocks are sewn together? They are gorgeous....

Those are gorgeous! I love the original idea of the echo and the rays. I'm a beginning and don't understand the rest of what you were saying so I'm not much help there. I also like the above suggestion of a snowflake design in the negative space. Please, please post a pic when done. This is going to be beautiful!!

Wow they are gorgeous. I also love the idea of the echo and then rays, maybe a snowflake quilted where 4 blocks meet?
Could you share where the pattern comes from or what the name of the pattern is?

Wow! Snowflakes are a love of mine, and yours are amazing! Sorry that I cannot help with quilting, for I am hopeless in that area and an amateur. I do echo others in that I must see the finished quilt!!

I agree 100%! Gorgeous!

Oh boy, what beautiful pieces.

Wow, those snowflake blocks are so pretty. The red just sets them off. I don't know much about the quilting part but would love to see pictures when you finish.

Just circle around each snowflake a couple of times and then do trellis not too close and I would put an extra piece of batting behind the flake in the circle to raise it up above the trellis. I would quilt in. Red to match background.


They are beautiful the bright red is wonderful contrast

I would use white thread to quilt snowflakes of all different sizes around the appliques, with a larger one in the space where four blocks come together. If you do a search of longarm pantographs, you will find several very pretty snowflake designs you can use, even if you don't have a longarm. They can be quilted individually by FMQ, or however you choose by hand. I think you are going to have to do some stabilizing quilting within each appliqued snowflake, in the tiny spaces between applique pieces. Your blocks are absolutely gorgeous!

Maybe use silver thread, or a white that sparkles (if they make such a thing) to add the twinkle.

Stunning blocks

I love your snowflakes. I would stitch around each one and then stipple in the red background to make the snowflakes really pop. I would use red thread in the background so as not to distract from the snowflakes.

I think cross hatching would look good and not compete with your outstanding work. Just love your work!

to make sure the minimum quilting requirements are met, i'd start with the centers. they all seem to be star-like. i'd quilt around each of those. after that??? your blocks are beautiful!

Oh my ... what absolutely lovely applique!!! So neat, so precise, so uniform!! BRAVO!!

I'm thinking perhaps quilt a snowflake (perhaps 1/4 the size of your flakes) in the area where the 4 squares join (and a half flake if only two squares join on the edges), and fill the remainder with micro stipling ... or some other micro stitching (loops, Mctavishing, etc). This will fill the bulk of the negative space with something other than just background (ie stipling) but it will still make your applique the star of the show. In some places where the space between applique pieces is minimal, just echo or run a single stitch between each to make each section pop.

This is assuming you were not planning on sashing.

Those are the most beautiful snowflakes I've ever seen. Please post a picture when you're done.

Wow, that is pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your blocks are fabulous! I think I'd do a snowflake where the four blocks meet, but then, will that take the eye away from the snowflakes? You don't want that to happen.

You gal's are the best! Great ideas & so very encouraging! I was planning on quilting around each element of each snowflake. I hadn't thought to quilting a snowflake in the blank space where the corners meet - I love that idea! I think if I quilt in red it shouldn't take away from the appliqued flakes too much. (But honestly, I'm tempted to use something sparkly too!)

WOW, great work. I agree with the others, do echo then rays on the edges.. you must post picture when finished quilting it.. WOW

Thank you! I found the pattern in the January 1993 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine and have been saving it all these years. I have also found reference to it on the internet at the International Quilt Study Center & Museum.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS!!!! So beautiful and wonderfully done!

Probably four of the most stunning applique blocks I've ever seen!!!!

How about a red metallic?? Or even a red with a lot of sheen to it (poly or rayon).

Wow. So striking. I am in the process of collecting fabric in blue and whites to make a snowflake quilt. I hope it turns out as striking!

How beautiful, while I can't offer any advice on how to quilt them I certainly understand Why you want the best to highlight their beauty. I think I would pm Chrisma (I hope that's correct), everything I've seen of her has been magnificent.

This gets my vote!! Beautiful snowflakes!

Maybe echo? I'm not qualified. Photos, please and thank you when you're finished.

If you want a red metallic, Superior Threads has a red # 62 or for even more sparkle their Glitter threads have more bling! Glitter # 130 Ruby, would be my choice.

I really like the idea of doing a snowflake where the blocks come together then some sort of heavy quilting I really like mctavishing to make the applique blocks pop and the quilted snowflakes stand out.

I have to tell you while I am not much for applique, I cannot believe that you completed an entire quilt of snowflakes. I am so impressed and can hardly wait to see the finished product. The final result should be gorgeous.

Gorgeous blocks! Would love to get that pattern and try it. Would you please give us the particulars? Thank you!

Just gorgeous! I think the quilted rays would look pretty. Or you could always stipple...

I can not help with your quilting question but I want to say the blocks are amazing

Wow! Can't wait to see pics when it's finished - any quilting you do will only accent the beautiful work you've done here.

Wow! It's already been said that is going to be a gorgeous quilt! The blocks are stunning! How long did it take to hand appliqué the flakes? Well worth it, no matter how long!

These are beautiful.

How Beautiful! The snowflakes stand out so well in contrast, I would do something simple so as not to distract. Maybe even a traditional diagonal grid.

WOW! THIS IS STUNNING,FOR SURE..! No matter what you decide to do, I know it will be a show stopper!
Be sure to post pics !