I asked MIL and she said that wasn't on purpose. So she didn't mean it that way, but it can definitely be left. I think I will just leave it and do the echo quilting :P

I would leave it just the way it was stitched. Unless you plan on using it very hard in the future it should be just fine. How were you planning on quilting around or on top of the appliques? It is a very attractive quilt.

I think that is a good idea. Will you do it by hand? The quilt is amazing and the stitches look great.

Maria

I love it the way it is. She may not have meant to do it that way but it looks great. I'm glad you are going to leave it and echo quilt around it. Show us a pic when you get it done.

I vote with Jan. To me, the petal you redid looks better but the original has a folk art look that some people really love.

If you really hate it, maybe you could do some machine stitching. Look at Amma's post "What I learned today...." Her decorative stitching on a pieced block looks really nice. Maybe you could do that with the applique.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with her stitches. From what I can see they are even and neat. But if it is something you WANT to do - I'd say re-do them. If it's something you will come to resent - don't even start... you'll regret it in the long run. Let us see more of what you decide to do - I really like the quilt!

Actually, I think the large stitches add to the charm and character of the quilt.

I saw an entire book about the kind of straight stitching of applique shapes you are talking about. This was a very popular method of doing applique when sewing machines were still relatively new and is a fully acceptable method. However, it seems to me you would have a problem trying to twist and turn that entire quilt top under the machine (since it's not individual blocks anymore) to stitch around the edge of each applique.

Personally, I'd add back the big stitches on the one petal you re-did byhand and just move on to actually quilting the top.

I also like it just as it is.

Oh this quilt is beautiful, I am tending to side with the majority here & advise that maybe it should be left just the way it is. It will add to the charm of the overall picture as it does have a "Folk Type" theme.

Tisha

I thought her stitches were just fine. A large blanket stitch of sorts. I would've just quilted it as is.