Quilt Design in the Sashing? Suggestions appreciated!
 

I am almost finished a baby quilt I've been working on. I quilted everything in the quilt, except the white sashing between the star blocks. I feel like it needs to be quilted, but do not have any ideas on what quilting design will work well. I don't want it all to run together and look like 'mush!'

All suggestions are appreciated!

What about coming in 1/4" from either side and doing a line? It does need something because of the density of the rest of the blocks....

How about an easy loop or curls? I would keep it simple but since you quilted quite closely, you do need to quilt something in the sashing.

Tough call. My first thought was a double wavy line through the center of the sashing -- or even a cord. But the other part of me feels like the piecing is so modern that simply echo quilting the blocks might be a very clean & striking option. Assuming your sashing finishes at 2", you could space the lines out evenly every 1/2" or maybe instead go with a triple line in the center with 1/4" in between the lines.

The finished sashing is 1 1/2" wide.

I'm leaning towards several evenly spaced lines down the center of the sashing. I hadn't considered this, but think it will stand out from the FMQ, but still provide enough quilting so that it coordinates well w/the heavy quilting.
Thank you for the ideas!

I'm not sure what to say about the sashing, but I do have to say I love what you did with this - this quilt top would make a great one to practice fmq on - so many areas that you could do something in, but not be committed to making it look the same as another portion of it.....

Very pretty quilt so far!

I think your idea of several straight lines in the sashing will really highlight your great block quilting--and love the applique look of the stars.

It looks like a zigzag would be in keeping with the rest of the quilting and piecing. The quilt is very appealing. :)

I did like a continuous wave making 8 on top of each other. It can be added to if you want.

I like Tartan's idea of ribbon candy. But I would also recommend visiting http://theinboxjaunt.com/ for ideas and inspiration. Lori Kennedy has a lot of great quilting designs for sashing areas.

Another would be Sue Heinz "Drawn to Mastery" book that is nothing but sashing and border treatments. http://sueheinz.com/store/books/

How about a simple serpentine stitch. I use this a lot on narrow sashings and it looks nice.

I would use 'dancing' stars (stars with open loops)..... nothing real dense. The quilt is adorable!

I'm taking a guess that you're quilting using your DSM and not a quilting machine, right? It looks great however you're doing it. What about an easy 5 pointed star like how we used to make them when drawing them on paper? Don't know if this can be done continuous but simple stars to go with the stars in your blocks.

This was my first thought, also. Would go nicely with the rest of your quilting which looks great.

I like the idea of the ribbon candy on the sashing, too!

Good ideas presented so far.

What are you quilting in the larger sashing?

Nan

Keep it simple - figure eights or simple loops would look nice.

I agree with simple... there is so much going on inside your blocks that something simple would be nice... even just plain circles. If your sashing is 1 1/2 inches wide just do large circles (reaching edge to edge)... or figure 8's.

I am not going to weigh in on what you should do with the sashing because I don't know anything about that. What I do know is that your quilt is just smashing! I love the colors, piecing and your quilting is marvelous! Well done, my dear!!

Quilt is adorable. Your feathers Re gorgeous. Could you put some type of feather on the sashing.

I could not figure out how to update my original post, so I am replying instead.

Thank you all for your suggestions! So many ideas I had not considered. I have finished quilting the quilt in question. However, I now have many ideas running through my mind for the sashing on another quilt top that I am finished and will begin quilting as soon as I can layer it. Maybe not until after April 15. :-( Darn taxes

I left the 1/2" stars un-quilted so the would stand out. I used the suggested horizontal lines for the sashing. I was surprised to discover how difficult it was to sew a really straight quilting line, even with a walking foot. It's not done nearly as well as I would have liked, but it's finished. Given it's only my 4th quilt completely finished in the past 6-7 years, I'm still learning! This was all done on my DSM.

I will post a picture to the pictures section of the QuiltingBoard as soon as I've added the binding.

Thank you again for all your help!