I take my que from the quilt top. If it is obviously a child's quilt, I try to put something not so serious as a quilting design. For example, I had a quilt to do that was mostly made with Flintstone fabrics, so I put dinosaurs on it. But if the top is has a contemporary, geometric feel to it, I might use quilting that is really curvy to soften it a little. If it is an applique design, I respect the applique try to enhance that type of design. If the top has a lot of rusts, gold and browns in it, I might use a leaf pattern. I truly do try to "listen" to the quilt top.

While I do take my 'cue' from the quilt top design I also like to improvise. I will sometimes take a copy of the whole quilt top design, put it in a plastic sleeve, and then use wipe away marker to 'try out' various designs.

If you can draw it you can quilt it. So practice drawing.

The more you look at the quilts of others and look at the various resources available: books and web sites, the more you open yourself up to doing more yourself.

ali

Thanks everyone you all have been very helpful,will try soon and have a seam ripper handy

Oh yes, another trick is to use a patterned fabric on the back and quilt from that side following the pattern.

thanks i never thought of that