I'm a hand quilter. I hate doing everything in the ditch. I have taken things like hearts, leaves, etc. and used them instead. Is there any rule about what you use or can I keep doing what I have been? I've got one quilt top called the Kentucky Wagon wheel and I would like to use the Cherokee Rose as the quilting pattern as that is the Kentucky state flower. I have this thing about being different.
Okie3 (connie)

I don't see anything wrong with it. The quilt is your creation, so why not?

Anything that works for you is ok. After all it is your quilt. I think it would be great.

I think it would look great!

I do a lot of hand quilting when arther lets me and I often design my own motif to use. The wonderful freedom of quilting is there are no hard and fast rules. Your own imagination and desires are the only limits or 'rules'

Have fun with it! I've done quilts where I quilted children's toy outlines in the blocks, they always love them!

Enjoy,
Sharon

Hi,

As a hand quilter I never handquilt in the ditch. Even if I machine quilt I use a decorative stitch or at least a zigzag that strattles the piecing seam line. For hand quilting if I am following the piecing lines it is 1/4 inch on either side of the stitching line. I do this particularly if the item was handpieced. That way it brings out the design and reenforces the stitching of the piecing.
I love the stencils called continious line. They make it much easier to quilt a design as you don't have to keep tying off or sliding under. I have used and continue to use anything I can find to mark and quilt with. I have a collection of cookie cutters that make great quilting patterns. I collect them as memontoes of my vacations and future quilting patterns. You can even use molds like they make for jello etc.

Thanks everyone for the input. I don't feel so off the wall when I use stuff like bows, sea shells, and like some cookie cutters. I have made quilt tops that have embordy blocks,painted, a combintion, pictures of family, dogs, tractors, you name it. I'm doing a "Train Quilt" for my youngest grandson, he will be here this afternoon I'm anxious to see what kind of input I get from him cause he will have something to say.(6 years old and Grandma has him
spoiled rotten). Please excuse my spelling. It is not good at this time of morning. Thanks again! :D
Okie3 (Connie)

hi ,I only hand quilt and never do in the ditch. I found The Stencil Company on line www.quitingstencils.com and love it! Placed an order Thursday and hope they come today. To me, hand quilting is the best part of making a quilt. I use a floor frame that Hubby bought for my b-day 10 years ago and love it. So quilt whatever you like. There are no quilt police here. :D Ninnie in NC

I am a machine quilter but can totally relate to what you are asking. 1.) There are no quilt police
2) It's your quilt put whatever you like on it
3) Never rule out ANYTHING as a possible quilt design. I was in the section that has wall paper borders at Wal-Mart. I found a beautiful wall paper border that works up GORGEOUS on my quilts!
4) THERE ARE NO QUILT POLICE

Final rule

5) DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND NEVER RULE OUT ANYTHING AS A DESIGN.