Quilting a scrappy
 

This should be such a simple thing but I can't think how to quilt this bugger! It will be a utility/charity quilt so was thinking overall meander with white thread. Then again that seems like a cop out and I feel I should put a little more effort into it. Want to keep the integrity of the white "X's" but feel anything more would be overkill and a FMQ design will be lost in all the colors. Prefer to FMQ on my mid arm since that will be the easiest and fastest. Ideas?

http://filminthefridge.com/2012/07/1...strings-quilt/
http://sewquickly.com/tag/string-quilt/
http://milliesquilting.blogspot.com/...ng-quilts.html
Here are a few to see the quilting. Luann

I don't think meander/stippling would be a cop-out. The whole purpose of the quilting is simply to hold the pieces together and keep the batting from migrating into lumps. And since this is intended to be a utility quilt and not a show quilt or wall hanging, meandering or stippling will serve the purpose quite nicely. Lovely quilt, by the way. :D

I would do some type of custom quilting in the white sashing -- ribbon candy, loops or "l and e's" or something like that and then fill each inside square -- you could either do the same fill in all, or separate ones in each. I'd probably go with something curvy since the quilt is so linear. Have fun!

I did a similar quilt and just did some "S" shaped designs across (similar to ribbon candy), using a "S" template. I did them to break up the stripes for some texture without overpowering the quilt. I used a somewhat neutral thread.

i'd use my serpentine stitch to quilt on the white lines. then i'd do a single design in the center of each colored block... probably using my embroidery machine

I agree nothing wrong with a meander at all.

It's your life and your time, but if the quilting is just to hold the quilt together and you are giving it away, I'd recommend the meander and go on to your next quilt.

A lot of people who receive charity quilts don't pay any attention to the quilting. What they notice is the design and colors of the fabrics. It takes someone quite a bit more "aware of quilting" than the average recipient of a charity quilt to notice all that work. So, I'd suggest, "Keep it simple". (I left off the last S as it's not very nice to say to a stranger!)

I only do meander FMQ. I find that even though I often think the design will overpower my piecing, it never does. It always becomes just another part of the overall quilt, less noticable than the piecing.

I love these scrappies. They give a beveled look to the quilt. I think a meander would look nice or a loopy.

I love your scrappy. so pretty. i'd do a squiggly script L along the X

Made a couple of those trying to use up my scraps. Here's how I quilted it on my long arm. Since the quilt was in reds and blues, I quilted using navy thread so it showed up on the backside nicely.

I have used meandering on a string quilt just like that and it turned out fine. The busyness of the quilt calls for a simple design.

I would practice a new design on the entire thing in white, or pastel thread, so as not to overpower the white. The bold colors of the strings will mask any oopses and you'll be more confident with the design when you're done. I look at each quilting project as a snapshot of what I"m capable of at the time. If I don't stretch myself, I'll never get better.

White thread will be great.....the stippling on the midarm will be quick and really the best....
Happy midarming......
Love the white....I am on to trying this quilt with my strips...Thanks for sharing the white mid strip.

My first thought was a nice easy meander. Your white X's will still show up just fine. Since your intent is for this piece to be a utility quilt, let it be simple and stunning. Another other option could be a diagonal cross hatch. White/cream/gray thread would be just fine. It will blend in easily with all of your glorious colors.

I am far from expert, but maybe meander just the coloured parts leaving the white unquilted (or ditched), technically this should enhance the white elements. It is a lot of messing about though.

A meander is perfect for this quilt, it doesn't take away from the design. You could use a variegated thread, that would look nice to.
Sharon in Texas

Oh, it's very attractive but I'll leave it to others to suggest quilting patterns.

Wow, I have never considered meandering a cop out - I do no think I will ever be able to master anything other than meandering and no one has ever complained about it. I donate quilts to my guild each year, always give a quilt as a gift and have even been commissioned to make quilts. Meandering is beautiful in its simplicity or can ever be considered complex on a larger quilt. Do what your heart suggests.

Love the scrappy look. I think meander would be a good choice.

a panto would work well