So--with this quilt: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-142105-1.htm I really want to use yellow on the top and a deep red to match the back----don't want the quilting to show easily on the back (I'm still new to this) but don't want a deep red on the front either.... and on a practice square it looks dotted on top. So--is that a bad thing? Or a choice? For this wild top--I don't think it looks bad and may fit right in. lol But if it's considered poor quilting...I'll change.

No quilt police here. If you like it, go with it. It sounds really neat to me.

I think that it will show dotty a little when you use such contrasting threads...only thought to reduce that might be if you can make do with a slightly smaller needle. That being said, if if the dottiness (is that a word?) works with the overall design, I say go for it!

If your dots can't be eliminated and you're wanting to hide it a little more, what about using a variegated thread for your top?

your upper tension might be too tight.
Here's an explanation that might help.
http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/fcs/FACTSHTS/CT-MMB-213.pdf

In my experience, much of the "dottiness" disappears when it is washed. With that top, I don't really see the red dots as being a big deal. It is so colorful, no one but you and maybe a quilt judge would notice.

I practiced some more and it gets dottier (lol) when I make the daisies...so I switched the top to a lighter red and kept the deep red for the back.... thanks for your replies!!!

We call it "freckling" around here. Also in my experience it relaxes in the wash and disappears.

Glad it's working out, a neat looking quilt.

I tried to do that on purpose once... it disappeared in the wash...

Turn down the tension on the top thread so tht the red from the back doesn't show Keep adjusting till you get it centered in the quilt sandwich. No reason for it to look polka dotted from the front or back.

It's DONE!!! I can't believe I did it. I don't want to do it again. lol NO puckers!!!

Good to know! I have had this problem with some of my quilting too!...

I think it'd be fine with regular sewing, but free motion is my fault I think... inconsistent speed....

Yeah Karla. Glad it worked for you. I think the size of needle makes the difference as well when I do this. Glad you had lots of help here too. BTW I have very inconsistant speed when fmq too. LOL.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I was so pleased with how consistent my stitches were with all the floral projects--SMALL floral projects...but this size presented a different experience. I didn't like that my quality went down... but I don't know how it could have been helped. Lesson learned--use a LAer for big stuff. But I'm glad I did this one. Love the daisies added to the meander. :thumbup:

This was a great couple of pages of information on tension. I printed it out to keep on hand so I'll have some idea of what to do when my quilting is "off" .... instead of just screaming. :D Thanks for posting this!

Yayyy. Don't you just love it when you finish a project and there are no major problems? lol