Suggestions much appreciated ...
 

as to how I should quilt this double sided quilt.

i had thought of following the geometry on the reverse but as the two sides are not duplicates of each other I'm wondering if it will look rather odd on the front? Should I just go for random all over FM?

Thank you
Sheila [ATTACH=CONFIG]537178[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]537179[/ATTACH]

I think I would do an all over meander or an edge to edge for this one. Love both sides, whoever gets it will love it even more!

I think the diggers will be the top of the quilt but I guess it will depend on whether the young man it is made for is on a 'digger day' or 'red bus day'. I will use neutral grey thread I think.

I'd do a meander or something similar.

It is really, really difficult to match top and backing for quilting purposes, so I would definitely choose a random meander for the quilting.

That is a real difficult situation. Have you talked to the person who pieced this quilt what they want??

I would do a meander or straight, diagonal stitches across the quilt.

it was me that pieced it.

I hadn't thought of diagonal. Not sure if I'd trust mysel to get those straight.

What about a straight stipple instead of the traditional curvy stipple? The short length of each line makes it easy to do with a darning foot & I always hear people say that the straight stipples look "more masculine".

An all over quilt lines.

Just use some painters tape to guide you, that way you don't even have to mark the quilt. Or if you have a walking foot it likely has some guide bars that came with it, which is even easier to use. I've attached a photo of my walking foot with the guide bar attached so you can see what I mean. You just line up the guide bar to an existing seam or painters tape. A serpentine stitch would be nice as well (a wavy line) - the the photo you can see this stitch in the narrow gold border.

An an all over meander would look nice too, but it would probably take longer to do.

Thank you everyone. I went with a meander however if I'd thought it through a bit more I think I may well have used my walking foot and guide bar and tape as an extra precaution. I've almost completed the piano key border but may change tack if there's a place at which it will look fine from both sides.

Both sides are very pretty. As for the quilting I would do an overall meandering. Can't wait to see what you decide.

Very pretty quilt. I was going to suggest meandering but I see you already decided. Could you post a pic when you are done with it please? I would love to see it

I'd do a meander or a cross hatch. Honestly I think a meander would enhance both sides very nicely.

Both sides of the quilt are wonderful and an all over meander would probably be best, and suitable for both sides.

Really nice quilt, and however you quilt it will make some lucky person happy.

I have nothing as far as suggestions since you have received so many. I am just so anxious to see the finished. Love the fabric.

I think it's great that your buses don't mirror each other (more lifelike) so I don't think it would matter which quilting option you chose. Such a cute quilt!! On your second quilt, perhaps think of stitch in the ditch with your piano keys border then meander inside that. Just another idea...

Love your quilt. I agree with the others that suggest an overall or side to side meander. Maybe a leaf type pattern that is connected?

where did you find the construction fabric and pannel. My son saw this and has asked for a big boy quilt with that fabric. hehe

From Pete's Treasure Trove, an Amazon seller. Have found a few fabrics there that are difficult to get in regular stores. It's really nice fabric and best of all not babyish. The young man this quilt is for has special needs but at 21 is too old for the multitude of more babyish transport fabric. The London bus fabric is very cool. Judging by a pic sent by his mum is identical to the Roman blind in his room. I've sent her pics of the two sides. She reckons he will be in raptures with his diggers and buses.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]538825[/ATTACH]I tried to be a smarty pants by combining a meander in the centre panel with crosshatch around the borders. I didn't like it, or rather I would have if I'd done a perfect job with the straight lines, but I didn't! Omg so much unpicking to do with Xmas racing round. Managed to deliver it the week before Christmas after re-doing it with an all over meander. Here is Kyle delighted with his quilt.

Well done! What a great photo of a happy recipient! Brought a tear to my eye!

Cheers Jan

It would be nearly impossible to line up the two sides to do linear quilting that would be nice from either side. What about finding some images of buses and trucks, road signs and other truck and bus things and quilting them randomly on the quilt?