I am making a QAYG using the D9P pattern and copied from Marykoch's example (thanks Mary, your's is beautiful!). I decided to make the reverse side a D9P also using just 2 colors. That's when I must have lost my mind ~ I tried to SID around my blocks. What ever made me think I could SID on BOTH sides of the 'road'? Now what to do ...Do any of you have suggestions of how to quilt this? I'm not a FMQ and so it needs to be fairly simple. Straight lines perhaps or use a template design? What do you think would look good from both sides?

Oops! No ideas, but it sounds like something I might have done!

The blocks look to be a mirror image of each other so when they are placed back to back don't all the seams line up exactly?

You could always cut new back blocks for the QAYG method and then use the second set of pieced blocks as a second quilt top.

Meander

Looking at the blocks,the back side blocks are identical to the front blocks. It does not look so on the picture, but you will turn them around when they go on the back. I assume they will be close. Might not be a good idea to SId, but how about a small design in some larger areas? Use template or make triangle. You won't notice if you are not exactly in the middle on the backside. Of course you could hand tie the quilt too. Good luck. Love the color scheme and pattern.

The blocks are mirror images, though it'd be next thing to impossible to get them to line up perfectly as you do SITD.

When doing a pieced back, you really do need to think as to how they are going to go together when it comes to quilting.

I think a second quilt might be the solution ... unless you want to do an all over meander or some sort of a panto-style design.

I agree with 2 separate quilts. I don't think you will be able to match up perfectly on each square.

You could do squares inside each of the big squares ... maybe 1/4 inch from the seam -- then it wouldn't matter so much of the seams don't line up exactly. You could use red thread on the black and grey side, and grey or black on the red and white side.

Work diagonally in increments that ignore your block sizes. Then no one will ever know what side you worked from.

I wouldn't even try to match. If you truly want it to be reversible, I think a meander is just fine. If you want to do something fancier than that--make 2 quilts. There is nothing wrong with a couple loop-de-loops in each block or even the good old fashioned X across each one.

You could always do straight lines 2 inches apart or you could try a simple meadering.

This is a great idea.

I would try straight line withthe walking foot on but instead of in the ditch just wiggle through the middle ina rough grid. It's quick easy and surprisingly effective.

I would trim the wadding to the same size as the blocks. Attach one side with basting spray and then use pins to align the pieces front and back using the seams as a guide.

you don't say what QAYG method you are going to use. You probably need some kind of grid for this one to retain your sanity. A 1" on the front ( cut 2" strips and sew on with a 1/2" seam allowance to both front edges). Your blocks will take it and look like they are being viewed through a leaded window if it is dark enough. Cut strips 1 1/2" for the back and fold and press them in half wrong sides together. Stitch them to one edge on the back through all the layers, turn the folded edge across and carefully top stitch just on the edge. This will give you a half inch grid on the back with a one inch grid on the front and a pair of stitched tracks 1/2" apart down the sashing grid on the front but it is zero hand sewing required.

Does that help? I love split nine patches. All the ones I have done have been single sided and meander quilted, but I haven't made any big enough to warrent a QAYG approach. let us know how it turns out!

best Becks

I would try straight line withthe walking foot on but instead of in the ditch just wiggle through the middle ina rough grid. It's quick easy and surprisingly effective.

I would trim the wadding to the same size as the blocks. Attach one side with basting spray and then use pins to align the pieces front and back using the seams as a guide.

you don't say what QAYG method you are going to use. You probably need some kind of grid for this one to retain your sanity. A 1" on the front ( cut 2" strips and sew on with a 1/2" seam allowance to both front edges). Your blocks will take it and look like they are being viewed through a leaded window if it is dark enough. Cut strips 1 1/2" for the back and fold and press them in half wrong sides together. Stitch them to one edge on the back through all the layers, turn the folded edge across and carefully top stitch just on the edge. This will give you a half inch grid on the back with a one inch grid on the front and a pair of stitched tracks 1/2" apart down the sashing grid on the front but it is zero hand sewing required.

Does that help? I love split nine patches. All the ones I have done have been single sided and meander quilted, but I haven't made any big enough to warrent a QAYG approach. let us know how it turns out!

best Becks

The back of your quilt is stunning!

I agree, its the only way to make both sides look good. You will never get the blocks to line up perfectly

An old-time hanging diamond?

Since your design is straight line squares, maybe a quilting pattern that incorporates curves or circles would enhance the finished quilt.

Meander.

If your blocks are identically sized, you can line them up. This is how I did it. First make sure that your tetanus shots are up to date.
Take the backing square and put a thumb tack through each seam intersection that you want to match up, working from the front of the block, so the point comes out the back.
Lay the block on a flat surface and CAREFULLY smooth your batting over, being careful not to stick youself!
Now lay the top over the batting. The thumb tacks will allow you to match the intersections. Pin the heck out of it so it won't shift when you quilt it then remove the tacks.
Again, this will only work if the 2 blocks are really close in dimension.
I used this method to center a motif on a pieced back with the front of the quilt.

If doing this, it may be easier to use the long flower head pins that you use for OBW ... and follow the same technique

Both are beautiful. I would do 2 separate quilts. Use solids on the backs of both.

I took a machine quilting class and the most useful thing I learned was diagonal wavy lines. I have a wavy line stitch on my machine which I make fairly long and then just go corner to corner. You can do it free motion also. Sometimes I do it both diagonals and sometimes only one. Of course I usually only make baby or lap size quilts.
Love you color choices

Maybe do 2" crosshatching on the diagonal.

If you have a wavy line stitch on you machine it works well.

I'm really going out on a limb... can you do BOTH stitch in the ditch AND hand-tying nearer the centers??? ( That might be a question for the board: Can you combine quilting techniques? )

...otherwise, make two quilts or meander.

Good luck... the squares looks great!!!

Why not find a full block quilting pattern you like and quilt each block--it will look the same on both sides and you will have a 2 sided quilt to switch around. I would not try to SID as it would be really hard to match up and keep matched for the whole block.

Okay....think OUTSIDE of the box! How about CIRCLES?
A juxtipostion of shapes also adds a surprise element.
You can make the circles any size you want. Trying to match the SITD will just look as if you made mistakes. Circles will look "on purpose" and will soften the quilt. Good luck with whatever you do. Your work looks soooooooooooo good.

Thank you everyone for the quick responses and ideas. I have so many choices ~ but I think I like the circle idea. Truth is that I have'nt completed the back blocks, so I could change just about anything at this point - to plain blocks or I've made one D4P and that looks pretty good too. I'm actually thinking of 1/2 D9P and 1/2 D4P for the back using the red/white combination; then use circles to create a bubbly effect. What do you think? I really don't trust myself to meander and definitely can't go with any type of SITD. I appreciate all the ideas and insight!

Love both sides of the quilt. I like the idea of making two quilts!

This is what I was thinking too! That way, you can continue what you have started & it won't matter when you are done, & both sides will look great! I don't think it will matter that the back in reversed, I think both sides look good, just change your quilting method to meandering & it will work out fine...

Diagonal through the center of some of the squares.

The Black, white and red block is beautiful. If you want them to match up, top and lining, you would need to baste and baste and baste. I've tried this with smaller quilts and learned after the first one baste, baste, baste along the block joining seams then swirl or something else in each block, Make sure the seams are still all lined up, then do a wavy design along each seam. It worked for me, but don't take my word for it.

Gorgeous colors together ... meander! And then don't tell anyone it doesn't line up! They'll never know! :)

Two quilts sound good to me.
Then diagonal lines from corner to corner all the way across the quilt. Simple and looks great.

I love red so of course my vote is to use the back of your quilt as a new top on it's own. It's gorgeous!! I tried to do straight lines on an old top before I learned FMQing and those lines were difficult for me just trying to keep them straight. Not to mention pulling my hair out when I was trying to keep the same amount of space between each somewhat straight line. Why not practice FMQing and then do a meandering pattern over the entire quilt if you wish to keep them together. They're both very nice! :-)

Meander is the way to go. Even if you do 2 quilts.....meander, it's fun and fast. Love the colors for both. Good luck and let us know what you decide. :D

How about a diagonal grid, spaced about 4 inches apart and ignore any of the stitched lines of the blocks?? That worked well for me once.

You will probably never line them up exactly. Even if every seam is identical ( no way that will happen..no one can sew exact seams that are not one tiny bit off).. even if you could, with batting, when you start to quilt them, the loft will pull one out of sync with the other. A meander or centered motif on each block & meander around each would be best.

Been there, done that!

That's what I would do...meander. Or if you are set on the SID, use invisible thread in bobbin and top.