What to quilt?
 

I'm taking my first EVER quilt top in tomorrow to get it professionally quilted (!). It's the sampled produced from the classes I took last year. The wonderful woman there asked me today what I would like to have done on it. I'm on a budget and she says she has a few ideas. What do you think I should have done? It measures 60x75". Thanks for ALL your info!

Congratulations on your finished top. I bet that felt good. I think if you could post a picture, we could give more input. Questions I have: How big are the blocks? how busy are the fabrics? Is there sashing? What kind of border do you have?

If the fabric is busy and/or you have a lot of different colors. it may be a good idea to have an overall edge to edge design. If there is sashing, it may be nice to have a rope or something like that in the sashing to set off the blocks and then have a design inside the blocks. Lots of options.

If cost is an issue, you do not want custom quilting. An overall panto or meander will be less expensive and still look good. Your LA should have some samples for you to look at and help with suggestions

She should be able to suggest as others have said a panto which is a pattern that repeats itself across the quilt. Just explained that you are on a budget and she should be understanding. Out here in my area, most LAQ that I know charge a penny per square inch for quilting services.

Congrats! on your first! photos always help in consults with the QB.

Yes, I was planning on posting a picture but for some reason couldn't do it last night. I'm hoping to post one today. Please keep me in mind and thank you so much for all your wonderful suggestions!

Here is the pic:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_...UU4MF85QmZneGM

Beautiful quilt--love the colors. I would go with a fairly simple pattern. Your longarmer will have some suggestions and will probably offer good advise especially if she wants your business again.
Sue

Thank you Sue! When you say fairly simple pattern, what do you mean?

Love your quilt and especially the turkey. Your quilter can give you some good ideas.

In addition as to what pattern or "kind" of quilting, also discuss color(s) and kinds of threads used, and who provides the batting? She will be able to share much info with you~~ :)

I'm to provide the top, batting, and backing. She says that she has several thread options to choose from. SO excited! I just want to make the best choice since its my first!

I would go with the advice the la person has. She will actually see your quilt top and be able to give you ideas

When you drop off your top, plan on spending a bit of time with the quilter to discuss what you want. You should get something in writing, stating the size of your quilt, thread selection, quilting type or panto name, estimate of final price and delivery date. If they don't provide a written contract, write everything down and both of you should sign it.
Lovely top. Hope to see you post the completed quilt.

I had my first sampler done with The Baptist Fan. I love it.

We ended up going with black thread and an overall pantograph "Swirling Water". Should be ready on Saturday or Monday.

Beautiful quilt. An all over computerized design or however she does those, turn out great and are much less expensive than a custom design, I really don't think this quilt needs a custom job.