Boston1954

On some, yes. I think from the start. Others...well, I wonder how to quilt it when the top is done. I think that is how I have several tops not quilted yet. I am waiting for a signal from the quilt top.

quiltingbuddy

For me it depends on the quilt and maybe who it's for. My grown up son likes them puffy with less dense quilting, but if it's for, say, a child it will probably need more quilting. So I guess I let the quilt kind of tell me what it needs in the way of quilting. So I guess I think about it as I go. It's part of the process, and I love it all!

Auntie V

I am not a big fan of all of the fancy quilting designs or puffy quilts. Most of the time my quilting is SID or 1/4 inch echos. If not that I usually do grid patterns.

roserips

I never know how to quilt my quilts and just kind of come up with something at the very end. I really tend to like my straight lines for some reason and have never had feathers that I like so still trying to come up with a solution for that dilemma. thank you for posting this thread and maybe I will get some ideas here.

MargeD

I generally have a good idea for making a quilt, although sometimes the quilt talks to me and I go in another direction.

DogHouseMom

It depends on the quilt, and my processes may differ.

Sometimes I work through it when I'm in the LQS looking at fabrics and I can mesh most of it out there, then come home and finalize what I want to do.

If it's a fairly simple quilt, or a "free form" quilt (like a landscape) I'll just jump in and see what happens.
If it's a more complicated quilt that requires math, I use EQ.

the last quilt I designed on EQ took me close to a year to finalize the design (including colors - which changed throughout the project). I finally started the piecing in January and I have a LONG way to go yet. It's DJ with a modified setting.

paoberle

I have to look at the finished top before I can decide on the quilting. I'm kind of the same way with borders and binding.

FroggyinTexas

When I get to the long arm quilter and get her opinion. She is the quilting artist and I absolutely trust her judgment. So far I have never been disappointed. froggyintexas

PenniF

This is why i buy the W&N that only requires quilting every 10"....since i make my own patterns from blocks i've seen, I chose fabrics accordingly. I always leave the actual quilting part thought til last - and then often have to puzzle and puzzle over the best way to quilt it, since I only quilt on my DSM - but the batting choice really gives me so much more flexibility.