hobbykat1955

I put together this top for my SIL who's children and their children (grandkids) drew on fabric sqs I cut up for them. I'm having a problem coming up with quilting the drawn sqs because I don't want the quilting to take away from the image. Any suggestions on how to quilt would be appreciated.
I will SID the Other blocks I made to go with those.
Each block measures 12 inches sq.

ragamuffin

I would go around the truck in the bottom left, around the wheels, and leave the name free. You could put the name on the truck and maybe some dates on the wheels. On the one to the right, do some lines next to the child's lines, then add the initials or name and a date. I would do the same on most of the others. Somewhere put the last names too. I think it is very nicely done.

QM

No other useful suggestions, but WOW, a great quilt idea! Such a fine memory quilt.

hobbykat1955

Thanks I did buy matching thread colors and did think abt outlining each...Only thing I could come up with on such large blocks and not wanting to take away from drawings.

dunster

I think fancy quilting within the drawings would enhance them, not take away from them. And if the drawings fade, the thread work would preserve the idea of the drawing. Lovely quilt, I'm sure it will be treasured for many, many years.

quiltingshorttimer

agree with the idea of quilting with matching thread around the shapes--kind of like you would need to do on a t-shirt quilt that had large logos--enough to keep it all together but allowing the drawings to be the focus.

Bree123

So many possibilities. Personally, I'd ask each kid/grandkid to pick a shape for me to quilt in their block (from a list). To add unity to the quilt, I'd pick the shapes based on what I see in some of the drawings (hearts, clouds, circles, arches, 6-pointed stars & butterflies). I'd either use a thin white cotton thread or a clear poly thread for quilting -- or maybe a very, very light grey. Depending on the drawing/shape, I'd either echo the shape or repeat the shape.

Other possibilities:
- straight line: quilt a 9-patch on point in those squares
- custom FMQ based on drawing: outline each drawing as much as possible & then use filler around it if needed (for the bottom right, try to group the scribbles into shapes as much as possible -- may need some input from the child)
- thread painting: change out your thread to match the color of each part of the drawing & outline it in the matching color; then fill with white or clear thread

ManiacQuilter2

I would outline the drawing just like SITD.

wildyard

I agree with this, just next to the drawn line, not right on it, and matching thread to the background fabric.

MadQuilter

If you use monofilament, the quilting will only enhance the patterns. You could use outlines on what is easy to outline and grids in the free spaces. It will be smashing no matter what you decide.