Need some advice on quilting this one...
 

I am making this quilt, design by Sarah Bissell, for my daughter and SIL for Christmas. Not doing anything fancy, just SID so far. I have quilted the first two rows of blocks, as you can see in the photo. On each one, that leaves a 5"X 6" rectangle unquilted. The batting is cotton-- Warm and White. My dilemma is whether to leave the 5x6 rectangles unquilted, or quilt some design there... By quilting in them it emphasized that one piece over the other pieces in the block, which have no surface quilting, only SID. By not quilting them, is the cotton going to bunch or shift or tear up? I know the batting says you can quilt 10" apart, but we all know that's too far apart for that kind of batting.

What do you think? I'm tempted to leave the blocks as they are now, but don't want those big ones to tear up or bunch inside...

How about trying one with a rectangular echo quilt line 1" in from the long edges, and 2" inches in from the short edges? That would repeat the rectangle theme of the whole quilt.

a simple flower or swirl in each one might work

I think I'd quilt something in them. The SITD doesn't really say "pattern" to me, so you could do any design you wanted in the big squares. As for designs, I think I might just follow the pattern in the fabric. Great looking quilt!

So you guys do think I need to quilt something in there?

Thanks for the ideas.

I thought about doing that-- each one different. But then that piece is emphasized and the other parts of the block are not. Will I need to go back and quilt the other pieces as well? I need to get this puppy in the mail for Christmas, lol!

Beautiful scrappy quilts. I would do a large meander, stipple or some kind of quilting.

I agree with the echo quilting idea. It would keep the rectangle look better and not stand out as the only quilting.

Why not just quilt an "x" in each one??

Your fabric is busy and beautiful enough to stand alone without additional quilting, and the W/N will be OK without quilting further.

I agree with this. Also, you will create a sort of secondary pattern when all of the 'x's are done which will add a little something to the quilting without making it overwhelming or taking a long time.

Ding ding ding ding!!! This is the answer I was hoping someone would give me! Thank you Jackie...

This is an interesting idea too...

Whatever you decide to do will be fine, it looks great so far

so very pretty!

What a fun looking quilt - love it and no matter what you do, it's going to be the right thing.

I agree with this too.

It is a beautiful quilt and does look great just as it is. If it will be washed and used a lot I would put more quilting in it.
Enjoy

I don't like to leave that big of a space open either, I want a quilt to be able to be used and laundered as often as needed.
I would rather be safe than sorry :) :) :)

What about a rectanglur shaped swirl within these bigger areas??

I have no advice but that is a gorgeous quilt whatever you decide!

Thanks for all the advice... I tried the echo rectangle inside the big rectangles, and didn't like the look. So I switched to the big "x"s that so many of you advised. It looks great! I am putting the binding on now, and will post a photo when it's done and washed.