Need some help please
 

This wall hanging is for a friend who has gone through two bouts of breast cancer, a case of melanoma, and numerous other physical problems. She is always very upbeat and always tells people, "I love you to the moon and back." I need some suggestions on how to quilt the center piece and you guys are always so helpful. I want it to look like a night sky, but other than quilting stars, I just don't know what to do. I quilt using my DSM, so please keep that in mind when making suggestions. Thanks *Ü*[ATTACH=CONFIG]414449[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]414450[/ATTACH]

You really don't want to downplay the wonderful applique on this, especially because it has such personal meaning to your friend. Quite honestly, if this came my way I would outline all the applique and just do a stipple or cross hatch in the background in matching thread color so that the star of this quilt is nothing but the applique and words. You could make the stipple hearts all over with swirls mixed in. But the main goal is to quilt the background flat so the message pops up off the surface.

I would put wavy lines under the girl to make it look like she is sitting on the ground. Then get gold thread and quilt stars, or silver thread and make straight lines coming from the stars, like they are shooting stars. Or even, lines from the bottom of the girl, making it look like she is "going" to the moon (to the moon and back?)

I like yngldy's suggestions! Having rays coming out of the stars would be really pretty.

Shooting stars is a great idea!! I have a little question. Will the little girl have a face? If so, maybe a couple of the stars and the moon could have faces as well. Like they are part of the same family....

Shooting stars, echo around the stars, swirls... I love your quilt. I would not add a face to the girl. Perfect the way it is.

I think I would sew an Asian inspired 'water' movement and put the occasional small 'star' ...lemme see if I have a pic...

Can't find a pic, but this may give you the idea. BOY this is harder with a mouse than a longarm!! LOL!
I played around and changed my 'thread' stars to a gold. But if I were quilting it, I would make the stars a lot smaller, relatively
Oh fer Pete's sake! Where's my pic???

Oh I hope this works...

No suggestions, just wanted to say that I love what you have done & sending prayers for your friend. :)

The idea of small hearts going upward from the girl to the moon came to me immediately. I'd quilt them in the same color as the background so as not to take away from the applique. You may want to add other ideas as mentioned as well.

Jan in VA

Love the quilt - your friend will feel so loved when she's wrapped up in it!

What a wonderful quilt. I think, if it were me, I would eco stitch around all the appliques & then a straight stitch from the left hand bottom corner to each of the stars with either gold or silver thread. Would make it look like all the stars & the little girl would be shooting to the moon. I am sure she will treasure it no matter how you finish it.

Very nice quilt - your friend will really love it! Lots of good suggestions for the quilting. Please let us know what you decide to do.

How about tying the centre making the threads look like stars. It is a beautiful quilt.

I like Jans idea with the hearts, what a great way to finish this quilt

Very nicely done!

How wonderful and personal. Best wishes for her complete recovery. Sounds like she is soldiering on in spite of the obstacles.

I agree, great ideas!!!!

Very cute!!!

Love what you have done, and I think I might quilt puffy clouds so as not to take away from the applique