Need some ideas
 

I have had this quilt sandwiched and all ready to be hand quilted since October 2013. I started to hand quilt it twice but ended up ripping the stitches out. I tried diagonal and in the ditch but didn't like what I saw.

Have you ladies and gentleman out there any ideas? I am hand quilting and intend to use metallic embroidery floss. It has wool batting and i am conscious that the constant ripping out of threads is not a good thing. Would appreciate any ideas. Thank you.

very pretty, love the borders!!!!

I'm sorry I don't have any ideas. The quilt is beautiful.

What about a small leaf-like design in each square going from corner to corner and pointing in the direction of the Bargello waves. Kind go like this but a double curve instead of straight lines

\ / / / \ \ \ /

It's hard to draw using a keyboard but maybe you get the idea.

Well, I've seen those quilted with stitches going from corner up to corner and down again the other side. like the burgundy fabric, follow that. then the blue and so on. Makes a nice movement of the pattern and simple to do. Look up Images of this pattern to see some. I've yet to make this pattern myself but it's on my list.

Beautiful, great colors. I like the borders.

Metallic emb floss...how durable is that?

How about quilting feathers that will follow the Bargello pattern up & down? Maybe SITD in the pieced & orange borders. Then more feathers in the black border. Whatever you do, it sure is pretty!

don't have any ideas, but it is gorgeous.

How about opposing feathers? Large ones that get smaller towards the top of the lightest color? and then opposite direction, but the same feather?

Beautiful!

Thank you for all your lovely compliments and suggestions. It is really appreciated. Glad you like the quilt.

Awesome quilt! Since so many straight lines, maybe something circular?

I would keep it simple and just quilt in each square so I wouldn't have to try to quilt the seams. Maybe two straight lines in each square except for the blue and yellow and let that pop those two colors. I might stitch inside each square in a square but I don't know how big those squares are.

The largest piece measures, 5.5cm by 6cm, 4.5cm by 6cm, 3.5cm by 6cm, 2.5 by 6cm and 0.8cm by 6cm

Pieces in the borders(orange borders) are all 3.5cm by 6cm, (black borders)4.5cm by 6cm

As there are so many pieces, I am trying to find a simple yet pleasing quilting pattern. I just want to get this monster finished before September in time for my son's birthday. Thank you for your suggestions. :)

That's something I had not considered. There are quite a number of pieces to quilt into but a good idea, thank you.

Thank you for your suggestions. I have tried looking up the images of the pattern and there are loads but very little detailing quilting post sewing the top. I like your suggestions and the others as well. i am thinking maybe I can include a little of everyone's suggestion as the quilt will allow this in the various borders etc. I am still thinking! :)

Thank you. I would like to include feathers and hadn't thought of that as an option before. I think that I could get that in the black border as that is wide enough! Yippee!! I hope my quilting skills are up to par! LOL Quick learning curve here! I have never attempted feathers before. Always a first time for everything, seeing that this is my first Bargello that I made without a pattern. :)

I have used embroidery threads since I started quilt making in 2001 and have never had any trouble. The embroidery floss is 6 strands thick and as durable as quilting thread and I always wax the threads to protect them when I am quilting. They are also thicker than the metallic threads for machine quilting. So, for me the threads work fine and are easily accessible.

Yes, I think that I will try some feathers in the black borders. Thank you for the suggestion.

That's another great idea...Thank you.

As beautiful as this is and with you doing this without a pattern I am sure that whatever you come up with will be super. You have a lot of talent and this will be stunning when you are finished. BrendaK

Awwww...thank you. That is so sweet of you to say. I will try to be as creative as possible. I have a few ideas thanks to the suggestions here. Hopefully the old brain will start moving forwards soon! :D

I agree with this suggestion. Crosshatching is one of the two methods of quilting I can do. I sitd and ch, that's it. It's not as great as more advanced quilting but it works....and I think it would be effective on this quilt. BTW, it's a beautiful quilt.

I think that the squares invite something flowing like leaves and vines. I am working on one right now and it is coming up really cute.

Love your borders! Not often a bargello includes one, but this is a wonderful quilt. When you solve the quilting problem, please show us the final quilt.

If you quilt feathers in the body of the quilt take at least 2 rows of colors (if not more) to put the feathers in...making some large feathers. Have you searched here on the board for pictures of finished Bargello quilts or looked on Pinterest to get quilting ideas?

not sure how to quilt it but its beautiful!!!!

Your wonderful borders give this quilt an Indian blanket look, feathers would be appropriate, I think I would play up that look.

That is an interesting quilt. I wish I had enough nerve to do a bargello. Sorry I cannot help you on hand stitching.

the pattern undulates so how about the one that looks like a ocean wave.. have fun!!

Great quilt and I love your borders, but I don't I have any quilting ideas, sorry.

You are much braver than I . There are so many seams, I would be sending it off to be long-arm quilted. It is a beauty.

I think whatever you do it will end up great

I'd like to say a huge 'THANK YOU' to all. There have been great ideas to get me started. :)