At the most cut the strips into big blocks with a picture in the middle of each. I applique all the time in a random fashion (using a applique, not-so-wide stitch)and I think the way you have it now, or turning blocks so every other one is at right angles to the ones touching it on a side and putting the pictures in the middle is a great way to go. But the stripes uninterrupted are good, also. I just happen to like a lot of movement in my quilts. Your boy will love it either way, because it is a great boy quilt and it will be HIS!

I'm in the same school with Mrs M. To me the pictures of wildlife appliqued randomly over your beautiful strippy quilt look like they were an afterthought. I love your stippy quilt and I love your wildlife fabric but seeing it the way it is pictured upsets my inner sense of "chi" somehow. I can't pinpoint it exactly. I suppose if it was quilted all over it would probably look great though and the afterthought look that initially struck me would probably completely disappear. I don't mind modern but I am more orderly so random doesn't float my boat.

However, it is your quilt and you know what your grandson's likes and dislikes are, I am sure he will love it no matter what you decide.

I like the quilt. I would put them closer together, maybe even touching at a little point, and then applique them down.

Love your quilt and I hate to tell you but BOYS big or small only care that is covers them, strips or rail fence won't get noticed!!

Reminds me of a chuckle I had many years ago while driving several little girls home from a birthday party. We passed a field of cattle including one bull and one of the little girls said, "I know how to tell the boys from the girls!" I held my breath. "The boys have hairy bellybuttons!"
Laughed until I cried (in relief).

LADIES Thank you very, very much for your honest replies (I especially liked the compliments). The animals are material so I could applique them on. They are not an afterthought, it was a beginning thought. My Grandson is 18 years old, he loves to hunt and fish, a real out doors boy. The original idea was to do the rail pattern with the animals in it, but being a novice quilter I thought this would be easier, because they are of different sizes. The ones with the sharp edges have not been turned under yet. My confidence is grown 100 times because I got compliments from professionals on this board o.k. so its grown a little anyways thank you I so enjoy this board, and have learned a lot from it.
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